psychology
5 signs you’re more confident than you think
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Do you think your self-confidence is lacking because you’re not an extroverted “doer” type? These five characteristics are much more important in determining how confident a person is.
What actually makes a self-confident person? Being able to give a speech in front of hundreds of people without any problems? To be able to sell yourself perfectly in a job interview or on a date? In reality, other properties are much more crucial.
The fact is: many of us underestimate how much self-confidence we have. Because we often equate this with volume and external strength. How confident someone is often becomes apparent on a much more subtle level. Above all, how we interact with others is an important indicator of this. These five characteristics are typical of self-confident people – and are often misunderstood.
5 signs of healthy self-confidence
1. You easily ask others for help.
Is asking for help a sign of weakness? On the contrary! Often only really self-confident people dare to ask for support when they can’t get ahead on their own. Because they know what they can do – and what they can’t do. And not being able to do something is anything but embarrassing. Rather, it is a sign of strength to admit that you need help with something. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the tax return, cooking or an emotional topic.
2. You are good at being alone.
Humans are social creatures – we need caregivers and other people around us. But it is just as important to be able to spend time alone with yourself. Because those who can’t stand their own company are usually not as self-confident as they might seem. So if you can tolerate, even need, regular me-time, then that’s a clear sign of how confident you are.
3. You can admit mistakes.
Confidence has nothing to do with perfection. Anyone who thinks that self-confident people always do and say the right things is wrong. Because we all make mistakes. Anyone who can reflect on themselves and admit when they have done something wrong is probably pretty strong. Because it takes a lot of self-confidence to first admit your mistakes – and then apologize for them in front of others.
4. You set clear boundaries.
Being able to say no is an important quality for mental health. So if you manage to differentiate yourself and say clearly when you don’t want to or can’t do something, you’re probably more confident than you think. Honoring your own needs is a clear sign of true strength – because it has nothing to do with always persevering, no matter how you feel about it.
5. You don’t seek the spotlight.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying the attention of others. But if you constantly want to be the center of attention and need external validation, you probably struggle with pretty low self-esteem. Because someone who is truly self-confident doesn’t need the spotlight (constantly), but knows that a person’s value lies within – and not in how he:she is perceived from the outside.
Sources used: psychologytoday.com, forbes.com