6 Ways to Tackle Confidence as an Introvert

By Crystal Handy

Have you ever felt like you didn't belong? No matter the credentials you've obtained, nothing prepared you for the social skills you would need to feel like your functioning well in this fast-paced world. Does it seem like everyone around you has figured it out and they're moving full-force in their purpose, but you're stuck still trying to figure it out? Well, here's something that I've come up with to help myself. Maybe it will be a start to helping you as well. 

1. Don't Compare Yourself to Anyone:  Not even to yourself - Your old self is not you NOW. What you used to do may not be what you can do now. It's okay. Focus on who you are presently. You don't need that extra stress of figuring out if you're as good as your younger self, or as good as anyone else. Listen, other people have what they have; they are who they are; their background is their background. But what you have to offer is needed and nobody else can bring it like you can except for YOU. So accept yourself and what you have to bring to the table. Be all you can be. Be the best you!

2. Be Okay With Your Decisions: Much of my unnecessary anxiety comes when I think about what someone else is thinking about what I did or how I handled something. People won't always respond the way you want them to. They may not even respond at all. Sometimes their response, or lack thereof, may make you want to crawl back in your shell. Sometimes what you think they're thinking may not even be reality. Even if it is, there's no point in stressing over it. Stick with the decision you've made. If you're anything like me, it probably took a long time for you to think through and finalize this decision. Although being questioned about it or overruled may make you feel unheard or unimportant, be confident about your ability to present your point. You are amazing!

3. Meditate: Sometimes you just have to find some kind of way to turn your brain off. All kinds of thoughts run miles through my mind throughout the day. It's hard. But if I take a moment and center myself, focus on God and his goodness and love for me, I know he won't do me harm and that everything will be fine, so I take a deep breath and remind myself that I'm fine. Inhale, exhale!

4. Be Positive: Have something that you can refer to when negative thoughts arise. You can write Bible verses on post-it notes around your house. Have a positive quote as your screensaver on your phone. Make a playlist of positive, soothing, calming music.

5. Revisit Those Hobbies: What is is you're good at? What is it that you used to love but sort of shoved it under the rug because you didn't think you were good enough? Take some time away for yourself to do something that makes you feel happy and confident. Paint, color, read, play an instrument, perform at an open mic, post a video to YouTube of you singing. Whatever it is...DO IT!

6. Hone Your Craft: Remember this truth - no matter what kind of personality you have, if you do what you do and do it well, people will buy into what you offer. Do such a great job that people won't even be able to see how uncomfortable you were during any part of the process. They will just know that the final product was well done. You may be shy about sharing your gifts. But if you take the risk of putting yourself out there, you might as well have your best to show.

Your personality is not bad just because it's different from someone else. Remember you're amazing! Introvert is not a dirty word.