50 Things You Can Do Today to Boost Your Confidence

132 Pages·2013·1.03 MB·English

by  Wendy Green

50 things you can do
today to boost
your confidence
Foreword by Simone Ryder, Founder of SWIB
(Supporting Women in Business), Professional Coach,
Author and Trainer in Confidence and Self-
Empowerment
Wendy Green

PERSONAL HEALTH GUIDES
50 THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY TO BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE
Copyright © Wendy Green, 2013
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced by any means, nor transmitted, nor translated into a machine
language, without the written permission of the publishers.
Wendy Green has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with sections
77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
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Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this book is accurate and current at the time of
publication. The author and the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any misuse or misunderstanding
of any information contained herein, or any loss, damage or injury, be it health, financial or otherwise,
suffered by any individual or group acting upon or relying on information contained herein. None of the
opinions or suggestions in this book is intended to replace medical opinion. If you have concerns about your
health, please seek professional advice.
To my husband Gordon,
thanks for being so supportive
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Claire Plimmer for commissioning this title. I’d also like to
thank Simone Ryder, Founder of SWIB (Supporting Women in Business), for
kindly agreeing to write the foreword. I’m also grateful to Anna Martin and
Elanor Clarke for their very helpful editorial input.
Other titles in the Personal Health Guides
series include:
50 Things You Can Do Today To Manage Anxiety
50 Things You Can Do Today To Manage Arthritis
50 Things You Can Do Today To Manage Back Pain
50 Things You Can Do Today To Manage Eczema
50 Things You Can Do Today To Manage Fibromyalgia
50 Things You Can Do Today To Increase Fertility
50 Things You Can Do Today To Manage Hay Fever
50 Things You Can Do Today To Manage IBS
50 Things You Can Do Today To Manage Insomnia
50 Things You Can Do Today To Manage Menopause
50 Things You Can Do Today To Manage Migraines
50 Things You Can Do Today To Boost Your Self-Esteem
50 Things You Can Do Today To Manage Stress
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Author’s Note
Foreword by Simone Ryder, Founder of SWIB (Supporting Women in
Business), Professional Coach, Author and Trainer in Confidence and Self-
Empowerment
Introduction
Chapter 1 – About Confidence
1. Learn about confidence
Chapter 2 – Be Body Confident
2. Eat fewer refined foods
3. Avoid too much alcohol
4. Cut down on caffeine
5. Eat more wholesome foods
6. Learn about key vitamins and minerals for good health
7. Get the exercise habit
Chapter 3 – Control Stress for Strong Self-Confidence
8. Simplify your life
9. Take control of your spending
10. Cut work-related pressures
11. Change your attitude towards a stressful situation
12. Focus on the present
13. Be mindful in everyday life
14. Breathe deeply
15. Practise colour breathing
16. Visualise a relaxing retreat
17. Use a mantra
18. Relax your muscles
19. Sleep soundly
Chapter 4 – Think Yourself Confident
20. Avoid comparing yourself with others
21. Challenge your confidence-sapping thoughts
Chapter 5 – Exude Confidence
22. Adopt confident body language
23. Find your confident ‘chocolate voice’
24. Choose your words carefully
25. Learn the rules of assertion
Chapter 6 – Identify and Develop Your Strengths and Talents
26. Identify and play to your strengths
27. Recognise and use your talents
Chapter 7 – Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
28. Discover the benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone
29. Be prepared to take a risk
30. Project past positive emotions
Chapter 8 – Get Set for Success
31. Acknowledge past successes
32. Choose goals that excite and inspire you
33. Plan to succeed
34. Identify your success habits
35. Overcome obstacles
36. Create and use positive affirmations
Chapter 9 – Look the Part
37. Get glowing skin
38. Have heavenly hair
39. Care for your hands and nails
40. Style yourself confident
Chapter 10 – Try Confidence-Boosting DIY Complementary Therapies
41. Perfect your posture with the Alexander Technique
42. Use aroma power
43. Enjoy a mood-lifting massage
44. Tap into emotional freedom techniques (EFT)
45. Try flower power
46. Get help from homeopathy
47. Try confidence-boosting herbal supplements
Chapter 11 – Be Confident in Real-Life Situations
48. Speak in public confidently
49. Perform well at a job interview
50. Feel at ease on a date
Recipes
Jargon Buster
Useful Products
Helpful Books
Directory
Author’s Note
Fifteen years ago I decided to expand my horizons by studying for a BSc
honours degree in health studies. I had been interested in health since my teens
and felt it would be a very interesting topic to learn about and eventually write
about. Aiming to gain a degree felt way outside my comfort zone and I was
apprehensive. What if I found the course too difficult and failed to pass the
modules and was asked to leave? What if I couldn’t fit studying around caring
for my teenage son and daughter? Despite my fears I went ahead and enrolled on
the course. Throughout my studies I had niggling worries about failing or not
being able to cope, but I kept going, encouraged by the marks I was achieving in
my coursework and exams. With each success my confidence grew and at the
end of three years of hard work I gained a first-class degree.
With my newfound confidence I decided to enrol on a Teaching in Further
Education course to expand my employment opportunities. Again, I felt nervous
– I found the idea of standing up and teaching daunting – but I told myself that if
I could pass a degree course I could also gain a teaching certificate.
When I delivered my first micro-teach to fellow students I was so nervous I
could barely speak, and when I did my first teaching practice delivering a
seminar at a local university I froze when I stood up and addressed the students
in the lecture theatre. However, each time I stretched my comfort zone I became
a little more confident, until eventually I thought nothing of standing up and
delivering lessons to adult learners of all ages and abilities.
What I have found is that when you aim higher you do feel a little
uncomfortable initially, but if you go ahead despite your fears, your confidence
will grow and your comfort zone will gradually become bigger and bigger. If
you combine this philosophy with looking after your health and appearance, so
that you feel and look your best, your confidence really can soar.
Wendy Green