20 STEPS TO GO FROM LOW SELF-ESTEEM AND SHYNESS TO REAL CONFIDENCE
1. FIX YOUR APPEARANCE FIRST
Start with what you can control immediately. Get a proper haircut, keep your beard or face neat, smell good, take care of your teeth, wear clothes that fit properly and keep your shoes clean. You don't really need designer clothes. Looking in the mirror and actually liking what you see gives you a different energy before you even leave the house.
2. FIX YOUR BODY LANGUAGE
Before you work on conversation, work on how you carry yourself. Stop walking with your head down, mumbling or constantly looking at the floor. Stand straight, walk normally, keep your shoulders relaxed and look at people when they speak to you. Stop physically shrinking yourself.
3. BUILD ONE AREA OF REAL COMPETENCE
Low self-esteem is sometimes difficult to talk away because deep down, you don't think you have much to offer. Pick something and become genuinely good at it. Your work, business, football, books, fitness, technology, anything. Confidence becomes easier when you have something inside you that you know you are good at.
4. FIX YOUR KNOWLEDGE GAP
Read, follow current affairs, learn about things outside your immediate environment. Watch good films, listen to music, understand different subjects and develop opinions. One reason some people struggle in conversations is that they genuinely don't know what to say. Give your mind material to work with.
5. START WITH PEOPLE YOU ALREADY HAVE ACCESS TO
Don't begin by trying to become the most social person at a party. Start with people you encounter regularly. Greet your neighbour. Talk to the security man. Have a proper conversation with the woman selling food in your street. Speak to your colleague instead of just saying good morning and walking away. Build the muscle where the consequences are small.
6. STOP ANSWERING PEOPLE WITH ONE-WORD RESPONSES
If someone asks, “How are you?” don't always say “Fine.” Add something. “I'm good, just came back from work.” Then ask them something. You don't need to become a comedian. Learn the basic rhythm of conversation: answer, add something, ask something back.
7. LEARN TO INITIATE CONVERSATIONS
Once you're comfortable responding, start conversations yourself. Ask your colleague about the football match. Ask someone where they bought something you like. Tell the person beside you that the traffic today was terrible. These interactions may look insignificant, but they teach your brain that approaching people is normal.
8. STOP WAITING TO FIND THE PERFECT THING TO SAY This is where many shy people get stuck. They are mentally editing every sentence before it leaves their mouth. By the time they've found the perfect response, the conversation has moved on. Say the ordinary thing. You don't need every sentence to be intelligent.
9. LEARN TO SPEAK WITHOUT APOLOGISING FOR YOUR OPINION
Don’t apologize for having an opinion. Instead of saying, “I don't know if this makes sense, but maybe...” just say what you actually think. Stop making your opinion feel inferior.
10. START EXPRESSING PREFERENCES
Low self-esteem often shows up as having no opinion because you are afraid yours will be judged. Start small. “I prefer this restaurant.” “I don't like this movie.” “I'd rather stay home.” “I don't eat that.” You are teaching yourself that your preferences are allowed to exist.
11. LEARN TO DISAGREE WITHOUT FIGHTING The first time someone disagrees with you, don't immediately retreat. Say, “I understand your point, but I don't agree.” Then explain why. You need to experience disagreement without your world ending. Confidence grows when you realise people can disagree with you and still respect you.
12. STOP AVOIDING EYE CONTACT
Now that you are talking more, work on your presence. Look at people when they speak. Hold eye contact for a few seconds, naturally look away, then return to them. Don't stare. The goal is to communicate that you are comfortable enough to be present.
10 PRACTICAL SAVING TIPS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW
1. SAVE BEFORE YOU SPEND The biggest mistake people make is spending throughout the month and promising themselves they’ll save whatever remains. Usually, nothing remains. Once your income enters, remove your savings immediately and live on what is left.
2. GIVE YOUR SAVINGS A PURPOSE Don’t just say, “I’m saving money.” Give every major savings a purpose: house, car, travel, school fees, investment. When you know exactly what the money is meant to achieve, you’re less likely to touch it for an impulse purchase.
3. KEEP YOUR SAVINGS OUT OF SIGHT Don’t keep serious savings in the same account you use for your daily spendings. The more steps required to withdraw it, the more time you have to reconsider an unnecessary purchase. If you constantly see 10 million naira sitting in your account, your brain will start finding reasons why you need the new iPhone 18 Pro Max. 😂
4. SAVE PART OF EVERY INCOME INCREASE Anytime your salary or business income increases, don't immediately upgrade your lifestyle by the same amount. If your income increases by 300,000 naira, for example, save a significant portion of that increase before you get used to having the extra money.
5. HAVE A 24-HOUR RULE FOR IMPULSE PURCHASES If you suddenly see something you want, especially something expensive, don't buy it immediately. Give yourself 24 hours. For really expensive purchases, give yourself a week. A lot of things we desperately want today become completely irrelevant after a few days.
6. STOP TREATING EXTRA MONEY LIKE FREE MONEY Bonus, gift, refund, side hustle income, unexpected transfer, profit from a good month, these are opportunities to strengthen your finances. You don't have to spend every unexpected money simply because you didn't plan for it.
7. HAVE MONEY YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SPEND Saving doesn't mean becoming miserable. Give yourself a fixed amount every month for enjoyment. When your entertainment money finishes, you wait until the next month.
8. CHECK YOUR TRANSACTION HISTORY Once in a while, sit down and look through your bank statements. You will be surprised how much money disappears through food, betting, data, random transfers, womanizing, other unnecessary expenses. The money wasn't stolen. You just didn't notice it leaving.
9. TURN SAVING INTO A PERSONAL COMPETITION
Set a monthly target and try to beat your previous savings.
10. AUTOMATE YOUR SAVINGS
Set up an automatic transfer for payday, so once your money drops, a fixed amount moves straight into your savings account or a savings platform like Cowrywise or PiggyVest. You can also set a daily transfer limit on your bank account. It creates a spending boundary and helps curtail unnecessary expenses.
This message is for someone out here.
@UnkleAyo and @Wizarab10 make posts around this regularly, and I think the message is worth repeating.
Please, do whatever is reasonably within your power to stay alive.
Take care of yourself. Protect your life. Reduce the risks you can reduce.
Please don't die.
There is a blessedness that comes with time. Sometimes, the situation that looks completely hopeless today looks very different a few years later.
Stay alive long enough and you may get to watch your life turn around. You may see doors open that you thought were permanently shut. You may see some of those prayers you have carried for years get answered right before your own eyes.
So, where you have some control, protect yourself.
Block who you need to block. Avoid who you need to avoid. Stop smoking if you can. Cut down on alcohol or leave it completely. Don't be careless with sex. Protect yourself from preventable infections.
Watch what you eat and drink. Pay attention to your body. Know your blood pressure. Know your blood sugar when appropriate. Don't keep ignoring symptoms that need medical attention.
Watch the company you keep. Watch who you date. Avoid unnecessary debt, especially high-interest debt that can consume your finances and peace.
Drive carefully. Rest. Get help when you need it. Walk away from situations that threaten your safety and peace of mind.
Of course, none of us can guarantee tomorrow. There are things about life and death completely outside our control.
But for the things within your control, please give yourself the best possible chance of still being here.
Time can change so much.
That season can pass.
That financial situation can change.
That heartbreak can become a distant memory.
That unanswered prayer may yet receive an answer.
You may one day laugh again about something that once made you cry yourself to sleep.
You need to be here to see what comes next.
Please, I beg you with everything in me, take care of yourself. Protect your life as much as you reasonably can.
Please don't die. 👍🙏
This message is for someone out here.
@UnkleAyo and @Wizarab10 make posts around this regularly, and I think the message is worth repeating.
Please, do whatever is reasonably within your power to stay alive.
Take care of yourself. Protect your life. Reduce the risks you can reduce.
Please don't die.
There is a blessedness that comes with time. Sometimes, the situation that looks completely hopeless today looks very different a few years later.
Stay alive long enough and you may get to watch your life turn around. You may see doors open that you thought were permanently shut. You may see some of those prayers you have carried for years get answered right before your own eyes.
So, where you have some control, protect yourself.
Block who you need to block. Avoid who you need to avoid. Stop smoking if you can. Cut down on alcohol or leave it completely. Don't be careless with sex. Protect yourself from preventable infections.
Watch what you eat and drink. Pay attention to your body. Know your blood pressure. Know your blood sugar when appropriate. Don't keep ignoring symptoms that need medical attention.
Watch the company you keep. Watch who you date. Avoid unnecessary debt, especially high-interest debt that can consume your finances and peace.
Drive carefully. Rest. Get help when you need it. Walk away from situations that threaten your safety and peace of mind.
Of course, none of us can guarantee tomorrow. There are things about life and death completely outside our control.
But for the things within your control, please give yourself the best possible chance of still being here.
Time can change so much.
That season can pass.
That financial situation can change.
That heartbreak can become a distant memory.
That unanswered prayer may yet receive an answer.
You may one day laugh again about something that once made you cry yourself to sleep.
You need to be here to see what comes next.
Please, I beg you with everything in me, take care of yourself. Protect your life as much as you reasonably can.
Please don't die. 👍🙏
The reason people cheat is not just limited to money. One side we are not discussing is the sex.
If you follow social conversation, you'll catch the drift. Women limit what they do with their own partners so he doesn't think the worst of them, while unleashing the Jezebel in them with the person they are cheating with. If the person is paying, it makes it worse because he can do whatever he wants to get value for his money. Meanwhile, the man you claim to love is starving. Simple things like head, some won't give their man but would be gawking another man to death.
Men on the other hand also limit what they do with their women to love making because they can't bring themselves to do certain things with a woman they love or because they don't want her to squeeze face and accuse them of treating her like a whore. So you catch another person's babe and you unleash the animal in you to the point she doesn't even have strength to sleep with her own partner.
I beg you in the name of the god you serve and the one you don't serve, whatever demon in you that you want to exorcise through sex, do it with your partner. It is unfair that you give the best part of yourself to other people. How then do you want to bond sexually with your own partner when your best sex are with other people? Don't downplay the importance of sex in relationship and marriage abeg
Today I attended service at a Catholic church, and I’m seriously considering joining the Pope’s people. Hawa watu hawana mambo mingi. 😂
You criticise their religion, they listen until you finish. Nobody is rolling up their sleeves to defend Rome. You came with your mouth, finish talking and go home.
They attend Mass, receive Communion, say Hail Mary, then some pass by their local for a cold beer.
From “peace be with you” to “weka moja baridi” without quarrelling with anybody. 😂
Nobody is inspecting your clothes. Wear the same shirt every Sunday until the collar gives up.
You came to see God, and God already knows that shirt.
No loudspeaker facing somebody’s cows, announcing that the devil has refused to leave the village. The church bell rings, and those who are going start walking.
And they’re not begging you to join. The church has been beside the road since your grandfather was a boy. You know the entrance. Ukijiskia, ingia.
What pleased me most was not being asked to stand up, introduce myself, say who invited me and explain whether I’m visiting or looking for a spiritual home. Yaani I can come and pray without giving the village my CV? 😂
By the time I left, nobody had recruited me into a committee or asked why my wife hadn’t come.
Very disciplined people. Somebody tell the Pope there is a man from Kingeero coming and I already know where the church is. 😂