The best way to build confidence

Everyone could do with more confidence, right?

We all have moments where our confidence takes a knock.

Maybe you just got ignored in a meeting.

Or worse, someone in the meeting made the same point you already made, as if it were new information. And then everyone agreed!

Maybe you thought you just wrote an awesome report but your boss has torn it to shreds.

Or you want to apply for a new role, but don't think you meet all the requirements.

Different scenarios impact us all differently - but we're united in our occasional dips into low confidence.

So what's the best way to build and improve confidence?

Many people believe that if they're confident enough, and feel ready, they will then take action towards what they want.
 

But the opposite is true - confidence comes from taking action.

This week, I learned from my friend and fellow coach Brooke Kalan that 'confidence' comes from the Latin meaning 'with trust'.

So the definition literally means if you take action and trust yourself, your confidence will grow. 

It's about making the leap forward, trusting and knowing confidence will follow.

You must have noticed how your confidence grows the more you practice something. The same applies with new opportunities at work. The first time doing anything can be scary. You can't wait for confidence before taking action, or these opportunities will pass you by.

So this week, the action is to reflect on where you're holding back. Where in your life are you not taking action because you're lacking confidence? Take this note as the final push you needed. Do it. Your confidence will grow.

Let me know how you get on.