Self confidence is certainly a major ingredient in successful people. In order to develop self-confidence, you need to believe in your ability to achieve. Don't be afraid to try new things, to take reasonable risks, to make mistakes and then try again. Set your goals and work towards them without fear of failure. Each time you achieve your goal, you slowly build self-confidence.

There are a few tricks to help you get there

1-Positive self talk―this is when we keep telling ourselves; “We can do this”. For many, self talk contains negative messages. “I will never reach it”, I can’t do this… This is the message the brain receives. If we tell ourselves that we can’t do something, our brain starts working on this message. If we on the other hand tell ourselves that we can do what we set out to do, the brain now works on a different message. Try changing the way you talk to yourself, “Can do” instead of “Can’t do”. Engaging in positive self talk can reduce the production of stress hormones in stressful situations, and increase those that have a calming effect on your brain. More blood is directed towards the frontal lobe (the lobe responsible to think more clearly) and away from the amygdale, (a small structure in the brain programmed by evolution to heighten arousal by releasing stress hormones in the blood stream when we feel threatened or challenged).

2-Visualize achieving what you are striving for. This trick has been used for decades by our most successful athletes. Visualize in your mind very clearly achieving your goal. See every aspect of it, do you get an award? Are people congratulating you, or simply the way you feel when you achieve it. This will put your brain in motion to get there.

3- Watch confident people and mirror their body language. Sit and stand straight, move more slowly, talk with a deeper voice. Practice in the mirror. You can do this. Take charge. The more you repeat this body language, the more it will come natural to you, and become your habit. If you have a withdrawn posture, this is what comes naturally to you. However if you walk and talk confidently every day for a month, the brain gets rewired so that this is what comes naturally without thinking. Try it!

4-Read something every day―for example read on current events, topics of interest. Did you ever notice that people, who know a lot, speak more confidently? Did you ever notice how a group reacts towards those who speak without being knowledgeable about the topic? This eventually comes through and soon the person loses credibility. If you read and keep informed, you will be able to keep up with conversations, give an informed opinion.   Knowledge is very powerful, and one of the tricks that help you build self confidence.