Killer confidence from A to Z.

Maybe your dream is to dance solo at the next talent show. Or perhaps you're dying to talk to that cutie next to you in algebra. Or maybe you want this to finally be the semester you speak up more in class. The one thing you know for sure is that you don't have the guts. Or do you? Make it happen with our A-to-Z guide for feeling fabulously confident!

Accept who you are If you want to improve the way people see you, learn to respect yourself. After all, how do you expect someone to like you if you don't like you? A confident girl loves herself as-is.

Believe in something Take a stand for what you believe in--helping the homeless, saving the whales or your spirituality. Whatever it is, be a spokesperson for your cause. Having something to stand behind gives you a platform for showing off your strength.

Commit to your goals One of the worst things you can do with a goal is give up on it. Try this: Mark up a calendar with what you want to accomplish, giving yourself deadlines. Then note each step as you go along. You'll stay on track and have a record of all the ways you've broken ground.

Dance in your undies at 7a.m. Every girl needs a theme song, so find yours. Then spring for an alarm clock with a built-in CD player, load up your song, and get ready to jump out of bed every morning feeling energized and upbeat. May we suggest Liz Phair's "Extraordinary" or Charity Von's "Take Me Through"?

Every day is a new adventure Each sunrise symbolizes a fresh start, a second chance to succeed. Look at failure as a great opportunity to give it another go or try something else. That boy you broke up with the night before? Relax, because you will get over it in time.

Find your fashion savvy When you look good, you feel good--and feeling great translates to major hallway mojo. But don't feel like you have to conform to the latest trends or look exactly like your buds to turn heads. Find your very own fashion vibe. Wear the clothes you're happiest in, and strut your stuff with style.

Get a gloomy--day gift Next time you see a really cute gotta-have-it sweater or your favorite DVD on sale, buy it. Now, wrap it up in decorative wrapping paper (with a bow!) and stash it in the back of your closet. When a gloomy day rolls along, reach into the back of that closet--and have a mini-celebration for yourself!

Help a sister out! You aren't the only one who lacks confidence--everyone has issues with it from time to time. For real. The difference lies in what triggers each girl to feel less than confident. So help your girls with their self-esteem by generously shoveling out the compliments. Confidence is contagious, so spread the love!

Imagine the ideal "you" If you could picture the best "you," what would she be like? Think of people you look up to and pinpoint what it is you admire about them. That should give you an idea about the positive changes you want to make within yourself.

Just ignore cruel comments You don't need to listen to that guy in English class who laughs at your poem or the girl who spreads rumors about you. You know yourself better than anyone else. They can't tell you who you are. A word to the wise: Negative people act out against you because of a need to up their own self-esteem.

Keep the past in the past Are you struggling over embarrassing stuff that happened months (or even years) ago? Erase them from your memory--'cause they're over and done with! (Thank goodness.) There is nothing you can do to change the past, but you do have plenty of power over the here-and-now. So instead of looking back, be a forward-thinking gal.

Learn to tell a good joke It's true--funny people are perceived as confident. So be able to tell your joke in less than a minute, and practice your delivery of the important details and your punchline. You'll have the gang rolling on the floor.

Make memories When you're down, flipping through a scrapbook of your best times is a lab reminder of how full your life really is. So don't bury party pix, concert tickets and awesome notes from your BFFs in a box. Paste them in a pretty scrapbook, and add to it often. You'll have permanent access to the best parts of your past.

Nothing is out of reach Ever feel like your dreams are as far away as the stars? Thomas Edison, creator of the lightbulb, endured more than 2,000 tests to find the right filament for the bulb. Imagine if he'd given up because it was too much work--you might be reading this by candlelight.

Opt out of the comfort zone Going out for the soccer team or inviting the new kid to sit at your lunch table can be easier said than done. But go ahead and challenge yourself to do things you would not normally do. Stepping outside the familiar provides a variety of new opportunities. Try new things, and don't let fear overcome you.

P Pamper yourself!

Make a date with yourself to sit back and relax. Lack plans on Sunday? Wake yourself up to warm cocoa, and cozy up in a chair with a fuzzy blanket and a good book. Take long, luxurious bubble baths, and paint your nails. Splurging on yourself is refreshing and rejuvenating.

Q Quiet down

Some girls are known for being chatterboxes. Being outgoing is great, but speaking out before you think about what you're saying can be dangerous. There's wisdom in that old adage about silence being golden, so pipe down a bit while you choose your words carefully. Your sentences can express kindness ... or not. How are you speaking to the people around you?

R Remember your roots

Your family has helped develop who you are. Even though spending time with the ram can seem dull compared to a night out with your friends, remember that your family will always be there for you. Take the time to learn about your heritage and history, and take pride in your family. They love ya!

S Smile

You can always brighten someone's day with your gorgeous grin. Smile at babies in the mall (they almost always smile back), a familiar face across the classroom and even your parents' corny jokes. Smiling makes everything seem just a little bit brighter.

T Take chances

If you don't jump at once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, you will always wonder what the outcome would have been. Try out for the lead in the play, or ask a new friend to hang out. If you don't make the cut or your friend declines, it's OK! You tried, and now you know that you gave it your best shot.

U Uniqueness is you

Stay original. No one likes cookie-cutter people. Who wants to walk, talk, dress and act like everyone else on the planet? There's only one you, so show the world your differences.

V Vida Loca

Tap into your spontaneity, and knock out that shy side. Take on a dare, and demonstrate that you don't always take yourself so seriously.

W Walk tall

Studies show good posture can enhance your appearance and even self-esteem. Standing up straight and not slouching in class can show confidence. Keep your chin up, eyes forward and back straight.

X X-amine your friendships

Do you have the best friends a girl could wish for? Do they get excited when you make the team? Help you through the tough stuff? Strong friendships take work. The best friend is one who will talk to you at 3 a.m. about your parents' recent split. And you'd do the same for her, right?

Y You can learn

When your teacher tells you she really likes the poem you turned into her but that you should change the first stanza, don't be offended. Confident girls are always open to kind criticism. It might open your eyes to how you can improve. The truth is that you can learn a valuable lesson from almost every person you meet.

Z Zzz ...

Get more sleep! How are you supposed to be confident and walk tall if you are too tired to even hold your eyelids open? A good eight to 10 hours of pure sleep will get you ready for the day ahead. Then you can conquer life with those peepers shining bright!