Confident people can seem innately outgoing, self-assured and assertive, but that's not always the case. Confidence can be developed through practice. Here are eight tricks that will leave you feeling like a total boss. Banish imposter syndrome. Many of us feel like frauds from time to time, scared that we will be found out. Overcome this by improving your self awareness, understand where your strengths lie and take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. Stop being a perfectionist. Sometimes good enough is exactly that. Don't allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good. Learn when it's time to let go and move on to the next task. Play to your strengths. Share your talents and your confidence will flourish. If for example, you have good organizational skills, why not volunteer to arrange the next office party. Reflect on your successes. Take stock of your achievements and keep a note of them. It can be all too easy to forget past successes when the chips are down. So having them in writing somewhere will provide encouragement when you need it. Do something scary. Stepping out of your comfort zone can often reveal skills you never knew you had. The more often you do this, the easier it will get and the more confident you will become. Practice deep breathing. Simple as it may sound taking a few deep breaths when you're under pressure will help slow the stress response and relax you. Put things into perspective. If a situation starts to feel overwhelming, take a minute to put it into context. Try to be grateful for what you have and focus on what practical steps you can take to move on with courage and conviction. Looking back on a stressful event with the benefit of hindsight can help you understand your emotions and deal with similar situations more effectively in the future. Pretend. Last but not least, the old "fake it till you make it" technique. Even if you don't feel confident on the inside, projecting an air of confidence will inspire others to trust in your abilities. Try adopting a power stance for two minutes and feel the confidence radiate. Remember these tricks and you'll be swaggering around town in no time. © 2022 Mind Tools by Emerald Works Limited.