How do you build Self-Confidence?

Well I don't know how girls do it, cause it seems a lot of women don't have it. Even the woman I'm dating now who is one of the most independant women I have ever met, says she's afraid of giving too much of herself to me because she's afraid of it not working. But she's a singer who has to audition for record producers nearly everyday and that has no effect on her confidence. Even when they tell her no literally every week. But she keeps going with all of her heart into it.

When I was in my teens I had poor self-confidence. I mistakenly put all of my efforts into frivilous things like sports and I lost track of important things like school and friends. After sports ended I had nothing left. Literally. No friends, no good grades, nothing. So then I started just pandering to people and doing whatever they wanted me to do so they would just be friendly with me. With girls I would listen to them talk about their boyfriends, relationships, sex, everything. With my male friends I would do all I could to help them with advice and all this other stuff and expect nothing in return. I was miserable, but since I was "helping" people it made me feel good I guess.

After a while, I just got tired of my happiness being dependant on other people. It's too unpredictable. So I decided to lose that dependency on people and make myself responsible for my own happiness.

You have to throw out the need for approval from others. All confidence is, is your predetermined "sixth sense" ability to handle a situation. If you feel you can't do something before you do it, you're "confidence" will tell you you can't do it. Women have a real hard time with this because it seems a lot of them place their priorites in life on relationships. I think a girl would be more upset after breaking up with a boyfriend of maybe a couple months as opposed to losing a job she's been at for like 10 years. They have no fear of losing their job because they now they can just get another one, but for some reason after losing a man it's going to be "hard" to find another one. I don't think this way. Everything is replaceable. Even a woman.

Once you realize only you can allow others to control your emotions and to stop blaming others for your unhappiness, you are well on your way to becoming a very confident individual.

I always figured self-confidence comes from doing what you're afraid to do.

Practice makes perfect kind of thing.

Nothing like excersize and getting in shape to make you feel good about yourself!

self respect. simple. if you don't have self-confidence, then there must be something in your past from attaining it. see a tharapyst. it may sound to rash, but, if you talk to a professional, they can really hep you build that empty space.

That's a GREAT question. Everyone has their own ways of building their self confidence, so you will have to find what works best for you.

To build my self confidence, I have done many things. I used to have very low self esteem. And now, I am so confident that I could care LESS what other people think! You have to start by being comfortable with your appearance. Me and one of my best friends hit the gym a few times a week. I taught myself how to play tennis (I'm NOT an athlete lol), and we play tennis and run. Working out will make you feel good mentally and physically.

Sometimes you have to make changes to your physical appearance to be okay with it. I get my hair colored about 2 or 3 times a year. It's a simple idea that I LOVE. I can do whatever I want with it and it's almost like becoming a new person. Treat yourself to some new clothes sometimes. Keep up to date with your makeup. All little things that can mean the world.

Once you are ok with your physical appearance, self confidence is all mental. Make sure you have good friends that are always there for you. And be the person you WANT to be, not the person you think you should be.