Articles (2007-2008):

Steps for a better self

Everyday outside the work environment, there are stories documenting the pressure of the ever-faster pace of life that leaves individuals with poor life balance feeling they have little or no time for personal interests, relationships, family, or even health.  In this situation, it is easy to lose sight of what is important and to find it difficult to know which direction to take to make things better.
          

Because self confidence and feeling good has a major 'hormonal' element, you can change the way you feel by re-living good times. If you can remember a time you felt really self confident, then excellent - use that! If not, then use a time you felt contented or happy. Taking deliberate control of your thoughts and emotions will have a huge impact on your self confidence and other areas of your life.

When you feel self-conscious, (you can usually tell because you start to feel anxious), choose something outside of yourself to focus on and study it in detail. For example: examine a door, look at the different textures and shades of color, wonder about who made it and how and so on. The important thing is that you're learning how to keep your attention off yourself.

Social self confidence can be difficult to find sometimes because it is unclear what you are 'supposed to do'. In this event, concentrate on what your purpose in the situation is. People are often most comfortable with others when working towards a common goal. The common goal of socializing could be making friends, the exchange of mutually beneficial information, expanding your knowledge of different types of people... it could be whatever you want it to be! The key is to have an aim. Challenging your own assumptions about yourself and other people can really help build self confidence.      

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