Confidence is something that many people talk about, but what is it really? Some people believe that confidence comes from within. Others believe that confidence can be learned.
Confidence is a trait, and it’s something that we both inherit and develop in response to our environments. It’s also a skill and something that we can work on and improve over time. There are many things that we can do to boost our confidence, even if we didn’t grow up with it.
In this blog post, we will discuss ways in which you can develop confidence, even if you don’t feel like it’s something that comes naturally to you.
Is Confidence a Trait or a Skill?
It’s both. Some people are born with more confidence than others, just like some people are born with different talents and personality traits. Yet, it’s also something that we can learn over time.
A trait is defined as a “personality characteristic that is seen in a person consistently.” Therefore, a trait isn’t set in stone and isn’t only developed genetically. You can learn skills that improve confidence over time or may have these developed in you as a young child depending on the family and social environment in which you grew up.
If you identify as an outgoing, dominant, or confident person, it might be because you inherited those traits. If you identify as introverted or less confident than others, then that could also be genetics.
However, what we do with these personality traits is up to us and can change over time depending on our circumstances and environment.
What Makes a Person Confident?
In order to become more confident, we must first look at the building blocks of confidence. What are the traits, habits, and behaviors of a confident person?
There is no single answer to this question because confidence comes in many shapes and sizes. However, there are some general factors that can affect how much confidence a person will have and how they express this confidence.
The amount of confidence that we have is directly related to our perception, which means that the way in which we think about ourselves and others has a huge impact on our overall sense of self-worth.
As such, there are many things that can affect how confident you feel:
Your Family’s Background and Genetics
The way that your family behaves and communicates can have a big impact on your confidence. If you grew up in an environment where it was always “dog-eat-dog,” or if you were constantly put down by those around you, then it’s likely that you won’t feel very confident.
This is because our families are one of the first social groups that we interact with. Therefore, they can have a huge impact on our overall well-being throughout our lives. Your family’s influence is something that will affect you from your early childhood all the way into adulthood and even old age, although there are many things you can do to change it.
Your Socio-Economic Status
Your socioeconomic status can also play a role in how confident you feel. If you come from a wealthy family, then you might have more opportunities in life and feel like you can do anything. This is because your wealth gives you privilege and power, which are two factors that contribute to confidence.
However, if you come from a poor family, then you might not feel as empowered and more like a victim of the circumstances around you. This type of environment can lead to lower self-esteem and less confidence overall.
Your Educational Background
Your educational background can also affect your confidence. If you come from a wealthy or hardworking family, then it’s likely that you received some sort of formal education as a child and had the opportunity to attend college or another institution of higher learning.
There are other types of learning that can embody confidence, such as a vocational trade, martial arts, or having a career in the military. All educational environments teach you how to interact with a wide diversity of people, and also provide useful networking opportunities.
For those who don’t have access to formal education, it may be harder to develop confidence in the traditional ways. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are many other types of learning and knowledge outside of the classroom that can help you gain confidence.
Your Health & Physical Well-Being
Your physical well-being can also affect your confidence. If you are physically fit and have a good appearance, then it’s likely that you will feel more confident in social situations.
However, if you are not as physically attractive as others or suffer from an illness or disability, then it may be harder for you to feel confident. This is because our physical appearance is one of the first things that people notice about us, and it can be a major contributor to how confident we feel.
Your Career
Your career or job is another factor that can affect your confidence. If you are in a high-status position, then it’s likely that you will feel more confident because of the respect and power associated with your role. However, if you have an average or low-paying job without much responsibility, then this may lead to lower self-esteem and a lack of confidence.
This is because our careers are one of the main ways that we interact with society and contribute to the world around us. If you don’t feel good about what you do for a living, then it will be harder for you to feel confident in other areas of your life as well.
Media Images
The media can also have a big impact on how confident we feel. If you constantly see images of people who are perfect and have the “ideal” body, then it’s likely that you will feel bad about yourself. Social media also has a way of making us feel like we’re not good enough because we constantly compare our lives to the perfect images that are posted online.
Your Community
If we look at our friendships, it’s clear that they also play a large role in how confident we are. If your friends are supportive and positive, then you’ll likely feel more confident about yourself. If they constantly put you down or make fun of your choices and life decisions, then this can affect how much confidence we have in ourselves as well.
Discrimination
Discrimination can also play a big role in your confidence. If you are part of an oppressed group, then it’s likely that you will feel less confident than others because of the social stigma associated with your race or culture.
This is because our society tends to favor certain races, genders, religions, sexual orientations, etc. It makes us feel good when we are around people who look like us and have the same traits as ourselves. However, it’s also important to consider that you can sympathize with others in your community even if they aren’t exactly alike or share the same experiences as you.
Your Confidence Level
In the end, your confidence level is a result of all of these different factors combined. It’s not just one thing that determines how confident we are in ourselves – it’s a mix of our life experiences, the people we associate with, and the messages we receive from society.
However, it’s important to remember that we can always work on building our confidence, no matter where we are starting from.
What Are the Qualities of a Confident Person?
Confident People Regularly Speak Up
One of the most obvious things about confident people is that they aren’t afraid to speak up. They have no problem sharing their opinions and don’t shy away from a challenge. They communicate with clarity, which makes them appear comfortable within themselves.
Confident People Are Assertive
Another trait of confident people is that they are assertive. This means that they aren’t afraid to take charge and make decisions. They know what they want and aren’t afraid to ask for it, even if that means going after something bigger or better than what is already available.
Confident People Believe in Themselves
People who are confident believe in themselves and don’t constantly doubt their abilities. Even when things get tough, a confident person doesn’t focus on the negative. Instead, they take any failure as a learning experience and use it to propel themselves forward.
Confident People Are Happy in Their Own Skin
The final trait of confident people is that they are happy in their own skin. They don’t need the approval of others to feel good about themselves and are comfortable in their own company.
Confident People Set Personal Goals, Not Comparative Ones
One of the key things that sets confident people apart from others is their focus on personal goals as opposed to comparative ones. Confident people don’t compare themselves to others. Instead, they set goals for themselves and work hard to achieve them.
What Can We Do to Boost Confidence?
There are a number of different things that we can do to boost our confidence, even if it isn’t something that comes naturally to us:
Remember That We Are All Unique
The first step to boosting confidence is remembering that you are a special and unique person. Everyone has their own strengths, weaknesses, quirks, interests, etc. The key is embracing them rather than hiding them away because they make us different from other people. Being confident will never be about being the same as someone else.
Fake it ’til You Make It!
Once you’ve embraced your individuality, the next step is to start acting confident even if you don’t feel it at first. This doesn’t mean that you have to be someone you’re not – just act like the person you want to become. Stand up straight, make eye contact, and smile!
Challenge Yourself
A great way to boost confidence is to challenge yourself. Take on new tasks and push yourself to do better. This can be something as simple as learning a new skill or taking on a new responsibility at work.
Set Goals, Not Comparative Ones
As mentioned earlier, one of the key things that set confident people apart from others is their focus on personal goals rather than comparative ones. They don’t compare themselves to others and instead set goals for personal improvement.
Practice Kindness All Around You
Finally, the last thing that anyone can do to boost their confidence is by practicing kindness towards everyone around them. Be nice at work, be kind in your relationships with friends and family members – even if you’re not feeling
Final Thoughts
So, is confidence a trait? In some ways, it definitely can be. But it’s also something that can change over time and fluctuate depending on our life circumstances. The key is to focus on the things that you can change and improve, no matter where you are starting from.