According to a recent study, 85% of adults struggle with self-esteem issues. This means that, while it may not seem that way, the majority of those you interact with on a daily basis face the same confidence issues that you are currently battling. 

Furthermore, while this may seem impossible right now, there are plenty of steps that you can take to elevate your confidence.

With that in mind, here are three steps that you can follow to get your mojo back moving forward! 

Improve your relationship with your body. The majority of confidence issues can be traced back to how we feel about our appearance. Fortunately, there are many steps that you can take to boost your body confidence.

For example, you could start by practicing body positivity, which encourages you to celebrate your body’s strengths and capabilities instead of how it appears in the mirror. While this can feel difficult, especially when we are constantly bombarded by societal ideals on social media and TV, there are numerous ways in which you can approach this challenge. 

You can also start each day by repeating positive affirmations relating to your body out loud. This could include phrases such as, “My body is strong enough to help me get where I need to go,” “My body, like me, is unique,” and “My body does not need to look like everyone else’s in order to feel beautiful.” While this may take a bit of getting used to, the more you praise yourself in this way, the more you will take the words to heart and begin to believe them.

Lastly, you can change your relationship with your body for the better by working out more often - and not necessarily with the intention of losing weight. After all, regular exercise shows you just how much your body is capable of, whether this means that you can start to run faster or lift heavier weights. 

Plaster on that smile! Various scientific studies have found that even a false smile can lift your confidence levels. This is because the act of smiling itself triggers the release of mood (and confidence), boosting endorphins, such as dopamine and serotonin. However, this may seem easier said than done among those who do not like how their smile looks or appears.

While it's important to note that a unique smile is a good thing, there are many steps that you can take to increase your confidence in your pearly whites. For example, you may want to pay more attention to your dental hygiene, preventing the build-up of plaque and cavities. Alternatively, you may want to look into dental treatments, such as Invisalign, which can help straighten or close gaps in your teeth. 

Step outside of your comfort zone. Another fun yet effective way in which you can begin to rebuild your confidence and get your mojo back is by challenging yourself or stepping outside of your comfort zone. While this may be the last thing on your mind when dealing with a self-esteem crisis, you’d be surprised to hear about the many well-documented benefits of pushing yourself in this way.

For example, when you take a risk, and it pays off, you’re left with a notable improvement in your self-esteem levels. After all, you have proven to yourself (and those around you) that you can do ANYTHING you set your mind to, whether this relates back to your personal or professional life.

Furthermore, stepping outside of your comfort zone can also prove beneficial even when things don’t work in your favor. After all, this shows that you can make mistakes without it being the end of the world. This means that you are much more likely to push yourself moving forward, as opposed to staying trapped in a cycle of self-limiting behaviors. As such, while it may seem a little scary to begin with, now is the perfect time to start taking risks and working your way out of the safety blanket that is your comfort zone!

Final Thoughts. Despite how it may seem from an outside perspective, nobody feels confident 100% of the time. Furthermore, there are many steps that you can take to build your confidence from the ground up, including improving your relationship with your body, smiling more often, and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.

However, it is important to remember that, like many feelings, confidence can be fleeting. This means it's perfectly normal to feel confident one day and anxious the next, and you just need to learn to ride the wave!