5 WAYS TO BUILD MORE CONFIDENCE

What scares you most in business or at work? Is it pitching or public speaking? Maybe you struggle with talking to your managers or boss? Whatever it is, we all have our insecurities.

If you’re a leader, confidence is a must. Your team wants to be directed by someone who knows what they’re doing. They’ll respond to high levels of certainty. It’s how hierarchies work.

The good thing is that confidence can be built. Think of it as a muscle. You’ve got to work on it, be prepared to do the hard yards until you see results. Nobody is born with confidence. Some people embrace it better than others, yes, but everyone can have it.

First, you want to acknowledge it. Explore yourself and find out where you have fear or lack confidence. Try to understand it and the reasons why you might feel this way. Did something happen in the past that’s now triggering it?

Visualise your life as you want it to be, without those fears. Visualisation is a powerful tool that helps you see an image of yourself that you aspire to. It’s about creating the best version of yourself, so you can live it.

From there, set goals. Identify ways to push through the challenges. One step, or goal, at a time. They’ll help you remain accountable and give you immediate milestones and something to refer back to. Take action by giving a few steps to each goal. For example, if it’s to become a better public speaker, your steps could include:

• Write down the bad experiences I’ve had with speaking in front of people
• What’s the worst thing that could happen if I do it again
• Enrol in a public speaking class
• Talk to a friend or mentor who speaks eloquently – get tips.

Settle that inner critic. Your mind is both friend and foe. If you learn how to control those negative thoughts that come in when you’re about to do something you fear, you’ll be able to prove yourself ‘wrong.’ By doing this, you don’t give power to the fear.

For example, if you think that you are a failure, ask yourself, “What evidence is there to support the thought that I am a failure?” and “What evidence is there that doesn’t support the thought that I am a failure?”

Be patient and set yourself up to win. To build confidence, you’ve got to breakdown fears first. Be realistic with your goals and remember that you won’t get it right the first time. If you do, great, but don’t give up if you don’t. Mastering anything takes time. Remember that golden rule of 10,000 hours? Good things take time.