Look, here’s the truth: you’re awesome. You just are. You’ve got strengths, talents, abilities, and experiences that help make the world a better place. You do that thing you do in a way that no one else can, and it’s seriously amazing.

Perhaps there are some situations in which you find it difficult to tune into your indisputable awesomeness. Even if you have a deep sense of self-assurance, maybe there are times when you can’t quite seem to turn it on.

We all have specific areas of our lives that seem to rattle our sense of self. While it often seems like the world is divided into two groups – those with confidence and those without – the fact is that there are individuals who are simply more practiced at the art of projecting confidence. It’s a skill, one that can develop. The great thing about practicing this particular skill is that it actually leads to a deeper sense of belief in yourself. Think of your confidence as a muscle you can strengthen, and one that deserves to be strengthened because, again, you’re incredible.

STOP ALL CRITICISM

Criticism never changes a thing. Accept yourself as you are. Everybody changes, and when you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.

DO NOT SCARE YOURSELF

Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure and immediately switches your negative thought to a positive one.

BE GENTLE, KIND AND PATIENT

Be gentle with yourself. Be kind with yourself. Be patient with yourself as you learn your own ways of thinking.

BE KIND TO YOUR MIND

Self-hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Don’t hate for having the scary thoughts, but gently change them.

PRAISE YOURSELF

Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. Praise builds it up. Tell yourself how well you’re doing with every little action.

SUPPORT YOURSELF

Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. It shows strength to ask for help.

BE LOVING TO YOUR NEGATIVES

Acknowledge that you have created them to fulfill a need. As you find new, positive ways to fulfill those needs, you can release the old negative patterns

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY

Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercise. What kind of exercise can you enjoy? Exercising not have to be unenjoyable find something to suit your personality. Cherish and revere the person you are.

MIRROR WORK

Look into your eyes often. Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself while looking into the mirror. Practice talking to your parents while looking into the mirror. Forgive them, too. At least once a day say “I love you.”

DO IT NOW

Don’t wait until you get well, lose the weight, get the new job, or the new relationship. Begin now – and do the best you can.

Sometimes it’s hard to get that self-confidence rolling, but your body is the only one you will ever have, so embrace it in all of its glory.