A positive self-image does more than simply make you feel
good about yourself; other people will notice your
confidence and respect and admire you for it. Getting people
to recognize your high confidence can be easy by avoiding
several key behaviors that are generally associated with low
confidence.

1. Avoid over explaining your actions

People who lack confidence tend to over explain their
actions, even accidents, as if they are to blame for them
and have to apologize. For example, if during a meeting you
drop several folders, causing the papers to scatter, avoid
trying to explain it away.

A confident person will simply laugh off their clumsiness
and pick up the folders. A person with low confidence may
blame dropping the folders on having too much coffee or not
enough sleep. Really, it was just an accident that could
happen to anyone.

2. Accept constructive criticism gracefully

Criticism is a normal part of everyone’s life and in many
cases it is justified. Listen to the criticism and respond
to it if it is valid. If it is not, then simply move on.
This is how someone with high confidence would respond.

Conversely, someone with low confidence is likely to try
and explain away their error or place the blame for the
mistake elsewhere.

3. Know your weaknesses and accept them.

It is a simple fact of life that everyone has weaknesses. A
person with low confidence will often over compensate for
their weaknesses. Avoid doing these by taking an honest
inventory of your weaknesses and accepting them. After all,
no-one is perfect.

4. Be aware of your posture

If you have high confidence, you are unlikely to have
defensive body language. Defensive body language, like
folding your arms and crossing your legs, are mechanism
common used by people with low confidence, so avoid it,
especially in a confrontational situation.

5. Focus on goals, not perfection

Confident people do not waste their time trying to be
perfect; instead they focus their attention on being
successful in their goals. If a highly confident person
receives a B on a test, they may aim for an A next time and
will be satisfied with their B as something from which they
can learn.

A person with low confidence is likely to come unglued with
anything other than 100%. Do not aim for perfection.

It may seem silly to say this, but learning to act like a
confident person will actually help you become a confident
person. By practicing behaviors common to people with high
confidence, you will train your subconscious mind to believe
you are confident and capable, and you will become more
confident and capable as a result.

You will soon find yourself being confident, not just acting
confident. Avoid explaining your actions and learn to accept
your weaknesses. You aren’t perfect and no-one expects you
to be.

Learn to accept constructive criticism gracefully and throw
the rest out. Practice open body language. Don’t be
defensive in the way you hold yourself, it screams out low
confidence. Finally, focus on goals without trying to be
perfect. No-one can be perfect all of the time, so don’t try
to be.

These simple tips will help you obtain high confidence in
which you are as a person. You will be more successful as a
result of it.