Some degree of low self-confidence plagues everyone at some point. If you have ever been the victim of job loss, your self-confidence has probably been shaken or, in some cases, totally shattered. Why me? I guess I just didn't measure up! These are negative thoughts and counter-productive. To restore or improve self-confidence, you will need to acknowledge the problem and proceed with determination to take positive steps to resolve the problem. Self-confidence affects every area of your life. If you are unemployed or under-employed, strong healthy self-confidence is absolutely vital to your success. Although your self-confidence may have been affected by circumstances beyond your control (unemployment, for example), there are many proactive ways to improve self-confidence. Remember, self-confidence affects your mental, physical and emotional health and your investment of time and energy in self-improvement will be well spent. So, let's get started.

The first step on this journey is acknowledgement of the problem. Then you must make the decision that you can change and make the commitment to yourself that it starts today. A huge part of any change or improvement takes place in your mind. Taking control of your mind and the negative thoughts that often run wild is a giant step in the right direction. This means you will be doing a lot of self-talk as your self-confidence increases. This self-talk is also known as "positive affirmations". These affirmations can be verbal or silent but need to be repeated frequently, consistently and with emotion. For example: I am intelligent. I am capable. I feel positive and confident. With repetition and over time, these positive affirmations will sink into your subconscious mind and one day, you will really feel positive and confident.

Another action step you can take is preparation - always "be prepared". If you are employed, be sure you are prepared for the work day. Whether you have a big assignment due or a simple task, be sure you are prepared and ready to meet your deadlines. This will reduce stress at work and will improve your finished product whether it is a major presentation for the company or a simple memo. Preparation for your work and refusal to procrastinate will result in a great finished product. Knowing that you were ready for the assignment and completed the task to the best of your ability will result in personal pride and an increase in self-confidence. It is important to strive to be a person of excellence. If you are unemployed, preparation for the job search and job interviews will reduce your stress and build your confidence. When you approach a job interview well prepared, the possibility of a successful outcome is significantly greater.

Another way to improve self-confidence is to expand your knowledge and improve your skills. Consider taking a class to learn more about a subject that interests you. This will improve your ability to engage in intelligent conversation with others and boost your self-confidence. If you need more training in a skill that affects your career, take a class or attend a seminar. As your skill level improves so does your self-confidence. The current job market demands employees with excellent skills that will be top performers and add value to the company.

As your self-confidence grows, you will find yourself handling stressful situations with a calm mind. Each time you successfully handle difficult situations (big or small), your self-confidence is strengthened. Your calmness enables you to think clearly and use your ability to successfully complete the task at hand. Over time, these small steps will provide the self-confidence you need to achieve your goals, both professional and personal. You will feel positive about yourself and your life and will move forward with the expectation of total success. So, don't procrastinate; the sooner you begin to improve your self-confidence, the sooner you will enjoy more success in your life.

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