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SCMP Reporter

EVERY WEEK write@ttitude receives loads of letters from readers about all sorts of things. Each letter requires a different answer, but if we were only able to give one answer to all those questions, it would be a lesson in confidence. It is incredible how a good dose of confidence can transform a person - all those niggly little worries and problems disappear.

Are you a confident person? See how many of these boxes you can check:

I don't worry about what other people think.

I know what I want.

I focus on my skills and talents and not my flaws.

I am not worried about failure.

I don't compare myself negatively to other people.

I am willing to try new experiences.

Don't worry if the above statements don't describe you. You can learn to become a confident person. It's all about believing in yourself. The first step to becoming more confident is to fake confidence. That's right, start acting confident even when you don't feel like it inside. After while you will start to believe it yourself. Try these:

? Good posture: stand tall, head held high - droopy shoulders are for losers.

? Speak clearly: this doesn't mean shout. People who can express themselves will come across as confident.

? Make eye contact: people who are afraid to look someone in the eye and instead gaze at the floor appear easily intimidated.

? Smile: if you are confident you are happy about yourself, so why wouldn't you smile?

Faking it is a good start towards feeling what it is like to be confident, but for real self-confidence you will need to begin to understand yourself better. As you learn more about yourself and how you react to different people and situations, you can believe in yourself more.

Make a list of things that you are good at. It is important to know what your natural strengths are so you can make the most of them.

Learning to like yourself is crucial for confidence. The key is to stop being critical of yourself. Everyone has got something they don't like about themselves - like stick-out ears or a big bum - so just learn to accept yourself for who you are.



Believe in yourself