Self-confident men have a way of standing out in a crowd. From their friendly expressions and self-assured body language to the way they always look pulled together and organised, guys who are sure of themselves inspire confidence in others.

Fortunately, self-confidence is something that can be learned and practiced — just like any other skill.

Polish Your Body Language & Appearance

In order to become more self-confident, you have to look and act the part. Or, as the saying goes, you’ve got to fake it until you make it. For example, good posture can go a long way in boosting your self-confidence. As Inc. notes, standing with your shoulders back may seem like a minor point, but it will help others see you as self-confident. In addition, smiling at people when you are talking to them and looking at their eyes instead of their feet will also show them that you are confident about yourself. If it’s been awhile since you’ve had a haircut, treat yourself to a professional cut and style and make an effort to dress nicely. These tips will help you to look more self-confident and have others perceive you as such, which in turn will naturally boost the way you feel about yourself.

Enhance Your Knowledge & Skills

Knowing what to expect in a situation and becoming as knowledgeable as possible about a variety of topics will help you to feel more confident. For example, if your office is going through organisational changes and you are required to learn new skills, staying on top of your training and practising the new policies and procedures will help you feel more prepared and thus more confident. Being knowledgeable and self-sufficient in your day-to-day life will also make you more confident. For example, if you have been putting off getting your driving licence because you are unsure if you can pass the test, take the time to learn as much as you can about the rules of the road. Test your knowledge using a website like TopTests where you can take as many mock theory tests as you wish, all from the comfort of your own home. With each practise theory exam that you take, your knowledge of driving and the laws of the road will increase, which in turn will give you the confidence boost you need to go in and take the test in person.

Refine Your Self-Care

Guys who are in good shape and feel healthy tend to be more confident. Make taking care of yourself a priority by getting enough rest, eating healthy meals and getting regular exercise. You don’t have to spend hours at a gym and go on a radical diet; just make some simple changes to your daily routine—as your health improves, so will your self-confidence.

Improve Your Attitude

To become more self-confident, a positive mental attitude is a must. Remind yourself that everyone in life has challenges and obstacles and that things will not always be easy, but with some hard work you can accomplish a lot. In fact, overcoming adversity will improve your self-confidence by proving to yourself that you have what it takes to get through anything. No matter what life throws at you, look at everything as an opportunity to become stronger and smarter, and watch your self-confidence improve.