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How To Get Self-Confidence and Use It

Lloyd Banks, member of G-unit, the crew that includes Eminem and 50 Cent, is no stranger to the need for self-confidence. He grew up in Queens, Jamaica and used music and his own self-confidence to escape the poverty and street crime around him.

So what advice would he give to people who want to get out of a situation, build confidence and make a success of their lives?

"To market yourself, you've really got to acknowledge your flaws and your pluses," advises Lloyd.

"You're going to notice your strengths and weaknesses before anyone else does, so you want to acknowledge them and fix them. Whatever needs to be fixed, do it before you put yourself out there prematurely. You only have one chance to leave a first impression."

"My mother told me a long time ago, 'Nobody can sell you better than you can sell yourself.' So network, shake hands, even if you don't know who's hand you're shaking, or you'll walk right past someone important," adds Lloyd.

Evidently it's important to work on your faults, polish your strengths and hone your skills. This results in a natural boost of self-confidence and self-belief.

Nelly Furtado">Nelly Furtado has sold nearly 10 million records and has nurtured her own self-confidence along the way, but she knows the importance of not being over confident, as this can equate to arrogance.

"Keep open minded," advises Nelly. "A lot of people shoot themselves in the foot just with their attitude. If they have a negative attitude, or a pretention before they've even achieved anything. You can't be like that. You have to really go through every door that you see and don't close those doors with the wrong attitude."

One way to get the right balance of confidence is to surround yourself with people who make you feel good and support you.

Says UK soul singer, Terri Walker,

"There's a song on my third album called No Matter Whatever, and it's about my girlies. One of my friends is always getting herself in these situations and she always feels embarrassed when she phones to say, 'Oh Terri, I've gone and done it again, and I'm like, 'I'm your friend, no matter what you do, I'm here for you, that's why I'm your friend. I'm not a part time friend, I'm here for everything."

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Related links:

1. CXD-i - Information for Young People