<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/07/overused-words-and-phrases-that-make-you-sound-weak-less-confident-according-to-grammar-experts.html">Confidence </a>isn’t a trait you’re born with. Its something we build and get better at every day with continuous practice.But sometimes we need to display confidence right in the moment. Here are some of my favorite psychological tricks to instantly look and feel more confident in front of other people:

Swap out weak words and expressions like "I think", "I'm not sure" and "in my opinion" for ones that puts you in charge of the thought, and make you come across as more calm and capable.

Don't Use Words And Expressions That Make You Sound Unsure

Right before you do something you feel nervous about, try reliving a previous experience where you had an optimal level of energy, focus and achievement.Replay and review the event in your mind. What were you doing? Who was there? What was the response you got from others? How did you feel when it was over?Take that positive energy and confidence with you back to the present.

Relive A Time When You Felt Confident

Confidence comes from believing in yourself, your own abilities, and where you are in your personal journey. Don’t go on social media when you’re feeling unsure of yourself or when you’re about to do something challenging. Its so easy to fall prey to posts that for the most part do not reflect reality. Comparing yourself to people who are only sharing the “glamorous” side of their lives makes it difficult to clearly see the positive side of yours. Instead, grab a journal and write about the things you’ve accomplished that you’re proud of.

Get Off Social Media

<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/science/clothes-and-self-perception.html">Studies </a>have shown that the clothes we wear can effect our cognitive processes. They can increase our performance and heighten other people’s impressions of us.Wear that dress, suit, pair of jeans, or piece of jewelry that makes you feel fabulous and powerful. Wear these things when you need a quick confidence boost or are having a dull day.

Put On Your 'Power Suit

<div dir="ltr"><time data-testid="published-timestamp" datetime="2022-02-04T16:30:32+0000" itemprop="datePublished" dir="ltr">Published Fri, Feb 4 202211:30 AM EST</time><time data-testid="lastpublished-timestamp" datetime="2022-02-04T20:17:28+0000" itemprop="dateModified" dir="ltr">Updated Fri, Feb 4 20223:17 PM EST</time></div><div>Tara Moore | Getty</div><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/07/overused-words-and-phrases-that-make-you-sound-weak-less-confident-according-to-grammar-experts.html" dir="ltr">Confidence</a> isn’t a trait you’re born with. Just like the muscles in your body, it’s something we build and get better at every day with continuous practice.There are several ways to work on building confidence in the long run, such as knowing your values and practicing positive thinking.But sometimes we need to display confidence right in the moment. Here are some of my favorite psychological tricks to instantly look and feel more confident in front of other people:<h2>1. Reverse negative assumptions</h2>Without realizing it, we often make assumptions about the skills we lack.Let’s say you’ve always felt shy growing up, so speaking up in front of others now, as an adult, feels like something you’d be terrible at. Unfortunately, your boss has asked you to do a team presentation.Challenge the negative beliefs you have about yourself by reversing them. This can be as easy as saying to yourself every day: “I am an excellent public speaker, and people want to hear my ideas.”Keep repeating it in your head or saying it out loud. You’ll find yourself feeling less anxious and more prepared.<h2>2. Don’t say ‘I think’ or ‘I’m not sure’</h2>Swap out weak words and phrases for ones that will make you come across as more professional and capable.When talking to others, avoid starting or ending sentences with “I think” or “I’m not sure.” Instead, use “I believe,” which puts you in charge of the thought and conveys a calm surety.Other phrases like “in my opinion” also make you sound less confident. Just cut to the chase and remove the unnecessary intros.<h2>3. Remember a time when you felt confident</h2>Right before you do something that you feel nervous about, try a visualization exercise in which you replay a previous experience where you had an optimal level of energy, focus and achievement.Review the event in your mind. What were you doing? Who was there? What was the response you got from others? How did you feel when it was over? Take that positive energy and confidence with you back to the present.<h2>4. Get off social media</h2>It’s so easy to waste time on social media and compare yourself others. But remember, those posts or videos you see don’t always reflect reality. Nobody’s life is perfect.Confidence comes from believing in yourself, your own abilities, and where you are in your personal journey. Comparing yourself to people who only sharing the “glamorous” things in their lives makes it impossible to see your own achievements clearly.Don’t go on social media when you’re feeling unsure of yourself or when you’re about to do something challenging. Instead, grab a journal and write about the things you’ve done that you’re proud of.<h2>5. Wear something that makes you feel powerful</h2>We have all “that outfit” — a dress, suit, pair of jeans, piece of jewelry — that make us feel fabulous and powerful. Wear these things when you need a quick confidence boost or are having a dull day.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/science/clothes-and-self-perception.html" dir="ltr">Studies</a> have shown that the clothes we wear can effect our cognitive processes. They can increase your performance and heighten other people’s impressions of you.<a href="https://www.tessbrighamcoaching.com/" dir="ltr">Tess Brigham</a>&nbsp;is a San Francisco-based psychotherapist and certified life coach. She has more than 10 years of experience in the field and primarily works with millennials and millennial parents.Don’t miss:

Sometimes we need a quick confidence-booster

Need to feel confident quickly? A psychotherapist shares some mental hacks to make you appear more self-empowered and confident in front of others.

<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/07/overused-words-and-phrases-that-make-you-sound-weak-less-confident-according-to-grammar-experts.html">Confidence </a>isn’t a trait you’re born with. Just like the muscles in your body, it’s something we build and get better at every day with continuous practice.

There are several ways to work on building confidence in the long run, such as knowing your values and practicing positive thinking.

But sometimes we need to display confidence right in the moment. Here are some of my favorite psychological tricks to instantly look and feel more confident in front of other people:

Without realizing it, we often make assumptions about the skills we lack.

Let’s say you’ve always felt shy growing up, so speaking up in front of others now, as an adult, feels like something you’d be terrible at. Unfortunately, your boss has asked you to do a team presentation.

Challenge the negative beliefs you have about yourself by reversing them. This can be as easy as saying to yourself every day: “I am an excellent public speaker, and people want to hear my ideas.”

Keep repeating it in your head or saying it out loud. You’ll find yourself feeling less anxious and more prepared.

2. Don’t say ‘I think’ or ‘I’m not sure’

Swap out weak words and phrases for ones that will make you come across as more professional and capable.

When talking to others, avoid starting or ending sentences with “I think” or “I’m not sure.” Instead, use “I believe,” which puts you in charge of the thought and conveys a calm surety.

Other phrases like “in my opinion” also make you sound less confident. Just cut to the chase and remove the unnecessary intros.

3. Remember a time when you felt confident

Right before you do something that you feel nervous about, try a visualization exercise in which you replay a previous experience where you had an optimal level of energy, focus and achievement.

Review the event in your mind. What were you doing? Who was there? What was the response you got from others? How did you feel when it was over?

Take that positive energy and confidence with you back to the present.

It’s so easy to waste time on social media and compare yourself others. But remember, those posts or videos you see don’t always reflect reality. Nobody’s life is perfect.

Confidence comes from believing in yourself, your own abilities, and where you are in your personal journey. Comparing yourself to people who only sharing the “glamorous” things in their lives makes it impossible to see your own achievements clearly.

Don’t go on social media when you’re feeling unsure of yourself or when you’re about to do something challenging. Instead, grab a journal and write about the things you’ve done that you’re proud of.

5. Wear something that makes you feel powerful

We have all “that outfit” — a dress, suit, pair of jeans, piece of jewelry — that make us feel fabulous and powerful. Wear these things when you need a quick confidence boost or are having a dull day.

<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/science/clothes-and-self-perception.html">Studies </a>have shown that the clothes we wear can effect our cognitive processes. They can increase your performance and heighten other people’s impressions of you.

<a href="https://www.tessbrighamcoaching.com/">Tess Brigham </a> is a San Francisco-based psychotherapist and certified life coach. She has more than 10 years of experience in the field and primarily works with millennials and millennial parents.

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Bite-sized knowledge
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5 Tricks that will make you look and feel more confident, according to a psychotherapist

Don't Use Words And Expressions That Make You Sound Unsure

Relive A Time When You Felt Confident

Get Off Social Media

Put On Your 'Power Suit

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Bite-sized knowledgeto upgradeyour career

5 Tricks that will make you look and feel more confident, according to a psychotherapist

Don't Use Words And Expressions That Make You Sound Unsure

Relive A Time When You Felt Confident

Get Off Social Media

Put On Your 'Power Suit

IDEAS ABOUT

MORE LIKE THIS

Confidence Killers: 5 Habits You Should Give Up to Feel More Confident

10 Habits You Should Give Up to Feel More Confident

Lead by Example - Confident Parents Raise Confident Kids

It's time to

READ

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A PRO!

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career