What if you could boost your confidence at work to speak up more, take on more challenging projects and generally be braver in your career or business? What if instead of doubting your skills, abilities and natural talents, you could step into your own career and business and stop acting like you don’t already have everything you need? What if you could boost your confidence at work?
As working women, it can be challenging to find our sweet spot when it comes to tapping into our confidence in the workplace. I know it has definitely been for me, and still is in many instances. However, I also strongly believe that confidence is not necessarily one of those things you’re born with. Not only can you acquire it, you can grow it, mold it and boost it to fit who you are and where you’re going in life.
I went from zero confidence in myself, to pushing myself to doing some of the things that I was most afraid of. From appearing on video to sharing public pictures of myself, to going after my wildest dreams, I’m learning to do more brave work. And there are a few tips that have been helping me, and so many other women, rise above our fears and tap into that confidence we have:
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Stop beating yourself up!
One of the worst ways we can destroy our self-confidence is to talk ourselves negatively. Negative self-talk not only dampens your enthusiasm, but it robs you of any power to control your career, and life in general. Instead, adopting a positive mindset and attitude can help us stop beating ourselves up!
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Keep learning!
One of the best ways to get more self-assured is to keep on learning! From keeping up with the latest research to taking trainings and signing up for seminars, the more knowledge we have, the more it can boost our confidence.
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Know (and use) your strengths!
What are you good at? What comes naturally to you? Very often, those are the exact things we neglect in our careers or businesses, and instead focus on doing what everyone else is. Tap into those strengths and natural abilities and combine them with your career or business.
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Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
A lot of our fear comes from the fact that we may not have all the answers. However, we’re not supposed to. A strong sign of confidence is to have the courage to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to challenge your lack of knowledge in any area, and inquire about what you don’t know.
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Watch your language!
How do you talk about yourself? What words do you use to describe yourself? Very often, we can talk down to and about ourselves without even realizing it. This may mean limiting the instances when you say things like “I can’t…”, or “How could I…”. Instead, find ways to do more of what you think you cannot do, or learn how you can accomplish these.
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Celebrate your success!
How often do you recognize your own accomplishments? How many times do you celebrate yourself? This is not just to brag or show off. Recognizing that you are able to accomplish great things is a great way to boost your confidence. On those instances when you lose your confidence, remind yourself of those instances when you achieved so much!
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Fake it ‘til you make it!
When dealing with a new challenge or task, it’s normal to feel that you don’t have all the skills or talents you need. The same happens when starting a new job, or being exposed to a new area. This is when faking it ‘til you make it comes in handy. Act with confidence, even when you don’t feel like it, and notice the difference in your mindset and performance.
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Say yes more often
Are you afraid of taking on new challenges at work or in your business? Saying yes more often, and saying yes to the right opportunities, can help you boost your confidence as well. Dare to get outside of your comfort zone, and saying yes to opportunities that would normally scare you.
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But learn to say no!
In the same token, learn to stand up for yourself and say no to activities and tasks that keep you from being your best self. It can be a challenge to say no to opportunities not aligned with our purpose; however, learning to do so and practicing it, can go a long way towards establishing our confidence.
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Enjoy the ride!
There’s nothing like laughing at yourself, enjoying your experiences, and being generally light-hearted can help you improve your confidence in ways you’d have never thought possible.
How do you boost your confidence at work?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sister.
