Photo: Marcus Silva

How can I train my brain to be confident?

5 Ways to Train Your Brain and Boost Your Self-Esteem Stop comparing other people's strengths to your weaknesses. ... Use insecurities to your advantage. ... Caring about what people think about you is good. ... You think people know more about you than they actually do. ... Confidence comes from action, not outcome.

entrepreneur.com - 5 Ways to Train Your Brain and Boost Your Self-Esteem - Entrepreneur

Who was the last baby born in 1999?

STAMFORD -- Ten years ago, at 10:21 p.m. on New Year's Eve in 1999, Keisha Nielsen gave birth to the last Stamford baby of the century. Destiny Day...

Last updated Oct 24, 2019

What is the oil of salvation?

The Oil of Catechumens, also known as the Oil of Exorcism, is the oil used in some traditional Christian churches during baptism; it is believed to...

Last updated Jun 13, 2019

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

It can be hard to tell if someone is truly confident, or just good at hiding their insecurities. Often we find that the loudest, most boisterous people are often the most self-conscious. In psychology, the term self-esteem is used to describe a person's overall sense of self-worth or their personal value. Self-esteem can involve a variety of beliefs such as the opinion of one's own appearance, beliefs, emotions and behaviors. At the end of the day, it boils down to how confident you are with yourself, your career and your relationships. When beliefs about our own abilities are limiting, they can begin to consume our mind. Sometimes to the point where they become an insecurity. Over time it can get worse, as the negative feeling that comes along with the insecurity hangs on to our conscience.

Related: 10 Ways to Become a More Confident Person (Infographic)

Eventually, our brain begins to associate that feeling to other unrelated areas of our lives. Before we know it, this insecurity that stemmed from one incident is now infecting everything we do. Because of this it can be difficult to determine the root cause of an inter-related issue like that. Here are five ways to help you eliminate your insecurities and elevate your confidence.

1. Stop comparing other people's strengths to your weaknesses.

Often when our self esteem is not solidified, we create this vulnerable identity that is affected by the situations we are in and the people we are around. When entering social settings, we end up getting into this habit of recognizing how good people are at things, and how we don't match up. "Wow that person is much better at speaking than me," "That person exudes way more confidence," "That leader has so much more charisma and influence," etc. Unfortunately, what we don't realize is that no matter who we are around, we are constantly trying to identify where we are lacking. Over time, this process literally trains your brain to disregard your strengths, and it puts you into a reactive mental state which in the end causes stress and wreaks havoc on your performance. It's imperative to start appreciating other people's strengths. Instead of seeing them as competition, consider it an opportunity to learn how you can develop your own skills. This new perspective will change your demeanor, relax your mind and help regulate your emotions. Your brain learns from repetition, so begin doing this immediately and over time it will become second nature.

Which star is for wealth?

Virgo, the maiden star, is one of the wealthiest zodiac signs, with a high chance of financial prosperity. This is why. They are perfectionists by...

Last updated Aug 14, 2018

Why is the Om sound so powerful?

Om is the seed of transcendental sound, and it is through transcendental sound one can transform the mind and the senses. By chanting Om, the mind...

Last updated Jan 30, 2019

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Always remember the saying: "If you're the smartest person in the room, then you're in the wrong room."

2. Use insecurities to your advantage.

Look at any insecurity you have as a clue. Yes they are not enjoyable, but they are a symptom to a root cause. Recognizing where your thoughts, feelings and actions intersect in different areas of your life can uncover the underlying issue. I was working with a client who noticed that she was very confident at work and around her colleagues but felt insecure in her relationship. Issues like this are hard to identify but don't necessarily mean you're with the wrong person. We discovered that what she values most and what makes her feel good is recognition. If she is recognized for her actions, it makes her feel validated and appreciated. Fortunately for her, she was doing well at her job and was being praised by everyone there. Work was great! However, when she went home, her husband had stopped verbalizing what he appreciated about her. He still loved her, but in his mind he felt that she just knew it. So after she told him that recognition was vital to her existence, he immediately changed his approach to their relationship. Now she feels confident at work and around him.

Ask yourself -- how do you know when you're doing a good job? What has to happen in order for you to feel accomplished, happy or loved? Are these things happening in your life?

Related: 12 Things Truly Confident People Do Differently

3. Caring about what people think about you is good. Worrying about what they think is pointless. In social settings, many people determine their feelings and actions based on how others treat them. They rely on others to determine their own personal value and self-worth. It is a limiting thought pattern that gives them no control over any situation. To eliminate this, first understand that if you are generally interested in others and treat them with respect, there isn't much more you can do in the moment. Be confident that you put your best foot forward, and if it's not being reciprocated, move on. Always focus on your intent. If your intent is honest, then simply treat everyone the same way you expect to be treated.

Does Jesus have a son?

Jacobovici and Pellegrino argue that Aramaic inscriptions reading "Judah, son of Jesus", "Jesus, son of Joseph", and "Mariamne", a name they...

Last updated Nov 4, 2018

What zodiac has beautiful eyes?

Which zodiac sign has the most beautiful eyes? The Leo zodiac sign is blessed with the most attractive eyes. Aug 23, 2021

Last updated Sep 6, 2019

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

4. You think people know more about you than they actually do.

If there is something you are insecure about in your life, chances are you've spent a lot of time thinking about it. Every time something triggers that insecurity, you become abundantly aware of it! Understand that thinking about it so much has conditioned your brain to pick up on hints in your environment that could be related to this insecurity. By being on high alert all the time, your brain becomes hyper sensitive to everything as it tries to protect you. Over time, you often begin to think that other people can see your lack of confidence and are aware of your insecurities. You can reassure yourself that no one knows. You've just been living with this for so long, that you see your insecurity reflecting in everything that people say and how they act.

5. Confidence comes from action, not outcome.

The first step to personal change is awareness. Now that you are aware of these underlying thought patterns, you can begin to take action. But always remember that confidence is built in the action you take, not the result it produces. Stop relying on the outcomes of situations or the reactions of others to determine if you can feel good or not. Train your brain to feel confident without needing to see the result first. This will give you full control over your self-esteem, so you are no longer vulnerable to people or circumstance.

Related: 7 Mindsets at the Foundation of Entrepreneurial Success

entrepreneur.com - 5 Ways to Train Your Brain and Boost Your Self-Esteem - Entrepreneur

Why do babies smile during sleep?

A baby smiling in their sleep is a completely normal reaction and an expected part of their development. If your child frequently smiles in their...

Last updated Feb 6, 2020

Who holds the wealth by generation?

The average 64-75-year-old American is 94% wealthier than the average 35-year-old. Today's 40-year-olds own half the wealth of older generations...

Last updated Oct 4, 2019

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Who has the most views in 1 hour?

BTS's latest single “Butter” has broken “Dynamite's” record as the fastest video to reach 10 million views on YouTube. “Butter” has also beat...

Last updated Apr 21, 2021

Awaken your dormant DNA ability to attract wealth effortlessly

The simple yet scientifically proven Wealth DNA method laid out in the report allows you to effortlessly start attracting the wealth and abundance you deserve.

Learn More »

Promotion

Who is most powerful god?

Indra also called Śakra, the supreme god, is the first of the 33, followed by Agni.

Last updated Apr 9, 2018