Self-confidence training

Here are some guidelines for use when training your self-confidence.

Openness: You are willing to reveal who you are, what you know, and what you want.
Honesty: You say what you believe and you believe what you say.
Reliability: You do what you say you are going to do.
Acceptance/respect: You respect and accept yourself and others.
Communication: You are open, direct, honest and appropriate.
You try to avoid: Exploitation, misunderstandings and suppressing your own needs.
Independence: You will only accept what others think about you if it is constructive for you. Other people do not necessarily have to like you, or understand you. You will not be the victim of manipulation, and you do not wish to manipulate others.

Personal rights

• say NO and reject demands without explanation, excuse or feeling guilt.
• change your mind and your decision.
• make a decision without explaining or justifying it.
• give expression to both negative and positive feelings.
• react, without explaining why.

Remember to recognise that others have the same rights.

Social skills

1. non-verbal communication
eye contact, facial expression, gesticulation, body position and head movements.
2. verbal communication
tone, clarity, timing and content of speech.
3. conversation skills
introduce yourself and greet others, employ listening skills, identify and express feelings, know your own opinions and attitudes, be able to argue, give and receive criticism, maintain demands and refusals, and ask others to do things for you.
4. self-protection skills
manage anger and personal attacks, endure intense feelings, solve conflicts, maintain personal rights and resist attempts to derogate you.