What are the chances of your brain cooperating if I tell it not to think about a pink elephant?
I’m guessing your imagination just took over there, and you saw a big pink elephant either sitting in front of you or maybe standing in a circus.
This simple little trick shows how powerful the mind can be.
The unconscious mind has an overwhelming power, even when it’s told not to do something.
Although this little brain game may appear as a bit of innocent fun, it is actually a good template for helping to develop self-confidence.
If your brain can ignore a basic instruction like “don’t visualise a pink elephant,” with a bit of practice, just think of what other commands it could be trained to ignore.
Our minds are bombarded with both positive and negative thoughts each and every day.
Some help boost our confidence, while others seem to hurt us.
So is there a way to keep the bad thoughts at bay and only think about the good ones?
Let’s jump in and have a look.
Positive Thinking: Your Mind Shapes Your Life
Throughout history, people have recognised the influence of our thoughts on our lives, even if they didn’t always call it the Law of Attraction.
The basic idea is simple: the energy we emit into the world often comes back to us.
This goes beyond just being nice to others and expecting them to be nice in return.
From the Bible’s “ask and you shall receive” to the insights of modern thinkers, there’s a belief that what we receive in life is connected to what we unconsciously anticipate.
It’s a real force that starts in our minds.
Positive thinking has been proven to boost the growth of brain cells and enhance mental clarity.
Researchers have also discovered that having positive thoughts tends to lead to even more positive thoughts, in a kind of chain reaction.
This way of thinking can significantly boost our self-confidence.
If we make positive self-talk a habit, our minds will naturally gravitate towards positivity.
To boost your self-esteem, you need a consistent dose of positive thinking, affirmations, and self-love.
Focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses.
By turning this into a routine, you’re training your brain to generate more positive thoughts and reject negativity.
Although it may seem challenging, these findings are indeed real.
To truly improve your self-esteem, you must practice speaking kindly to yourself regularly.
Here’s a few ways to help you start focusing on your positive qualities and start to live a more confident life:
Avoid toxic influences and triggers
If you’re struggling to discover your inner strength, it might be a good idea to remove the obstacles and avoid situations or people that are not helping you or could be hurting your emotions.
Begin by distancing yourself from negative people.
Their negativity can affect your mood and well-being. If you can’t completely cut off contact, try to create as much space as you can.
This might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but it’s crucial for your long-term happiness.
Boost your confidence with self-affirmations
Positive self-talk is a game changer and it’s been proven to work.
It can transform your self-perception.
Try making a daily ritual of acknowledging your strengths, even the ones you’re still working on or just developing.
Whether you write them down or stand and say them in front of a mirror, remind yourself each day why you’re so great.
Give yourself that upbeat pep talk to energise your day.
Grow your inner confidence
The saying “when you look good, you feel good” holds true.
Even if you’re not feeling your best mentally, don’t let that affect how you present yourself physically.
“Fake it till you make it” might sound cliché, but once your subconscious believes it, you won’t have to pretend anymore, and you’ll naturally gravitate towards success.
Take a moment to dress in clothes that make you feel proud, even if you’re just staying at home.
Walk with confidence, even when you’re not at your best emotionally.
These actions will help you establish a behaviour pattern that comes naturally with minimal effort.
Eventually, you’ll genuinely feel that inner confidence.
Focusing on your positive qualities requires ongoing self-reflection and self-appreciation.
Take the time to sincerely acknowledge what makes you unique.
With time, concentrating on your strengths will become second nature.
And you’ll be building the self-assurance you need to tackle all or most of life’s challenges.
