Many people lack confidence and this can hold them back in their career. People often put the same value on you as you do on yourself! So here are a few simple tips for helping you to feel more confident about the business persona you wish to create.
- Sit down and make a list of all the things that you think you do well. You’ll probably be pleasantly surprised. So give yourself a pat on the back and be proud of yourself. Whenever your confidence starts to waver, think of this list.
- You’ve congratulated yourself on the things you do well, so now it’s time to think about things that need improvement. Sit down and think objectively about your areas of weakness. Could you write better reports? Could you communicate better with your work colleagues or customers? Could you polish your CV in preparation for applying for a new job? When you’ve done this, make an action plan. Decide how you’re going to eliminate these weaknesses. Could you work a little harder? Do you need to enrol on a course? And make sure you follow through!
- Never undervalue yourself or talk disparagingly about yourself to other people – but by the same token, don’t exaggerate or boast.
- Make sure you know your area of business thoroughly and can do your job better than anyone else on your team. If you don’t know how to do something, don’t try to hide it – find out how to do it.
- And this leads onto the next thing. You’ll only make mistakes if you’re willing to have a go – so don’t feel ashamed of your mistakes. But turn failures into learning experiences and make sure you don’t make the same mistake twice!
- Work on your image. Make sure that whatever the circumstances you feel comfortable and smart. It’s not just about how other people see you – it’s also about the way it makes you feel.
- Get into the habit of networking. You might find it embarrassing to have to network with a room full of strangers, but these days with the Internet at your fingertips and social media such as LinkedIn and Twitter at your disposal, there’s no excuse. And when you’ve made valuable contacts, keep them up… and use them.
- Finally, get the balance right between making sure the boss sees and acknowledges what you are capable of but not alienating the team that you work with. It can take some tact and diplomacy, but it will be well worth the effort.
Author: Diana Nadin
