Source: bizjournals.com
I’ve found that when professionals value themselves and their abilities, their confidence expands.
I saw this firsthand years ago, when I was asked to speak at a conference for small-business owners on how to find potential clients.
During my presentation, I offered to do some laser coaching for the participants. The first person to raise their hand was a woman who had been working in healthcare for many years and, as her children had become more independent, decided to take a three-year training program to become a health coach.
She had completed the program but felt stuck in promoting her services because she compared herself to others who had been in the health coaching field longer. After listening, I said to her, “You have a right to be in the room. You have a rich background of professional experience and life skills that will contribute to your new career.”
I told her, “You just have to value them more.
One way I help clients value their previous professional experiences is by asking them how they got to this point in their career. It’s a deeply revealing exercise as they share with me what fed their determination to go to college, move across the country, or work long hours.
Psychologically speaking, it’s powerful to remember that you were the catalyst for all your achievements. That knowing becomes the foundation for confidence and provides inner security.
When the woman I coached in that audience reconnected to what she had accomplished over the years, she was lit up with excitement about her new career path. That connection to her efforts shifted the insecurity she had about working with clients.
Most clients I work with understand that having confidence can make or break your career.
But why is it so important?
I’ve found there are three specific reasons.
Visibility
As you become more confident, your abilities will be more noticeable to others. Lean into the skills you are naturally good at and set goals that are specific and doable. From there, you can expand into more areas, which allows confidence to grow.
Opportunity
As your visibility starts to grow, professional opportunities will increase. This is a clear sign that you are being noticed. To prevent yourself from chasing after everything offered, weigh each opportunity against your professional goals. This will help keep you on track.
Expertise
The more opportunities you have, the deeper your expertise develops. As your expertise becomes established, professional credibility builds, followed by the value you deliver. This will amplify the importance of your role either in an organization or in your own business.
How to build your confidence:
- Take small actions :Action inspires motivation, not the other way around. Create momentum with small steps such as speaking up in a meeting, following up with potential clients, or volunteering to manage a project.
- Physicality informs mentality: A solid stance, upright posture, and steady eye contact can shift how others perceive you. It also affects how you perceive yourself. When your body feels grounded, your mind often follows.
- Track your achievements: Your confidence will grow when you acknowledge the positive feedback you receive, along with noting your accomplishments. Don’t dismiss these achievements; instead, use them to bolster your confidence.
Confidence is not static and can be cultivated at any point in your career. Knowing the value of who you are and what you have to offer others becomes a powerful resource for professional success.