Self-doubt has always been my constant companion, always whispering in my ear that I’m not good enough. It was like a shadow I couldn’t shake off.

But then, I discovered a cache of confidence-boosting tricks that changed everything. I found ways to drown out the negative chatter with positivity and self-belief.

These 8 tricks have been my lifeline in overcoming self-doubt and building a strong, confident me. And I believe they can do the same for you.

1) Positive self-talk

I used to be my own worst critic, constantly picking at my flaws and mistakes. It’s a habit many of us can relate to.

Then, I discovered the power of positive self-talk. It’s the idea of consciously replacing the negative voices in your head with positive affirmations and thoughts.

Positive self-talk doesn’t mean ignoring your flaws. Instead, it’s about acknowledging them, but also recognizing your strengths and abilities. It’s like having an encouraging coach inside your head, always ready to cheer you on.

Think about how you would talk to a friend who’s doubting themselves. You’d likely be kind and supportive, right? Now apply the same kindness to yourself.

It took practice, but over time, this simple trick transformed my self-perception and boosted my confidence. And it can do the same for you.

2) Stepping out of my comfort zone

Self-doubt often thrives within the confines of our comfort zones. For years, it kept me from trying new things or taking risks.

Then, I decided to challenge myself. I took up a public speaking class, something that terrified me. I was filled with self-doubt at first – I worried about making a fool of myself, about stuttering or forgetting my lines.

But you know what? It wasn’t as scary as I thought. Yes, I made mistakes, I stumbled over my words a few times. But each time I did, I learned something new about myself and how to handle such situations.

With every speech, with every applause, my self-doubt started to fade a little, replaced by growing confidence.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is frightening but it’s also empowering. It’s proof that you are capable of more than you think.

Now, when self-doubt creeps in, I remind myself of the time I stood on that stage and delivered a speech to a room full of people.

If I could do that, what else could I achieve?

3) The power pose

Did you know your body language can actually influence your confidence levels?

Harvard social psychologist Amy Cuddy conducted a study on ‘power poses’, or body language that exudes confidence. She found that holding these poses for just two minutes can increase testosterone levels (associated with dominance and power) and decrease cortisol levels (associated with stress), leading to increased feelings of confidence.

So what’s a power pose? Think of Superman with his hands on his hips, or a CEO leaning back in her chair with her feet up on the desk. These poses signal to others and to ourselves that we are confident and in control.

Next time you’re feeling unsure of yourself, try striking a power pose. It might just give you the confidence boost you need.

4) Celebrating small victories

One of the most effective ways I found to combat self-doubt was to start acknowledging and celebrating my small victories.

We often focus on the big wins and overlook the small steps we take every day. But it’s these little steps that gradually add up and lead us to our ultimate goals.

Maybe you managed to finish a difficult task at work, or you finally started that book you’ve been meaning to read, or perhaps you stood up for yourself in a challenging situation. These are all victories worth celebrating!

Every time you acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small, you’re reinforcing your self-belief. You’re proving to yourself that you can do it, and this helps build your confidence over time.

So don’t wait for the big wins. Start recognizing and celebrating your small victories today.

5) Visualizing success

When self-doubt took over, I found myself always visualizing the worst-case scenarios. I realized that by doing this, I was setting myself up for failure before even starting.

So I decided to flip the script and began visualizing success instead.

Visualizing success is about mentally rehearsing your desired outcome. It’s like running a simulation in your mind where you see yourself achieving your goal successfully.

The more vivid the visualization, the better. Imagine the environment, the emotions, the sounds, and even the smells. Make it as real as possible.

This technique not only boosts confidence but also prepares you for the actual event. It’s like a dress rehearsal for your mind.

So whenever you’re battling self-doubt, take a moment to close your eyes and visualize yourself succeeding. You’ll be surprised at how much it can boost your confidence and performance.

6) Embracing failure

Failure can be a tough pill to swallow. It was for me. Every time I failed, it felt like a confirmation of my self-doubt. But then, I realized that failure isn’t an end, but a stepping stone to success.

Embracing failure is about understanding that it’s okay to fail, that it’s part of the journey to success. It’s about learning from our mistakes and using them as opportunities to grow.

When we accept that failure is a natural part of life and not something to be feared, we give ourselves permission to try, to take risks, and to learn. And this can significantly boost our confidence.

Remember, every successful person has faced failures. It’s not the absence of failure but their resilience and willingness to learn from these failures that led them to success.

So don’t let failure fuel your self-doubt. Instead, embrace it, learn from it, and let it fuel your journey towards success and self-confidence.

7) Accepting compliments gracefully

I used to be terrible at accepting compliments. Anytime someone praised me, I would downplay it or brush it off. I felt uncomfortable, and I didn’t believe I deserved the praise.

Then, I realized that by doing this, I was not only dismissing the other person’s kind gesture but also reinforcing my self-doubt.

So, I started to practice accepting compliments gracefully. The next time someone complimented me, instead of brushing it off, I simply said, “Thank you.” It felt weird at first, but over time it became easier.

Accepting compliments gracefully is an affirmation of your worth. It’s a way of saying to yourself and others, “Yes, I am worthy.” It’s a small act, but it can have a significant impact on your self-confidence.

If you struggle with accepting compliments like I did, just try saying “Thank you” next time. You might be surprised at how good it makes you feel.

8) Setting realistic goals

Setting unrealistic goals is a surefire way to fuel self-doubt. When our goals are too lofty or vague, we end up feeling overwhelmed and doubting our abilities.

That’s why it’s important to set realistic, achievable goals. And the best way to do this is to break down big goals into smaller, manageable steps.

For instance, if your goal is to write a book, start by setting a goal to write a page a day. This makes the task less daunting and helps build confidence as you achieve each small step.

Remember, achieving these small goals will not only bring you closer to your bigger goal but also boost your confidence along the way.