3 top tips to build your confidence at work
Confidence is knowing what you’re good at, the value you provide, and acting in a way that portrays that to those around you, and against popular belief has little to do with your actual ability to succeed but is more about your belief in your ability to succeed.
Sadly confidence isn’t something we’re all naturally born with, but it certainly can be built upon and improved over time.
Improved confidence at work will allow you to become more assertive, do better work and communicate more effectively, ultimately resulting in increased responsibility, promotions and eventually more money.
So if you want to start building your confidence at work here are 3 top tips:
1. Focus on your strengths
As humans, we tend to focus excessively on the areas we lack rather than the areas we excel in, which doesn’t help with things like confidence! Focusing on our strengths, however is hugely beneficial for confidence as it requires us to acknowledge what we are good at and what we excel in.
One way to practise focusing on your strengths is writing a list of all the things you’re good at and all of the things you’ve achieved in the past 6-18 months that you can look back on every time you need a boost.
If you’re somebody that struggles to list your strengths, asking a friend or family member to help you out can be a great shout as often they’ll see things in you that you don’t see yourself!
2. Master your mindset
Mindset is EVERYTHING when it comes to confidence, especially how you talk to and perceive yourself. If your self-talk is constantly overly critical and negative then it’s no surprise that you aren’t feeling confident.
If you’re guilty of negative self-talk, check your mental voice and whether you are filling yourself with negativity or positivity. Practice being kinder to yourself and dedicating some to regularly practising positive affirmations or saving time at the end of the week to reflect on your achievements.
Remember always to pat yourself on the back when you do something good at work, whether nailing a presentation, winning a new client or successfully leading your first meeting, celebrating those small wins along the way will help positively impact your confidence and motivation.
3. Find confident role models
Find people you admire at work or outside of work and ask them if they’d consider mentoring you. Watch closely how they communicate with colleagues at work and other people paying close attention to their body language and the language they use when talking and try mirroring this.
If you’re somebody who isn’t naturally confident practising confident language and body language can increase your self-esteem and confidence massively.
If you can’t find somebody you know personally as a role model try picking your favourite influencer or public figure.
Check out the Talk Twenties Podcast for more advice on becoming more confident in your twenties!
Book recommendation: How to be Confident and Assertive at Work: Practical tools and techniques that you can put into use immediately by Suzanne and Conrad Potts
