In an old Telugu movie, a timid king had to fight his enemies. A priest gives him an idol to preserve it in his clothes for an assured victory. The king wins the battle but finds that he had lost the idol while fighting. He realises that it is the faith that gave him the victory and not the idol.

Self-confidence is the assuredness of your ability and personal judgment. It is something you 'act' on, not something you learn from. There are a few practical exercises to help you to overcome this deficiency. For example, when you are suffering from chronic inferiority complex, change your circle of friends.

They are the people who always want to give you suggestions, indirectly making you believe that they are 'above' you. Note that others make you feel inferior only if you allow them to do that. Most confident people also have insecurities. Building confidence involves two steps.

Realise where you currently are; and question yourself, why should you believe your reasoning? Secondly, understand where you want to be and what beliefs you will need to get there. Identify the reasons and insecurities that make you feel inferior. Go to the root of the problem.

Inferiority is a state of mind in which you declare yourself a victim. When you attend a meeting, do you sit in the back seat though front rows are vacant, as we find it with many students in rural areas?
Identify your success areas to gain confidence. While talking, if you are not able to look straight into the opposite person's eyes and avoid his looks, it shows your fear or guilt. Do you know that your body language has a great effect on your confidence level?

Raise your shoulders and your head, walk faster than what you are habituated to and see how it boosts your confidence levels just in a few days. Remember the old American saying, "Go out into the world and sing as if no one is listening, dance as if nobody is watching and you will start enjoying your presence".