Increase Confidence In Two Minutes
TRANSCRIPT:
Confidence. Something that everyone needs to be successful; and, yet, something that many feel is as elusive as the ring in “Lord of the Rings!” But confidence is actually more science than a possession of the select few that seemed born with the confidence spoon in their mouths. Let me give you some proof.
In 2019, I did one of those DNA tests from 23 and Me and found out that I have a fear of public speaking in my DNA! First, I had no idea that was a thing, and, second, I was pretty darn proud of myself for overcoming that fear and public speaking all of the time! So how did I go from a fear (almost a phobia) of public speaking where I’d feel nauseous and anxious for days before and after to regularly speaking publicly with confidence?
The main key was I practiced.
I knew public speaking was crucial to my business so I did it afraid and got better and better. However, I have learned two brain hacks that have helped my clients and myself.
THE SUPERMAN POSE
The superman pose is amazing for increasing confidence quick! Basically, you find a discreet place (nothing like being stared at as you stand like superman or superwoman to dampen the confidence boost) and open your legs a little wider than your hips and put your hands on your chest. Hold it for two minutes before any meeting or activity that has your nervous.
Here’s what it does:
It boosts your testosterone (confidence hormone) 19%.
Lowers cortisol (stress hormone) 25%.
But what if you don't want to stand in a bathroom stall for two minutes holding this pose? It can feel awkward. Researchers did a study where they tested the testosterone and cortisol levels of paraplegics who merely imagined themselves in the superman pose, and they had the same results! So set that timer and picture the pose!
THE YES! TECHNIQUE
The Yes! technique is great for both boosting confidence but also reframing bad memories. I’ll get to that in a second. The first thing you need to know is that your brain can’t tell the difference between anxiety and excitement so you can trick it using this technique. The technical term is reframing.
Here’s what you do—every time you feel anxious about an upcoming event or task, say out loud with enthusiasm, “Yes!”
This is great for bad memories, too. Do the same thing when a bad memory comes up, and it will reframe the memory and begin to remove the sting of it.
IN SUMMARY
One of my favorite examples of this working is with an extreme anxious introvert that used this technique to overcome fear of initiating introductions, speaking in front of small groups, and other things that would paralyze her.
It’s a myth that confidence and charisma are only for the select few who were born that way. Both can be developed even in the most introvert among us.