Ah, self-confidence! We all want it, right? But what is it really? Let’s start with 4 basic premises:
- Self-confidence does not have a universal meaning: we all identify it with something different;
- Being self-confident does not necessarily correspond to being extroverted. Imagine a very shy and reserved scientist explaining the Big Bang: their profund knowledge of the topic is ultimately what gives them confidence.
- Self-confidence should not be confused with over-confidence, or arrogance. A person can be self-confident while remaining humble and realistic about their abilities.
- Last but not least, boosting your self-confidence can be done and can be FUN!
But let’s start with the serious stuff: what does it mean to be self-confident? Is it charm and charisma? Or the ability to persuade and influence others? Or being perceived as inspiring and smart?
The real question is: what does it mean to you? Think of someone that you consider self-confident. What is it specifically that you admire in this person? What can you learn from them? Let us guess: you probably thought of someone who is great at doing something that you are terrified of, like speaking in public, meeting new people, arguing an opinion, etc.
Your lack of confidence is usually rooted in a negative belief that you hold about yourselves and your abilities, for example “I am not good at speaking in public”. But what evidence do you have that this perception is actually true? Looking at the bright side: think of a time when you did manage to [do that thing that terrifies you], what was different in that occasion?
Are you ready? It’s time to find out how you can kill a low self-confidence!
You have probably heard of empowering affirmations and positive thinking as valuable techniques to change your perceptions and reprogram your subconscious mind. We believe that they can be a good starting point, but they need to go hand in hand with acquiring new skills and setting challenges for yourself that you can actually complete and celebrate. At the end of the day…
Knowledge + experience = competence –> confidence!
Remember that scientist we mentioned at the beginning? What knowledge/skills can you acquire that will build you competence? And how?
And moving on to the practical side: what is the very first thing that you can do to start overcoming that fear? Write down the first SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, measurable, timed) step that you can take. When will you do that? And how will you celebrate when you finally make it? We are not striving for perfection here, just for action!
If it all sounds like a biiig effort… wait for it, the best part is coming now!
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
What does this have to do with confidence, you ask? Well, a lot! Avoiding to take risks and never disrupting your routine is closely connected to fear of failure and disappointment in others or ourselves.
Doing something for the first time is liberating, empowering, memorable! It forces you to step out of your comfort zone, to get rid of insecurities and to believe more in yourself and your abilities… a part from being exciting and fun!
That’s why we officially launch #TCHallenge. Here are the rules:
- Do something you’ve never done before this weekend (like hitchhiking in a spider-man dress!) 🕷
- Take a picture 🖼
- Post your challenge with the tag #TCHallenge on
- Instagram 📷 @thecoachingheads
- Facebook 👍🏼@thecoachingheads
- Twitter 🐤 @HeadsCoaching
Let us know how your new first time boosts your confidence and start your own revolution now!
PS: We are experts in questioning those insecurities and turning that comfort zone upside down – contact us to know how!
