Building Your Self-Confidence

Throughout my professional life, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a?lot?of great people. People that I’ve learned from and grown professionally. Some of them were my colleagues, some reported to me, some were my bosses, and still others were my clients. Regardless of their role or my relationship to them, though, I’ve noticed that their success was rooted in their confidence in themselves. Confidence to persevere and to thrive, even in the unknown. As you continue to grow your career, building your self-confidence is foundational to success in all things. Let’s make 2023 the Year of Self-Confidence!?

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Each successful person I’ve met has believed in their abilities and skills enough to forge ahead into uncharted waters full of unknown challenges, unclear risks, and unpredictable outcomes. Nowhere is this uncertainty more evident than in the big decisions that can make (or break) careers.?

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I know firsthand how significant those moments can be. In my own professional life, I have made multiple major career?changes. After spending eleven years at?Rolls-Royce Aircraft (where I started as a mechanical engineer and later expanded into public relations roles), I made a 90-degree turn and left that company to spend a total of twelve years heading up operations for two starts-ups (both of which hit it big during my time there!): first I spent a few years at IAC (where I worked for Barry Diller), then I helped found the Oxygen Channel (where I worked for Oprah Winfrey). Fifteen years ago I took my biggest leap yet when I decided to hang up my own shingle, and since then I’ve been on my own as a keynote speaker, trainer, and coach focusing on leadership.

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Was I scared each time I made a big change? You bet! Each time I was leaving something secure and stable to head into the unknown. That kind of uncertainty can fill?anyone?with trepidation!?

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But I acknowledged that fear and decided to move forward anyway. I took those leaps of faith because I was confident in my abilities. I knew that I was likely to encounter obstacles. But I also knew that I would land on my feet and could use my skills and knowledge to find a path to success and help my career.

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You, too, can take that kind of leap! If you want to advance your career, you need to be willing and able to stride forward into uncertainty. Here are the how to’s for building your self-confidence to make big leaps.

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Ignore the Negatives

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I don’t want to speak negativity into existence.

—SZA

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If you’re entertaining thoughts about career advancement, then you already have some belief that you’re ready for those next steps—and that you deserve to take them, too. Lean into those feelings and do what you can to shut out the negative voices that tell you otherwise. Visualize your success and keep that image in your mind.

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Don’t be too self-critical. Sure, there’s room for improvement (there always is—for everyone!). But don’t be fooled into thinking that being mean to yourself is some kind of “tough love” or that “being real” with yourself will motivate you to step up your game. All it will do is crush your confidence and bring you down.?

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While you’re quieting your inner “Negative Nellie,” be sure to tune out external negativity, too. Remember: well-intentioned and well-informed feedback and constructive criticism are actually?positive?things that can help you grow. Groundless complaints or comments that are fueled by personal issues rather than professional concerns, on the other hand, fall squarely in the realm of the negative. Don’t even give those the time of day!?

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Focus on the positive! Remind yourself that you are capable. And when you get compliments and positive feedback from others, accept it gracefully without any “aw, shucks—I don’t deserve this” comments. You?do?deserve it!?

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