When you hear about lack of confidence or low self-esteem, it is not uncommon to believe that this is only something women deal with. After all, men are portrayed to be these macho individuals who don’t let things like feelings and emotions get in the way. Contrary to popular belief, there are millions of men who battle with their self-confidence. They too feel pressured to be these “perfect” beings and when they fall short, the aftermath can sometimes be worse than women.
Signs Your Self-Confidence Could Use a Boost
Let’s face it. There are so many social stigmas surrounding men and mental health that many guys struggling with their feelings tend to hold them in. Fearing shame and embarrassment from their peers, they choose to suffer in silence. Some signs that a guy could be having a hard time with his self-image include:
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Feeling down, long periods of sadness, or depression
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Anxiety
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Poor appearance (due to lack of grooming or caring for yourself)
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Poor sexual performance
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Inability to accomplish tasks large and small
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Defensiveness or aggression
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The constant need for affirmation from others
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Relationship problems
These are just a few of the signs of low self-esteem in men. If you’ve found yourself feeling this way lately, the only way to climb out of it is to act. Failure to do so could lead to a downward spiral in all areas of your life. When you don’t believe in yourself or your ability to achieve things it can hinder you from accomplishing your goals, make you dependent upon others for validation, and cause a world of trouble in your personal relationships.
How to Boost Your Self-Esteem
So, how can you prevent your low self-esteem from ruining your life? There are a number of things you can try from this list that can help you start feeling good instantly.
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Remind yourself of your accomplishments – it’s easy to pick yourself apart, but this only lowers your self-esteem. Anytime you find yourself thinking negatively about who you are and what you can achieve, change your thoughts about things you have done well.
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Learn a new skill – Is there something you’re not good at that you wish you were? Instead of beating yourself up about it, learn a new skill. If you want to get a promotion at your job, but it requires you to have an IT background, take a few online courses. If you aren’t the best basketball player, but you enjoy playing with your friends at the gym, take some extra time to perfect your game.
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Skin Care Treatments – Although beauty lies within, your outer appearance can make you feel bad about yourself. If you’re dealing with an issue like dark spots or uneven skin, perhaps you should locate medical professionals like Dallas Associated Dermatologists Plano. They can schedule a consultation and provide you with treatment options to cure your skin problems giving you a jolt of confidence.
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Break Goals Down – Trying to accomplish a big goal and falling short does nothing for your self-esteem. If there are things you’d like to accomplish, break them down into smaller actionable goals. As you complete each small task, it will give you the confidence you need to keep going and eventually achieve the larger goal.
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Talk to someone – Being vulnerable may be difficult, but sometimes it can be the best solution for building your confidence. Perhaps there are bigger issues that need to be addressed in order for you to feel better about yourself.. A therapist offers a safe haven for you to vent without judgment. They also have therapies which can help you to change your thought process to a more positive one.
Having a strong self-esteem is the key to so many things in life. When you don’t believe in yourself or your capabilities, it creates a lot of obstacles and roadblocks. From your personal relationships to your ability to succeed in the workplace, low confidence will slowly but surely make life a lot harder. To prevent this from happening to you, start taking action. Using these tips and others to boost your confidence repeatedly for a month will help you to develop habits that help you to see yourself in a more positive light.