Confidence

Unfortunately, not all of us are born with limitless confidence and charisma. We all know that one girl or guy that seems perfect, exceedingly intelligent and breathtaking in appearance. Those perfect people are far and few between...and this post isn't for them. It's for everybody else who needs a confidence boost every now and then.

Building confidence is a matter of time and perseverance for most people. It is not like an on/off switch, it is a process of internal achievements and realizations. This may sound tough, but its actually not.

1. Enrich yourself by spending time pursuing what makes you happy. If your hobby is to build replicas of battleships, then become very good at building replicas of battleships. If your hobby is to learn about something, learn as much as you can about it. This will then become a source of confidence, because it is something you have excelled in. From there, you can think about other areas where you are confident: sports, humor, etc. List them all and you'll see you're pretty great!

2. Help your community by volunteering, recycling and reducing your consumption of resources, etc. These are great ways to feel like you are a part of something bigger and volunteering is a great way to make friends. Confidence springs from knowing that you are accepted and you serve a purpose.

3. Never be discouraged, no matter what happens. When times get tough, do something practical. Think about where you want to be in one year or five and then write a list of things you need to get there. Take on the list one item at a time. In this time of financial crisis, don't be afraid. Fear is the enemy of rational thought...and as a science & technology major, rationality is your bread and butter. Remember to think about things procedurally and objectively. This will keep you calm and collected even in the worst situations.

4. Fake it. When all else fails, pretend that you're confident by smiling, moving with ease, and keeping a cool posture. Sit in the front row. Wear clothes that make you feel powerful. Ask questions and listen intently to the answers, this is a big sign of conversational confidence. Eventually, your brain will catch up with your body.