Self-Confidence is described as a feeling of trust in one's abilities, qualities, and judgement. The lack of self-confidence is a major impediment to career success, yet during recessionary times, it is our most valuable asset if we are to be one of those who thrive. Self-confidence will invariably improve our performance, and our level of confidence will frequently turn out to be the difference between hearing a "yes" or a "no" from a prospective employer.
Over my seven years as a professional coach, the absence of self-confidence is without doubt the primary obstacle to making positive changes in one’s life and career.
Confidence tends to promote courage, and in that sense it is a way of “tricking” yourself to perform beyond the limits of what you currently perceive to be the bounds of your ability – i.e. “faking it”. If you’ve ever seen the channel four television programme “Faking It”, you’ll know that each volunteer on the programme was given a challenge and in the space of a month they had to do everything they could to “fake it” and fool a group of experts into thinking that they were the real deal! Without exception, each of the volunteers grew their self-confidence as a result of the process.
When I’m coaching people to increase their confidence, an integral part of my approach is to help them “fake it ‘til they feel it”. By testing out new ways of being and repeating these again and again, you will form a new habit. A habit is something you do without thinking and so once you’ve created a new habit, you have gently and comfortably raised your level of self-confidence.
So, I’ll start the “faking it” ball rolling by with a safe and easy step that anyone can take, no matter how much or how little confidence you currently have.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is simply to observe the people you work with, socialise with or notice in the media. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Who do I perceive do be confident?
- Why do I think this person is confident?
- What behaviours or traits or habits do I notice in confident people?