Today, being competent, talented, or gifted even won't guarantee a successful career. It's not enough to be good. Globalisation and easier access to education and training mean that more and more highly people enter the job market every year. And that's something to celebrate as a collective!
But how can we, individually, make the most of our skills? How do we stand out from the crowd? How do we build successful careers and feel fulfilled at the same time? Is that even possible? The answer is yes. And it all comes down to one thing: Confidence.
When everything looks okay on the outside
You can have low self-esteem and still perform well. It's a little bit like being a functional alcoholic. We all know someone like that. Many have highly paid jobs, a home, a family, a social life. From the outside, everything looks "normal"...but what they feel inside is a whole other story. They struggle, and it's only a matter of time until their distress starts to leave a trail of unwanted consequences.
From playing small at work to self-sabotaging personal relationships, a lack of confidence also has the potential to negatively impact every area of our life. The good news is that anyone has the potential to build their confidence. And no, it's not about brainwashing yourself into thinking you're amazing or repeating positive affirmations (although the latter won't hurt if that's something you enjoy).
The good news
Confidence is both a choice and a practice. It's about having a balanced view of ourselves, healthy boundaries and, most importantly, having a growth mindset. And that, my friends, is something we can all aspire to. Less guilt, more life.
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Would you like actionable strategies to build your confidence? It's time to ditch people-pleasing, compulsive self-doubt and perfectionism. The Confidence Bootcamp opens for enrolment on 9th September. Join the waiting list here
