Guest Author - Jennifer Minekheim

Is a lack of confidence keeping you from meeting your personal and professional goals? Does low self-esteem decrease your enjoyment of social situations? The way we feel inside often has a lot to do with how we are perceived on the outside. Low self-esteem is something that can permeate every aspect of our lives, impeding us from living up to our potential.

Many of us struggle to look and feel like strong, confident individuals. Low self-worth can stop people from making new friends, finding the love of their life, or getting their dream job. Although anyone can suffer from periods of low self-esteem, some people struggle with it throughout their lives. Here are some tips to help anyone look and feel more confident!

First impressions are very important. Sometimes people’s opinions of us are formed before we even say a word. Every day when you wake up, take a shower and get dressed in clean, neat clothing. Personal grooming habits tell a lot about a person. If you can’t take care of your own most basic needs, how can you be trusted to take care of anything else? Even if you don’t plan to leave the house, it’s important to look presentable. The one time you don’t brush your teeth and are hanging around in your pajamas at noon is when your next door neighbor or the cute delivery man will drop by.

Dress in clothes that fit and flatter your body type. If you feel uncomfortable, that will make you more likely to fidget, which is a huge no-no! Invest in a few basic professional pieces that you can mix and match for both work and social occasions, and appropriate shoes to match. If you feel like you fit in, you will feel more at ease in any situation. Employers also look at your fingernails. Keep them clean, trimmed, and don’t bite them. Body language is just as important as how we dress or do our hair.

When you meet someone for the first time, stand up straight, look him or her in the eye, and smile! Poor posture makes us look unconfident and unattractive. Stand or sit still— try to keep your hands away from your mouth and your hair when you are talking. Even if you look fabulous, these habits can cause people to form a bad impression of you. Consider this—when you are talking to someone who is obviously very nervous, it makes you nervous too, right?

People are drawn to people who project warmth and confidence. This means no mumbling! Make your speech clear and concise. Try to avoid words like “umm” or “uh-huh” and phrases such as “you know”. Trust me; I know these habits are hard to break. If you feel like your speech habits are impeding your goals at work or in life, take a public speaking class at a local college. There are also clubs such as Toastmasters, an organization formed to help people hone their communication and leadership skills through public speaking. Check your local newspaper or go to www.toastmasters.org to find a meeting near you.

Lastly, know your worth! You are just as good as anyone else, and have something valuable to contribute. Follow these simple tips today, join the conversation, and have fun!