The Confidence Blueprint: Building Professional Success from Personal Passions.

Have you ever noticed how we can be incredibly confident in one area of our lives while feeling completely out of our depth in another? Recently, I worked with a client who was a master at solving complex puzzles – the more challenging, the better.

She'd intentionally choose the most difficult ones, viewing them as exciting challenges rather than overwhelming obstacles. Yet when it came to executive meetings, her confidence vanished.

This got me thinking: what if we could transfer our problem-solving abilities from one domain to another?

The Puzzle Master's Mindset.

My client's approach to puzzles was fascinating. When faced with a particularly challenging section, she never got frustrated. Instead, she had developed powerful strategies:

• She'd take strategic breaks when stuck
• Switch focus to a different area of the puzzle
• Problem-solve creatively, organising pieces by shape rather than colour when traditional methods weren't working

The most striking thing is that she found this process relaxing and fulfilling rather than frustrating. Each puzzle she completed motivated her to tackle an even more challenging one.

Reframing Professional Challenges.

What if we viewed our professional challenges through the same lens? That presentation you're dreading or that high-stakes meeting isn't so different from a complex puzzle. It's simply a different type of challenge to solve.

Here's how we can apply a puzzle-solver mindset to professional situations:

Environment Design Matters.

Just as my client discovered that keeping her puzzle visible (rather than tucked away in a cupboard) made it easier to engage with, we can set ourselves up for success professionally. This might mean preparing your meeting materials the day before or creating a comfortable workspace that helps you feel confident and in control.

Embrace the Strategy of Shifting Focus.

When stuck on a puzzle piece, my client naturally moved to a different section. In meetings, when you feel anxious about asking a question or sharing an insight, you can:

• Shift focus from yourself having to be perfect to how you can contribute to others
• Reframe speaking up as an opportunity to show your value and demonstrate your skills
• Focus on the bigger picture; this is one meeting; it will not make or break your career
• Shift your focus from your anxiety to the other participants; watch their body language and notice what isn't being said

Reframe Your Self-Talk.

Instead of saying, "I am anxious," try ", I'm noticing feelings of anxiety right now." This creates a gap between you and the emotion, just as there's a gap between you and a challenging puzzle piece. You wouldn't identify with a difficult puzzle section – you'd simply see it as a temporary challenge to solve.

Visualisation as Your Mental Puzzle Map.

Just as you might visualise how puzzle pieces fit together, try visualising successful meeting outcomes ahead of the meeting itself. Close your eyes and spend a few seconds focusing on the desired end result:

- See people engaging positively with your ideas

- Imagine yourself asking insightful questions with confidence

- Focus on the feeling of accomplishment you want to have afterwards

Athletes know this strategy well, like Olympic medalist Michael Phelps. “When I would visualize,” Phelps says. “It would be what you want it to be, what you don’t want it to be, what it could be. You are always ready for whatever comes your way.”

It's not to say you can predict or control an outcome, but you can prepare how you want to show up, and that is where the power lies.

From Good to Great: Raising Your Game.

My client rated her current meeting performance as a six out of ten. If you watched a replay, you would see her sharing information confidently and delivering on the job. But internally, she still had massive anxiety, didn't look forward to the meeting, and questioned her performance before and after.

To reach an eight out of ten, she wanted to have a sense of excitement for the meeting and not overthink everything. I asked her what she would need to believe to make this an eight out of ten meeting. We identified the following new beliefs:

• Recognise her equal place at the table
• Acknowledge the value she brings
• She was chosen to present because she has built trust and is knowledgeable
• Not put executives on a pedestal above her; she is their equal despite their level

When you are facing the same challenge of self-doubt or low confidence, ask yourself: What would you need to believe to overcome this mental block?

The Confidence Puzzle.

Here's the fascinating truth about confidence: it's built through action, not waiting to feel confident first. Each time you ask a question and receive a positive response, you're placing another piece in your confidence puzzle. Eventually, just like with challenging puzzles, you won't think twice about tackling difficult professional situations.

Your Turn to Solve.

Think about an area where you excel – where challenges energise rather than drain you. How can you transfer those problem-solving strategies to areas where you feel less confident?

Remember, you've already proven your ability to tackle complex challenges, whether they be in art, sport, puzzles, maths, or word games. Now, it's time to apply that same courageous attitude to new puzzles.

After all, every meeting, presentation, or professional challenge is just another challenge waiting to be solved.

You're already an expert in something.

Success leaves clues.

You just need to transfer those skills to a new domain.

Here's to solving your next challenge,

Warm wishes,

Lori

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