Go shopping with an adult and ask for their opinion on your selections. Look for clothing that is high quality and well made. Fast fashion or trendy styles may look good at the moment, but it’s a smarter move to invest in pieces that will last you longer than a few weeks. Put some effort into your appearance by doing your hair, making sure your clothes are clean, and putting cologne or perfume on.

Look at How to Organize Your Bedroom and How to Deep Clean a House for tips and tricks for keeping your space clean.

Reach out to your guidance counselor at school, or to your community leaders. You can also look for a mentor in a family member or a close family friend. Look at programs like the Boys and Girls Club, which connects young people to role models and mentors in their community. [6] X Research source

Obtaining your driver’s license is a big step to becoming more responsible and independent. You no longer have to depend on someone else, such as your parents, to drive you around or adhere to someone else’s schedule when you need to get to a date or an important meeting. Even if you decide not to get a car, having your license means you always have the option of renting a car for a trip or driving someone else’s car as their designated driver after a night out. Getting better at cooking is a great way to gain more independence and become more confident as a person. Start small and tackle small dishes like a sandwich for lunch or stir fry for dinner. Look online at simple recipes that take under 30 minutes to prepare. [8] X Research source Offer to cook for your parents one night, or for a friend to show off your new skills. The more you practice cooking, the more confident you will become in the kitchen.

Set up a meeting with a financial advisor to discuss smart ways to invest your money. Create a budget, broken down by month. Focus on putting as much money as possible into your savings account. This money could go to other very adult things like a car, a home, or a big trip. [10] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Business Review Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices Go to source Avoid splurging on clothing or other unnecessary items. This will show the adults in your life that you are serious about being responsible for how and when you spend your money. Taking control of your finances will also benefit you as a person and give you more self-confidence in the company of other adults.

If you do receive negative feedback, focus on how you can improve your work based on that feedback. Don’t overanalyze the negative comments or whine about the negative outcome. Instead, look at how you can use the feedback in a positive way to get better at your job or at your studies.

Being confident, rather than arrogant, will also allow you to consider other peoples’ points of view and show that you can act as a good leader and role model for others. [18] X Expert Source Lynda JeanCertified Image Consultant Expert Interview. 17 November 2020.