While it’s completely normal for our confidence to waver when faced with new challenges and disruptive changes, low confidence can chip away at your self-esteem, which can in turn have a negative impact on your mood, productivity and relationships.

So what are some quick and simple ways you can boost your confidence – both in the workplace and in your personal life?

Take action
The best way to increase your confidence is to take action. Feelings of confidence are created and reinforced by your own actions and experiences. Making small changes to what you do, see, hear and think can all improve your confidence. Fake it till you make it: Smile, stand up straight. When people see and treat you as a confident person, it will help you become a confident person.

Start to see new challenges as an opportunity to build your confidence. Ask yourself: What would you do if you were not afraid? What’s the worst that can happen?

Pick one thing that scares you every day, and do it. Write it down on a bit of paper, and put it in a jar. Read all of them when the jar is full and I guarantee you’ll feel amazing.

Find role models
Keep an active look-out for role models, particularly for people who you identify with, or who have followed similar paths. Remember, too, that you can have many role-models (in fact, that’s the best idea).

‘Pick-and-mix’ the qualities and characteristics you admire and want to emulate from several different people.  While you might not find the ‘perfect’ role model, you can be inspired by elements from many.

Keep a ‘brag file’
To make sure you absorb positive feedback, write it down. Keep a ‘brag file’ – a document where you copy and paste any positive feedback you get from others, jot down passing comments.

Copy what you admire
Don’t be afraid to copy what you admire. Imitation, after all, is the sincerest form of flattery

Remember: You can look up to someone without putting yourself down. It’s not a hierarchy, and there’s room for both of you to be successful.

Think confident
Try an affirmation: ‘I absolutely can do this.’ Repetition of positive thoughts leads to habitual positive thinking.

Keep a confidence journal: Before you go to bed, write down three things that you’re proud of from your work and life that day. Make a conscious effort to remember your positive achievements and qualities. Instead of trying to stop negative thinking abruptly, try a counter-argument:  I may not be the best at…but, I am fantastic at…

Set yourself up for success
If you ask ‘So what did you think of that?’ You’re asking for general thoughts, and many people are naturally disposed to find criticism. If you ask ‘What worked for you about [my presentation, my idea]?’ You’re steering them to provide much more constructive, strengths-based feedback.

Practice accepting compliments and positive feedback gracefully. Smile, and say ‘Thank you’. Think about it: If someone congratulates you on your hard work, and you say ‘It was nothing’, it may sound a lot like ‘I didn’t try that hard’ or ‘Go away’.