2 Keys to Boosting Your Inner Confidence

I've been coaching for 14 years now, and the biggest thing I've learned - both for me and for my clients - is that aligning with your true self is the key to it all. Aligning with your authentic self and loving yourself as that authentic self, is the foundation that inspires inner confidence.

Inner confidence provides the light that shines from within you when you share your gifts and talents with the world.

There are all kinds of strategies, ways of thinking, patterns of behavior and practical tips for improving your life and feeling better about yourself, but they're all redundant if the foundation isn't there.

That foundation is accepting, and following, the real you, the you that you know deep down you are - flaws, imperfections and all.

The trick is that it takes confidence to face your true self.

The first step is to give yourself permission to bring out who you are, and then allow as much love, self-acceptance and allowance as you can muster, to flow freely towards your inner-being.

Here are the keys to inspiring gradual self-love:

1. Know Your Gut Instinct Guides You to Know Who-You-Really-Are

Your true self might be buried ten thousand feet down inside you.

Sometimes it may take a little digging to get to the very core of who you are.

Your belief systems are the building blocks, the foundations and cornerstones of the way you live your life, usually imposed on you by your caregivers, friends and society at large. Some of your belief systems are working for you, and some are working against you. More specifically, working against what you believe are your current life goals. Once you identify your beliefs, you have the power to change them, and you can use this process to your advantage.

A belief system provides framework for your values. Your values are the concepts that you identify in yourself, in others, or in the world - that feel important to you.

Often we confuse external validation, or adherence to externally imposed values, with following our authentic path because of our belief systems. This causes us to fill our days pursuing validation through achievement or acceptance (school, career, role within the family or community).

When we are living authentically, we get both inner satisfaction as well as harmonious collaboration with society, family and social circles as we engage in activities that truly support our real authentic selves (mental, emotional, energetic, spiritual).

Let's go a little deeper into the concept of identifying the role of emotions as messengers that guide us on the path to alignment.

When you think of the words family, fun, nature, achievement or freedom - what emotions come up for you?

Why is it that some people and situations leave you feeling angry, frustrated, demotivated or deflated?

Many times, it’s because one or more aspects of your true authentic self is being denied, suppressed or repressed – and you perceive that as a negative experience because it’s denying a fundamental piece of who you are.

Think back to those times when you’ve felt really alive, amazing or buzzing with joy.

Those are the times when you are living in alignment with your true self, and you can get more of that by living in alignment more frequently.