Have you ever felt like everyone else in the room is more confident, more able or more qualified than you? A lack of self-belief or even imposter syndrome has made itself at home in your head and thoughts like, ‘I wish I’d asked that question’, ‘they’re more professional’ or ‘I’ll never be able to present like that’ whizz round your brain as negative self-talk takes over.
Instead of beating yourself up, mixing a little ‘fake it till you make it’ energy with the real you can work wonders. Plenty of us feel insecure in new situations so wanting to run a mile from them is completely natural. But what if you’re running away from a fantastic opportunity to make strides in your new career, meet a brilliant contact or gain some experience?
When you’re starting out there’s an element of imitating confidence, competence and an optimistic mind set that’s helpful but that’s where the faking has to stop. It’s purely to get you started – to shut down the unhelpful voices and to propel you forward. It’s authenticity that counts, a solid approach backed up by skill and a true personality. So, stay in the room, speak to that contact or say yes to that experience – you can do it.
Here are our top five confidence boosters when it comes to believing you have what it takes:
- Don’t be afraid to seek people out with experience and learn from them. What tips have they got? What have they learnt as they’ve progressed? Show an interest in those with more established careers and spend time finding out how they got to where they are. People want to share and most will be willing to pass on their wisdom. In doing this you’ll be seen as someone with a genuine interest and desire to progress.
- Allow yourself time to grow. Appreciating that you’re at the start of something – whether it’s a job or a project – and that you’re not an expert is a great springboard into positive relationships and memorable lessons. Be open to ideas, be respectful of those around you and listen. Listening is nearly always more powerful than talking.
- Don’t worry about making a mistake. If things go wrong always consider how you can grow and improve. What could you do next time? From the graduate walking through the door to the CEO, everyone’s constantly learning and trying to do better. Things don’t always go according to plan but evaluating your own performance and looking for ways to improve is crucial to success in the workplace.
- It takes all sorts. The culture of a company is made up of multiple personalities so don’t try to be something you’re not. Faking it here leads to all kinds of problems and you will be found out. If a company selects you, or you land an exciting opportunity, be yourself. You will have been selected because you ‘fit’ and so be authentic and true. You’ll be trusted and people will feel comfortable working with you.
- Step out of your comfort zone. Are you petrified of presenting? Does speaking in public make your heart race? Often the best way to conquer a fear and acquire new skills is to take it on. Reframe your fears as opportunities and focus on your abilities rather than the potential pitfalls. Suggesting you co-present with a colleague is a great step towards growing independence.
Confidence takes time and work, constant self-reflection, resilience and the ability to act on feedback. And remember, everyone started somewhere with their own doubts and fears, it’s just all about the positive steps you take to overcome them.