If you haven’t realized it yet, no one is perfect. Many adults with ADHD may struggle more than most other people in life, and their self confidence may take a pounding because of it. This is because when adults with ADHD go through life with negative thinking, it makes sense that they may develop a negative attitude as a result. Whether you are going through a low point in your life, or if you occasionally feel terrible about yourself, it is essential to have some tools to help you refocus your thoughts so you can live a life with confidence and joy.
Confidence is a Skill – DNA does have something to do with confidence but not everything. Confidence is a skill that you can learn, practice and improve over time. Science has proven that repetitive thoughts and actions can actually change a person’s neural pathway to foster better results. When you practice confident actions and thoughts, you will eventually feel confident. The more confident actions that you participate in the more success you will achieve as a result.
Low Confidence Doesn’t Define You – When you lack self confidence, it can make you feel like you are not good at anything. You see your entire life of insecurity and self doubt. You don’t have to be perfect to be successful. In a matter of fact, you can be confident in spite of your imperfections. Confidence is a state of mind that allows you to move past your failures and flaws and even learn from them.
Understand the Underlying Cause – By examining the reasons behind your confidence problems, you gain control over them. When you recognize the root cause, it no longer holds the same power. Just because there is a source for your insecurities doesn’t mean that you must live with them forever.
Debunk Your Beliefs – Long term problems train us to believe certain things about ourselves. The negative feelings associated with failure, embarrassment, and shame. We start to begin the believe these beliefs as reality. The negative thoughts are natural but they are not always truthful and they are holding you back from your full potential. For example, you may be an introvert but you can take action against your personality type and become comfortable talking to other people. Change and growth is always possible. You need to change your mind set about your beliefs.
Take Small Steps – If you can accept the idea that change is possible, that you can learn the skills of confidence, and then begin taking those small steps to reinforce your confidence. Expose yourself in manageable increments to the thing that you fear. Brain storm action steps you can take in the next few weeks related to the area where you lack confidence. Of course you will feel a little uncomfortable and insecure at first but the more that you do it the easier it will become. You will probably also have a few bumps in the road and try to run. Don’t beat yourself up over these, or use them as an excuse to give up. Just try again and you will see how you feel more and more confident with time and practice.