How to become more confident at work

Being confident is an essential trait that can help you succeed in the workplace. It’s that special sauce that makes you believe in yourself and your abilities, no matter what.

But we all know that building confidence isn’t something that happens overnight. Especially if you have made a mistake at work before, your self-doubt starts to increase and hinders your performance.

The most tricky thing about Lowered self-confidence is that it actually often prevents you from doing the things that help you grow confident.

Knowing how to take your power back and build confidence gives you a significant advantage in life.

That’s why I’m sharing some simple habits you can begin to practice everyday to get more and more confident.

1.Focus on your strengths

Identify your strengths (not your weaknesses) and find ways to use them to your advantage.

For example, if you’re good at problem-solving, you can volunteer to lead a project that requires creative problem-solving skills. Focusing on your strengths can help you feel more confident in your abilities and make you stand out as a valuable asset to your team. You will also need you to silence the voice in your head that keeps telling you that you are not good enough.

2. Dress for success

You’ve certainly heard people say “Dress the Part”. It’s no wonder why CEOs or leading professionals dress in a certain way – whether it’s the business suit, dark coloured ties, pencil dresses or power suits.

Dressing in a certain way can have a significant impact on your confidence levels. This is not about wearing expensive clothes or following every fashion trend. Instead, it means dressing appropriately for your job and the expectations of your workplace so you feel more confident in your appearance and stand out in a positive way.

Do you work remotely? The expectation remains the same and should even be higher. People can only see a head shot of you, some have never met you in person. Therefore you need to work twice as hard to convey confidence. Still tumbling out of bed in PJs minutes before your zoom call starts? This unpreparedness breeds an unprepared and casual mind and is no good for your confidence.

3. Set goals and track your progress

Setting goals is crucial for building confidence at work. It’s essential to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and a plan for getting there.

If you’ve never set goals before start small, make a list of what you plan to achieve in one day/week. Then break each goal into simple steps that can help you achieve the goal.

For example, let’s say you want to complete a 2000 word report by Friday. Your achievable steps could include – finding 5 good sources on Monday and writing 500 words everyday from Tuesday to Friday. Setting and tracking small, achievable goals is a great way to build momentum and keep you motivated. It allows you to see how far you’ve come and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

4. Practice self-care

Self-care is essential for building confidence. Many people are exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally and just don’t have enough to put their best selves forward due to stress. Ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, and take breaks when needed. When you feel good physically and mentally, you’ll be more confident and productive at work.

5. Take on challenges

Leave your comfort zone. If nothing you do requires a bit of a challenge, you will hardly feel a sense of achievement.

It’s essential to step outside your comfort zone and take on new opportunities that stretch your abilities and help you grow. Don’t be afraid to take risks and learn from your failures. Taking on challenges can help you develop new skills, build resilience, and boost your confidence levels.

6. Get confident by Speaking up

Do you share your ideas, opinions, and feedback in meetings, conversations, and other work-related discussions. Or are you always mute?!

Speaking up can help you assert yourself and show others that you’re confident in your abilities. It’s also an excellent opportunity to showcase your expertise and make a positive impact on your workplace.

7. Ask for and Embrace Constructive feedback

Embracing feedback is an essential part of building confidence. It’s important to seek feedback from your colleagues, supervisors, or mentors and use their feedback to improve your skills and performance. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and build your confidence over time.

8. Learn from failures

Failure is an inevitable part of any career. However, the key to building confidence is to learn from your failures. Instead of dwelling on your mistakes, reflect on what you can learn from them and how you can improve. By learning from your failures, you’ll become more resilient and confident in your abilities.

9. Surround yourself with positivity

Surrounding yourself with positive and supportive colleagues, friends, and mentors is a great way to build confidence. Seek out people who believe in you and your abilities and who will encourage you to succeed. It’s essential to stay away from negative influences that can bring you down and undermine your confidence levels.