Here's how you can maintain confidence in your career during challenging times.

There is a saying that the more you resist change, the more painful it will be. This has its genesis in the concept that we are energy and energy needs to flow, it needs to move for it to produce. We are in a moving cosmos, nothing is static, therefore this maxim of embracing change is something that needs to be adopted to be adaptable and grab the opportunity to grow, bear in mind that this also demonstrates your emotional intelligence and emotional and spiritual confidence in every step of the process.

Self-confidence doesn't come easily. Invest in yourself by practicing to set daily goals (a great way to focus on your mind), enable yourself to execute the goals and be part of a group that helps you to discuss/share knowledge on other areas. Have a positive thinking enabling you to have a positive body language helping in boosting confidence, thus leading to trusting your talent/skills/capabilities.

Self Reflection - Invest time thinking about where you are today and writing it down (health/work/relationships) and then on the other side of the paper, write your north star. It is the place that excites you yet scares you but isn't dangerous. That is where you want to be. DECLARE IT. Build a Trust Community not a network. Networks are transactional where Trust Communities are like a Trampoline keeping you centered but still holding you accountable. We don't want to lose our way or values. Find People, authors, podcasts that helps you Physically, Intellectually, Emotionally, Socially, and Spiritually. ASK FOR HELP - Clarity and Courage When you declare where you are going in life, people and opportunities start to show up.

Focus on your strengths and skills, and build on them. Set achievable goals and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, and be open to change and willing to pivot when necessary. Take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and surround yourself with positive, supportive people who encourage and believe in you. Continuously learn and develop new skills, and focus on what you can control, taking action accordingly. Remember that others' successes don't diminish your own, and celebrate their achievements genuinely. Keep a record of your accomplishments and reflect on them often to boost your confidence.

Change is a constant in our professional environment. Learning to recognize what you can control and what it beyond your control can help you focus your efforts. Setting daily goals to help you continue moving forward through the changes can also be a lifeline during challenging times.

When setting goals to level up your confidence, you want to compare yourself to a past version of you. A lot of times we can end up negatively impacting our confidence by creating goals based on comparisons or what we "should" want or do. Connect with your heart, connect with your deepest desires and only compare yourself to you. Don't get caught in the comparison game or the game of "shoulds".

Além de estabelecer metas realistas e alcan?áveis, alinhe essas metas com seus valores e propósito pessoal para garantir um senso de dire??o e significado, especialmente em tempos desafiadores. Seja flexível para adaptar suas metas conforme necessário e busque apoio social compartilhando suas metas com colegas, mentores e amigos. Essa combina??o pode aumentar sua resiliência e manter sua motiva??o elevada, proporcionando uma base sólida para sua confian?a profissional.

Setting goals is a powerful way to maintain confidence in your career during challenging times. Goals give you direction, focus, and motivation, helping you stay on track and achieve your aspirations. To set effective goals, identify what you want to achieve and make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Break down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks to help you stay focused and motivated. Write down your goals and track your progress, celebrating your successes along the way. Regularly review and adjust your goals as needed, ensuring they remain relevant and aligned with your aspirations. By setting goals, you'll be able to navigate challenging times with confidence and purpose.

Set clear and achievable goals. Break them into small, manageable steps. Celebrate each milestone to build momentum and stay motivated. This keeps you focused, boosts your self-esteem, and helps you see progress even in tough situations.

Goals are fantastic, we all need goals. Some might be right up there and feel out of reach to begin with but we should also set interim goals that are more easily achievable and even tiny goals that are the next small step. All those smaller goals that we achieve along the way keep us motivated while working our way towards the big stuff. If you only set the big goal at the top you’re more likely to become de-motivated because it looks out of reach or unobtainable because it’s too big a step all in one go. If you break your ultimate goal down into interim objectives and further into small steps, you get your brain on-board, it takes your goal/small step as an instruction and it’ll do everything it can, even subconsciously, to achieve it.

Chapter I of my book is "Invest in Yourself". Invest as early as possible, invest in personal development, and invest in what's suitable for you (not what others say you should). You may think investment requires money. Well, not all do. We are living in a world where information is abundant and knowledge is widely shared. It's true that we need to sieve out false information or some BS, but there are credible free sources for you to upskill yourself e.g. LinkedIn learning, trusted online academies, books that you can borrow for free in library, tap on insights and advice of networks or online communities. When there's a will to learn, there's a way.

Upskilling is essential to maintaining confidence in your career during challenging times. The job market is constantly evolving, and new skills are emerging all the time. By upskilling, you can stay ahead of the curve, enhance your value to employers, and increase your earning potential. Identify areas where you need improvement or want to expand your expertise, and seek out training programs, courses, or certifications that align with your goals and interests. Apply your new skills in real-world situations, and be open to feedback and continuous learning. Upskilling demonstrates your commitment to personal and professional growth, which can boost your confidence and self-esteem.

If you are a non-desultory and enthusiastic person you must be aware that keeping yourself up to date with the new skills is vital to gain self-confidence. Gaining expertise in new technologies, and skills, specially in current era of AI, is very important. You never know that when AI becomes sharp enough to replace you and shattering all of your confidence. Therefore mostly conscientious workers always persuade a path of achieving new skills to stay confident, work smartly and efficiently as well as stay up-to date in their work to be superior than those who don’t adopt new skills.

A professional network may be the exact thing needed to develop, maintain, and/or expand your confidence in your career during challenging times. Some suggestions include the following: 1)Engage actively in industry groups and attend events to expand your network. 2)Focus on authentic relationships, providing value, and staying in touch regularly. 3)Use LinkedIn to share insights, participate in discussions, and connect with peers and mentors. 4)Seek and offer mentorship, as these relationships can provide guidance and support. 5)Regularly follow up with new contacts and stay engaged. Strategic networking opens doors to new opportunities and keeps you connected, supported, and confident in navigating your career challenges.

Networking is a vital component of maintaining confidence in your career during challenging times. Your professional network can provide valuable support, guidance, and opportunities for growth. To network smart, identify key players in your industry and engage with them on social media or at events. Attend conferences, join professional organizations, and participate in online forums to expand your network. Be genuine and authentic in your interactions, offering value and support to others. Nurture your relationships over time, and be open to new connections and collaborations. By networking smart, you'll be able to tap into a wealth of knowledge and resources, helping you navigate challenging times with confidence.

I coach people to maintain a “career highlight reel” to capture the biggest and boldest projects over their career. This provides a roadmap map to CONFIDENCE when having a rough day. This is the proof you’re a high performance and certainty you can do it again. Whether in your current role, new role, or at a new company.

Reflection is a powerful tool for maintaining confidence in your career during challenging times. By regularly reflecting on your experiences, successes, and setbacks, you can gain valuable insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Schedule regular time for self-reflection, asking yourself questions like "What did I learn today?" "What am I grateful for?" or "What can I improve on?" Write down your thoughts, and look for patterns or themes. Use your reflections to adjust your goals, strategies, and mindset, and be open to new ideas and perspectives. By reflecting often, you'll be able to identify areas for growth and development, helping you stay confident and focused.

There are 3 types of people: The first type reflects and learns from one's faults, the second type reflects and learns from the faults of others, the third type... never reflects and never learns. One person's bad experience is another's golden lesson. Don't write off your (or others) bad experiences, write about them. Your experiences can be valuable to someone else, or to your future self. Reflection is key, but not easy. If you find it hard to practice self-reflection, speak to someone you trust, or a coach. The person can be your sounding board to ask you difficult questions, challenge your assumptions or thinking, and brainstorm ideas with you. Reflect, and reach out.

Regular self-reflection is that moment you take to search inwardly to ultimately experience personal growth. I reflect via journaling. Consider different journal types like Gratitude, Daily Achievement, Emotional Check-In, or Self-Awareness Journal. A Creative Expression Journal allows for artistic exploration during reflection moments, and responding to reflection prompts may stimulate deeper insights. With my "Lessons Learned" journal, each day I create an entry where I reflect on the most profound lesson the day had to offer. This practice enhances my self-awareness and clarity, helping me make informed decisions and stay confident. Experiment with journaling to discover what resonates best for your journey of growth and self-discovery.

Reflection and thoughtful thinking are often overlooked as a loss of time, The truth is this is a "lost soft skill", reflection enhances awareness, and clarity and helps to add new perspectives. If you are looking to step forward in your career or step back, the best step is to step back and often reflect on your next steps. And move forward in confidence.

This is a tough one because; you don't want to fall for false positivism or the so-called "toxic" positivism that can lead to frustration and pretenses of well-being. After all, it is based on hype and not real positivism. Yes be aware of trying to keep hopes up, and staying alert, but also respect your inner space when you need to feel your inner critic, just don't let it lash out. Having a balance between being uplifted and knowing when things are just not right are two different things, just focus on the right vibe, and always honor your true inner voice and inner self.

Maintaining a positive attitude is essential for confidence. Positivity helps in managing stress and overcoming setbacks. When I face tough situations, I focus on my past achievements and remind myself of my strengths. I also seek out supportive colleagues and mentors who can offer encouragement and perspective. By staying optimistic and surrounding myself with positive influences, I find it easier to navigate challenges and keep my confidence intact.

Maintaining a positive attitude is crucial to navigating challenging times with confidence. A positive mindset helps you stay resilient, focused, and motivated, even in the face of adversity. To stay positive, practice gratitude by focusing on the good things in your life and career. Reframe negative thoughts and challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Surround yourself with supportive people who uplift and inspire you. Take care of your physical and mental well-being, and engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. By staying positive, you'll be able to approach challenges with optimism and creativity, finding opportunities for growth and success.

A positive mindset isn’t about having to be toxically positive to everything. It’s about normal reactions to events and working from our positive, creative and problem-solving part of the brain. Thinking, acting and interacting with a positive mindset in a solution focused way helps you to operate at your best, work out the best options to move forward and break down any problem into manageable steps. Positivity gets your brain on board to make progress and overcome challenges.

Embrace a growth mindset, recognizing that abilities and intelligence can be developed. Focus on what you can control, rather than getting bogged down by external factors. Practice self-compassion and treat yourself with kindness, just as you would a close friend. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. Stay open-minded and curious, seeking out new knowledge and experiences. Prioritize your physical and mental well-being, recognizing that a healthy body and mind are essential for confidence and success. By considering these factors, you'll be able to navigate challenging times with confidence and come out even stronger on the other side.

Confidence is a self-proclaimed reality. You believe... In you. You... Trust who you are—and what you believe. Don't let anyone take that away from you.