We'd all like to be more confident in life, but it's not always easy.

Here are a few simple but actionable tips backed by science to boost your self-confidence.

1. Stand tall

As researcher Amy Cuddy explains in her popular TED talk on power posing, a tall and expansive posture can increase confidence-boosting hormones in your body and make you feel more powerful.

2. Listen to upbeat music

Research shows that listening to bass-heavy tunes may have the power to make you feel more confident.

3. Recall a time when you were powerful

Channel a moment from real life when you achieved success and felt accomplished to help you feel and act more confidently.

4. Groom yourself and dress for success

Make an effort to put yourself together: take a shower, get a clean shave, put some makeup on.

Choosing outfits associated with confidence can improve your image and give you a surge of self-confidence.

5. Learn a new language

Learning a new language sharpens cognitive skills, which can boost life satisfaction and make you feel more confident.

Confident or arrogant?

自信还是自大？

There are many ways to give your self-confidence a boost, but when is too much of a good thing a bad thing? Some people exude an attractive amount of confidence, and then there are those who reek of arrogance. Here are a few tips to keep in mind from becoming too self-absorbed.

有很多能让自己提升自信的方法，但是什么时候会过犹不及呢？有些人的自信就很适度，也有些人总是让人感觉很自大。这里有些小贴士，你要牢记，防止自信变自大。

1. Competitive 竞争

Now and then, a little healthy competition is a good source of motivation, but arrogant people see the world in black and white: they're either superior or inferior to others. They often make condescending remarks that put others down. Confident people don't feel the need to offend those around them in order to feel good. They can be competitive without being heartless, and they're just as good at collaborating.

良性竞争确实能够激励人进步，但是自大的人的世界非黑即白：要么就是比别人好，要么就是不如别人。他们经常自以为高人一等，爱打击别人。而自信的人就不会因为冒犯了别人而感觉良好。要竞争但无需无情，这样的竞争跟合作一样作用非凡。

2. Conceit 自负

Arrogant people are full of themselves, and believe they have the best everything. The best story, the best advice, the best opinion, the list goes on. They constantly one-up others and butt in with their two cents even when it's not asked for. Self-confident people give everyone their turn to talk and celebrate others' success without mentioning their own accomplishments.

自大的人想的全是自己，并认为他们拥有最好的东西。最好的故事，最好的建议，最好的观点，等等。他们经常有欲望要超过别人，还经常给别人一些不需要的帮助。而自信的人则是会给别人机会谈他们的成功故事，而不会老提起自己的成功。

3. Criticism 批评

Arrogance is often a mask worn to cover up insecurities. Highly egotistic individuals ignore their shortcomings and shift blame to others whenever possible. There's always a reason why something went wrong in their hands that has nothing to do with them. People who are self-assured understand that no one is perfect and are willing to admit their faults and own up to their mistakes.

自大是掩饰不安全感的面具。高度自我的人无视自己的缺点，把错误全都迁怒于别人。他们负责的事情出了错时，他们总有理由说责任不在他们身上。而自信的人会理解，没有人是完美的，愿意承认自己的缺点和错误。