Confidence

There's no magic recipe for self-confidence, but there are certainly a few everyday habits that can set you on the right path. Whether you're stressed, overcommitted, bored, or simply insecure, we've come up with some quick tips to help you boost your self-esteem and maintain a positive attitude. Struggling to feel good about yourself? Here are 11 simple ways to love yourself more:

1. Surround yourself with positive people. Moods and attitudes can be contagious, so if you're hoping to boost your self-esteem, it's important to keep confident company. Steer clear of the Debbie Downers: people who are constantly rattling off their insecurities will only prompt you to acknowledge yours.
2. Be a planner. Organization is key to feeling good on a day-to-day basis, so do what you need to do to stay on top of your schedule. Rushing around, running late, and missing deadlines puts you on the fast track to anxiety, but you can avoid these common culprits by simply tackling your to-do list.
3. Make time to do the things you enjoy. To be your best self, you need to set aside plenty of time for the hobbies and passions that fulfill you. Whether it's long walks, a good book, or a few minutes of art each day, you need to prioritize the simple pastimes that put you at ease.
4. Get plenty of Z's. If you're exhausted and run-down, your mood — and your confidence — is sure to plummet. You need energy to be social and productive, so try to avoid burnout by balancing your work with plenty of R&R.

Keep reading for more confidence-boosting tips.

We're happy to present this article from our partner site Yahoo! Shine:
A new book on finding one's true self has rekindled an age-old discussion with a chapter saying that praise is harmful to kids. But parenting experts tell Yahoo! Shine that praise itself isn't the problem — the issue is that parents have been doing it wrong for years.

Related: Forget Tiger Mothers. Teach People How To Be Good Parents Instead

In "The Examined Life," Stephen Grosz pulls together insights gleaned from 25 years worth of work as a psychoanalyst. He became a father at age 50, and his experiences helping troubled, unhappy adults led him to agree with an old idea — that empty praise does children more harm than good.

Do Confident Kids Have More Future Career Success?

"Admiring our children may temporarily lift our sense of self-esteem but it isn't doing much for a child's sense of self," he told the British newspaper The Sunday Times. "Empty praise is as bad as thoughtless criticism — it expresses indifference to the child's feelings and thoughts."

But parenting experts agree that avoiding praise altogether isn't the answer.

Find out more after the break.

Being intimate with another person can bring out a wide range of awkward, unwelcome insecurities (just ask Girls star Lena Dunham), but if you're struggling with confidence, just a few quick shifts in your routine can be enough to kick self-doubt to the curb. Not feeling so hot about your bedroom abilities? Check out these five easy ways to boost your courage and get in the mood:

1. Know that clothes matter. When you dress up, it can have a major impact on how you feel about yourself — and undergarments are no exception. If you're sporting an old, not-so-cute pair of underwear, you probably won't feel too great about showing them off. To get in the mood, choose clothing that you want to be seen, whether it's a pair of cheeky boy shorts or an all-out silk-and-lace number
2. Share and receive tips from friends. Not quite sure what you're doing? Don't be embarrassed to reach out and learn from your pals. By talking to a friend you trust, you'll let her know that you respect her opinion while taking the mystery out of whatever it is that you're worried about. Even better? You can give her a few pointers, too.

Keep reading for more confidence-boosting tips.

Dating jitters are only natural, but with a few simple tricks, you can escape your embarrassing insecurities and feel poised instead. Can't help but feel awkward on a date? Follow these easy tips to boost your confidence from the inside out:

1. Plan ahead. When it comes to feeling good about yourself, preparation is a major factor. The night before your date, be sure that you sleep well, exercise, or paint your nails — whatever it is that puts a little pep in your step.
2. Dress comfortably. Feeling like yourself is crucial, so wear clothes that are both cute and comfortable. If you feel strange in your own skin, it shows, and when you're fidgeting with a too-tight blouse, he may misinterpret the signs and assume you're feeling awkward because of him.
3. Be on time. Running late is sure to make you agitated, which can throw off your attitude and make you feel self-conscious. Avoid any frazzled, frantic energy by sticking to your schedule and arriving on time.
4. Sit up and smile. What's true for job interviews is true for dates: If you carry yourself well, you'll both feel better and look better. Good posture can trigger the same mood boost that happens when you switch from flats to heels, so sit up straight to look poised and self-assured.

Read on for more confidence-boosting tips.

Self-confidence comes from within, but as a parent, there are several tiny steps you can take to help your children feel good about themselves. By focusing on everyday achievements and offering your kids a sense of independence, you can bolster their confidence in small ways and see a huge payoff.

Hoping to strengthen your child's self-esteem? Check out five simple ways to help them gain confidence.

1. Give out gold stars. You don't literally need to give out gold stars, although it couldn't hurt. When your child earns a high grade or gets recognized by a coach, reward him with something small to motivate him to keep up the good work. Let him stay up a bit later or choose the film for family movie night.
2. Acknowledge both shortcomings and successes. If you high-five your kids for absolutely everything they do, your praise will seem empty and lose its meaning. Don't be afraid to talk about their mistakes and label them as such — it's OK for your kids to do something wrong, and it's OK to acknowledge that they aren't perfect. Let your kids know that every slipup is a learning opportunity.
3. Point out the little victories, too. One of the best way for kids to improve their self-esteem is through small everyday achievements, so do your best to acknowledge them. If only the biggest triumphs are recognized, it'll be harder for kids to maintain a consistently high level of confidence.
4. Practice self-assurance. Set a positive example by showing your own confidence on a regular basis. Don't share your insecurities with your kids, whether it's about your weight or your work performance. They'll be extra motivated to stand tall if they have an enthusiastic role model to emulate.
5. Focus on empowerment. Give your kids a sense of independence so they feel better about themselves. It may seem small, but letting them pick out their own clothes, choose which books to read, or decide what's for dinner every once in a while can do wonders for their confidence.

It's well known that money is the biggest cause of stress in our lives, but it seems that 20 somethings are shrugging off their money worries even though they have much to fret about — the average student loan debt for those who graduated in 2009 was $24,000, according to the Project on Student Debt.

However, heavy student loans and high credit card debt aren't getting new graduates down. The New York Times cited a recent Ohio State University study, which found that students are feeling "empowered" by their debt. The Times says the "more college loans and credit card debt that young adults age 18 to 27 have, the higher their self esteem — and the more control they feel they have over their lives. They tend to view debt positively, rather than as a burden."

It's not exactly clear where all this positivity is coming from.The lead author of the study, assistant profession Rachel Dwyer, says student loans can be attributed to "investment for the future," and credit card debt can be associated with purchases related to job hunting, such as interview wear or books.

Perhaps this confidence stems from the general positivity 20 somethings have because they have their whole lives ahead of them. Did you have a more positive attitude towards debt when you were younger?

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I'm 24 and have never been in a relationship or have lost my virginity. A lot of areas in my life are going great, but I have never been lucky in the guy department. I don't have much experience with being intimate with someone else. I am now at the age where I am getting more self-esteem, more confident, and slowly having a positive view of my body. I have always been self-conscious, so maybe that's a main reason why I haven't been successful with guys.

Last night at a bar, I met a guy and ended up going home with him. I've never done anything like this before. I have dated guys, made out, but never took it to the bedroom. I went all out with him (without insertion). I knew where to stop and I'm not going to lose my virginity to someone I'm not in a relationship with. But I don't feel guilty at all about what happened.

It's unlikely the guy is going to be my bf. I was just having fun. I decided to go to his place because I know I'm a sexual person and I want to get more experience with being close to someone. I loved having someone on top of me, kissing me, etc. . .  I have always wanted to experience that kind of intimacy. I'm aware right now I'm doing this for fun and I honeslty am glad I did it. I feel more confident and comfortable in my skin. I tend to doubt when people say I'm attractive, especially when you are out in a bar. But honestly, I was getting a lot of attention that night — think it's how I'm carrying myself and being happy with who I am. And not just in bars . . . but at work and when I'm out.

I am strangely happy with what happened; the old me two years ago would never do this. There's nothing wrong with doing something like this, is there? I didn't have sex sex with him, but I'm also not going to wait for the right guy to come or to be in a relationship to enjoy myself.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Dear Diary...lots of girls keep their thoughts under lock and key. It's said that many girls grow up believing they can do anything and then become tweens and lose that confidence. The Hidden World of Girls Project gives parents some insight into the minds of their daughters. NPR's initiative asks women to take a picture of a diary page of their youth and upload it to Flickr in an effort to "form a comprehensive tapestry — from elation to depression — of life experiences." The entries thus far include crayon doodles and poetry, an elaborate boy rating system, and records of every day life. Add yours! Or share your best tween kept secrets with your daughter.

"I was 23 when I realized that I wasn't Venus. . . . Since I don’t look like every other girl, it takes a while to be okay with that. To be different. But different is good."

Serena Williams talks about finding confidence in being different — even when she wanted to look like older sister Venus — in August's Harper's Bazaar. If being different means winning Wimbledon for the fourth time then it's very good indeed!