Women have made many strides in nearly every profession, sport and industry in recent decades, exerting their individual and collective strength to overcome obstacles.  Undoubtedly, being confident affects every aspect of a person's life.  However, even the most accomplished women can lack self-confidence in certain areas of their lives.  Here are a few helpful tips and resources to start you thinking about ways to build your confidence in a variety of areas, ranging from style and health to career, personal finance and diversity. 

Confident Style

• Prioritize Style - Looking your best helps boost confidence.  In fact, according to a YWCA online survey, when women were asked what could shake their confidence, not feeling attractive or good about your appearance was the number one response at 62%. Dressing the part can help win attention and gain respect from a peer or potential employee, so it is important to look pulled together.  If it's not in your budget to buy something new, seek help from services in your community.  Women Work (link to website) offers community programs to help women enhance their outward professional image. In addition, if you are involved in a job training agency in your community, ask if they refer women to Dress for Success^®, as they can also assist in providing professional clothing.
  
• Underneath it all - Feeling good should always start from the inside and we're not just talking about personality.  A solid foundation will make your clothing fit better and can help with posture and back health.  However, according to industry experts, 75 - 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size.  Take advantage of the free services of fit experts to make sure you are wearing the right size, as it will help to improve your outward appearance and boost your confidence.  For more information on how to determine your correct bra size, log onto www.curvation.com/fitting_room.php.
  
• Invest in yourself - Can't afford a personal stylist?  Many department stores have free personal shopping services.  Make an appointment for a consultation before your next interview, special occasion or to get some suggestions to boost your seasonal wardrobe.

Career Confidence

• Networking isn't just for "girl talk" - Networking with other women can help you meet other women with similar professional interests and may even help you find a mentor. Strong relationships in your field can help you advance and provide you with a place to turn when you're seeking career input. 
  
• Be your own advocate - Asking for a salary increase or negotiating a salary offer for a new job can be intimidating. Being prepared will help - know what the market salary is for the job and identify your desired range, including the minimum you need to comfortably pay your bills and your ideal salary that will allow you to enjoy a little more T&E. For more helpful tips on how to negotiate your salary, log onto www.womenwork.org.
  
• Don't let casual language cloud another's perception of you. Sometimes we use casual expressions without realizing it. In the workplace, when you speak and write more formally, you are projecting a confident image that will attract positive attention. If you're not sure if your language is as polished as it should be, ask a friend or co-worker you trust to review your work and offer suggestions on how it can be improved. 

Financial Confidence

• Seek an expert to help you tackle issues - Getting control of your finances can decrease the stress in your life and make you feel more in control. The first step is knowing what you spend your money on - from bills to entertainment.  Set a monthly budget and stick to it. There are also free or low-cost services for financial counseling available to help you get control of your debt and manage creditors, so use them! One resource to contact is Consumer Credit Services at 1-800-388-2227 or www.cccs.org.
  
• Trouble saving? Trick yourself!  - To save funds, try stashing money in a bank account that's not easy to access and pay it as an extra bill to yourself. Or, convert a bad habit into a good one - instead of buying another pack of cigarettes, but the money aside.  You'll be surprised how quickly it adds up. Creating an emergency fund will allow you to feel more confident in your ability to support yourself financially and be prepared for the unexpected. 
• Understand what your credit score means and how it can change - For better or for worse, it's important to understand your credit score and how it can affect you. You can get a free credit report from any of the three credit reporting services including Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. 

Confidence for Community Change

• Use your voice and personal experiences to champion community change - If there's an issue close to your heart that needs attention in your community, write down your experience and/or personal anecdotes in the form of a letter to the editor or a letter to your congress person. 
  
• Recognize racial and gender stereotypes and develop a plan to address them - Whether it's on a community level or an interpersonal level, if you identify the negative messages around you and practice a way to challenge them, whether by speaking up if someone tells a racial joke or by simply practicing inclusion of those who are different from you, you will feel more confident in your heritage and your contribution to change.
  
• Get involved in the community - There are many organizations that offer volunteer opportunities from philanthropy to diversity.  The YWCA works to eliminate racism and discrimination through programs and advocacy efforts across the nation (www.ywca.org).  Step Up Women's Network is organization that connects women to volunteer programs, professional development and social networking. Find a cause that motivates you and take action!

Healthy Body, Confident Body

• Know what your milestone tests are - and how the risks differ for different ethnic groups - It's important to identify milestone tests for your age and then actually make time to get those tests/screenings.  This means having the confidence to put your health first. Letting a lack of time or other issues interfere with getting the best care for ourselves can undermine how we feel - and erode our confidence. Click here to for a list of milestone tests for women in their 20's, 30's and 40's and older.  
  
• Size doesn't matter! - No matter who we are, our bodies are predisposed to be what they are - fuller, thinner or in between.  By eating well and being active, your best, natural weight will be revealed. Being curvaceous does not translate to being unhealthy, so remember to always be confident in who you are, no matter what your size. 
  
• Learn the difference between feeding your body and just eating - By satisfying your hunger with wholesome, nutrient rich foods - that can taste good too - you will be better able to avoid unhealthy temptations. Feel confident in your food choices, knowing that the reward is good health.