Two of the most googled words are “self-confidence”….do you think your self-confidence is related to your etiquette?
Most people would like to be more confident in some parts of their lives, but what is self-confidence?
Webster defines confidence as: “faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way.”
I often find that people do not realize that manners, etiquette and self-confidence are directly related.
If you know the proper way to act and are not afraid of embarrassing or humiliating yourself, then this cannot help but add to your confidence in handling situations and relating to people.
This year, as part of our new year’s resolution, let us improve our self- confidence by getting back to the basics of life; showing respect for ourselves, first in the form of manners and etiquette and giving that away to others, which enables respect and confidence to come back to us.  

How we get self-confidence
We have talked about what confidence is and knowing with certitude how to act in the proper or right way.
So how does this come back to you in the form of self-confidence?
When you do not embarrass yourself by knowing the proper way to act, you show respect for yourself and others.
This is important because we all have heard that what you give is what you get…..and that in-fact, your self-confidence is your perception of what other people think of you.
This is a very important concept.
What people think of you is the perception you have given them to think.  
What you have given them to think comes back to you in your belief of who you are -  your self-confidence.
If we begin to understand this, is it possible that in 2009 we could be more self-confident by being more polite, understanding; you need one to have the other?  
What a wonderful thought to begin the new year.

The Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette specializes in teaching confidence, helping people handle life’s events and changes with style, savvy and polish. We offer seminars and consulting services in business etiquette, and medical office protocol. www.charlestonschoolofprotocol.com

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