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I have written many a lengthy article about confidence and self-esteem, but it occurred to me the other day that many some of you might be more interested in a quick and easy list of shortcuts you can do today to boost your confidence and your self-esteem.

We all know that building confidence is a lengthy process, something I’ve written about here and here, and that it takes dedication and time, but there are some things that you can do today that will certainly make you FEEL more confident.

Fake it till you make it they say, but for me, it’s more about getting the little things right, and building a solid foundation for yourself. Do these things right and you are already in a better position to success at the bigger more comprehensive changes that you might have to make. You know, the more scary things.

1. Make an effort with your appearance. 
   Cleanliness is next to godliness. In other words, wash your hair, wear clean clothes, brush your teeth, smell nice, look nice.  When I’m worried my breath smells, I automatically try and stand as far away from people as possible, and I keep my mouth shut. This makes me look stand-offish and unapproachable. 
2. Dress for success.
   Dress well and you will feel like you fit in.  When I wear jeans to an occasion only to see everyone else wearing formal clothes, I instantly feel self-conscious.
3. Keep a list of your achievements, no matter how small.
   This will remind you of all the things going well for you. Even when I climb just one floor of stairs, I note that down as an achievement, let’s face it, even if it’s just one floor, I’m still doing better than everyone else taking the lift.
4. Give yourself one compliment a day.
   It trains your mind to not think negatively all the time.  When I get dressed in the morning, while looking in the mirror, I quietly compliment myself for being well dressed and looking professional and successful.
5. Exercise.
   Physical exercise, no matter how small, releases stress and pumps endorphins (the happy hormone) around your body and brain and makes you feel better.  When I don’t exercise regularly, my body just becomes more and more tense, until I can’t fall asleep at night. This leads to me lying in bed thinking all kinds of negative thoughts, imagining the worst possible outcomes.
6. Accept compliments graciously.
   Don’t put yourself down, and don’t write it off as luck. You worked for it, so own it.
7. Don’t be a victim.
   Happiness is a choice.  Happy, confident people weren’t born like that, they became like that by making certain choices. I used to be a very moody grumpy person, but after years of deliberately thinking positive thoughts, the way I see life, and my place in it, has changed dramatically. You can do the same if you take charge of your mind and how you see the world.
8. Smile more.
   Studies prove that when you smile, your body releases endorphins. Also, smiling people are considered better looking. I definitely prefer to be around smiling people, I mean who wants to be around grumpy, miserable people? 
9. Keep a gratitude journal.
   Write down one thing that you are grateful for every day. Do this for a week. It makes me realise just how much I really have, and has the side-effect of making me more positive. And no-one can be confident without first being positive.
10. Eat healthy.
    Ever noticed how sluggish (and fat) you feel after eating a ton of junk food? I am incapable of feeling good about myself when I feel like that. 
11. Say no.
    Remind yourself it’s ok to say NO when you don’t want to do something. You are not a doormat, you are a human being with complex thoughts and feelings. When I say yes to things I don’t want to do, I end up feeling an inner turmoil that stays with me for days, and I just end up resenting the person I said yes to in the first place. They don’t deserve my resentment, and I don’t deserve to feel that way.
12. Stand up straight.
    Your grandmother was right about having a good posture.  There’s lots of evidence to support the fact that posture affects confidence.
13. Build on your accomplishments.
    People who achieve things feel confident in their own abilities. When I complete a difficult task, or when I go ahead and do something I was afraid of, I feel proud of myself and that gives me confidence to try even more things.
14. Be brave.
    Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and jump into the deep end and start swimming.  
15. Educate yourself.
    Not knowing enough about a topic will make you feel unsure of yourself. Read up on the topic so you have at least an idea of what it is about.  Nothing makes me feel more stupid than having no idea what a group of people are talking about, from lingo to acronyms. But when I read up even just a little bit, I can at least follow a conversation.