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• How can we boost the confidence levels of our youth?

• We can discuss with them some small steps they can take to build confidence.

• By trying and reviewing various techniques we can provide a better understanding of how to gain confidence. 

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Boosting self-confidence is a major benefit of group coaching.

Confidence plays a critical role in almost every area of our lives.

It can affect how we react in many personal and professional areas.

Confident people see life from a positive view point. They tend to look for and find solutions. They take on what often seem to be insurmountable challenges.

This leads to the question, ‘How can we boost confidence?’

HOW TO BOOST CONFIDENCE:

• Starting small is a great approach. Baby steps work.

• There are many steps that can be taken.

• In an article in The Teen Mentor, Dr. Steve G. Jones outlines 17 simple habits to boost confidence.

• We can suggest that our youth try and implement some of them.

Here is a synopsis of the habits mentioned by Dr. Jones:

17 HABITS TO BOOST CONFIDENCE:

1) SURROUND YOURSELF WITH CONFIDENT PEOPLE:

• Spend more time with those who have a positive attitude.

• Spend less time with those who are not confident.

2) VISUALIZE BEING CONFIDENT:

• Adopt techniques that assist you to improve your self image.

• Visualization and meditation techniques are examples that can be used.

3) APPEARANCE:

• Wearing clothes that make you feel good, affect your confidence. They do not need to be expensive.

• Pay attention to having clean and well fitting clothes.

• Consider your overall grooming.

4) POSTURE:

• Those who stand tall and straight makes a positive impression on others.

• It also internalizes and affects your confidence as well.

5) STUDY YOURSELF:

• Become aware of how various situations affect you and make you feel.

• Journaling is an excellent exercise to assist in this regard.

• Meditation also helps you learn what is going on in your mind.

6) EXERCISE:

• Physical exercise has many positive benefits.

• It releases the feel good hormones.

• It can improve our appearance as well.

• Playing sports can have many benefits both mentally and physically.

• As you improve and meet goals you build confidence.

7) POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS:

• Think and say positive comments to yourself about your daily experiences.

• Telling yourself regularly that you are a confident and happy person can result in boosting your outlook.

8) GO OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE:

• Try new and scary things daily.

• Learn to do things that you normally would not do.

• This can lead to an enormous boost in confidence when we say, ‘I’ve never done this, but I’ll give it a try.’

9) RESEARCH, PREPARE AND BECOME INFORMED:

• When facing a challenge do your research.

• Become informed of the options and details of the challenge.

• Prepare and even rehearse prior to the event.

• Obtain some outside assistance if required.

10) REVIEW YOUR REACTION TO REJECTION:

• Put rejection, which can be debilitating, in a healthy perspective.

• Rejection is simply receiving a ‘no’ when we want a ‘yes’.

• Learn to avoid over reaction.

• Journaling can assist in this area.

• If it is a deeply seated fear, then seek outside assistance.

11) TAKE BABY STEPS:

• Don’t expect to master skills and achievements all at once.

• Keep track of your progress.

• Use your journal to track your progress.

• This boosts your confidence level enormously.

12) STOP PROCRASTINATING:

• Set yourself short achievable goals.

• Set up time blocks with no distractions allowed.

• Set a timer for 25 – 45 minutes and see how much you get done when you concentrate on one task without distractions.

• This builds enormous confidence.

13) SPEAK SLOWER:

• When you are nervous you tend to speak quickly.

• By slowing down and speaking with purpose, it tends to improve how people react to us.

• It also improves our self-confidence.

14) YOUR OPPORTUNITIES:

• Realize you have the same opportunities as others.

• The world offers us a variety of options.

• You can be as successful in your fields as others are in theirs.

• Work to discover your strengths and what you can contribute.

15) REDEFINE FAILURE:

• Review what is the worst that can happen.

• Realize what you can and have learned when things did not work out as originally planned.

• Find the ‘silver lining’.

• There are countless stories about how people failed many times prior to succeeding.

16) SAYING ‘NO’’:

• As you learn about your strengths and know your boundaries you realize when you should say yes or no.

• This helps ensure you are in positive reinforcing situations.

17) HELP OTHERS:

• There is much to be gained by assisting others.

• Volunteer, mentor or coach others and you will gain enormous self-confidence.

• This is a great way to not only help others, but help you gain a positive perspective on life.

HOW TO IMPLEMENT THESE HABITS:

• Review the above seventeen habits with your youth group.

• Brainstorm with them which one they could tackle first.

• Suggest they take one at a time.

• Don’t overwhelm them or be overly ambitious.

• Discuss how and when they would like to report and discuss their progress on the chosen habit.

• If none of the above habits help a person’s confidence we may suggest seeking outside help.

You can find a link to the full text of Dr. Steve G. Jones article below.

17 Simple Habits to Start Boosting Your Confidence Today by Dr. Steve G. Jones

Please share your ideas on how we can work with our youth and assist them to gain confidence. This will enable them to gain the communication and leadership skills required in the 21st Century.