Do you need to build self-confidence at work? Read on to find out how.
Confidence is a paramount virtue in the workplace. But it is a hard one to build. So my question is, do you want to feel confident when you do your job? Of course, you do!
Everyone should have self-confidence while they’re at work, so learning how to build self-esteem is an essential aspect of your professional life. Having confidence is vital, not only to feel good but to get the job you’re being paid to do.
How to build self-confidence at work
There are certain things you can focus on to feel confident at work; in fact, here are some ways you can build on your self-esteem in the workplace:
1. Don’t hate on yourself
Nobody likes a hater, especially when that person is yourself! That’s why the first thing you’ll want to do to feel confident at work is to cut down on negative language.
Telling yourself that you can’t do something, that you’re not good at something, or that you don’t deserve the job you have is never the right place to start.
This consistent negative self-deprecating can reflect in your work and the way you interact with your co-workers. In general, it’s not a good look.
2. We’re talking about practice
Don’t feel like you have something mastered? That’s fine, and no one master’s something on the first try! What it takes is practice, and you should never confuse a lack of immediate success with a lack of skill.
Understand that your work takes time, and practice is the key to getting better and better. The sky is the limit, after all!
3. Develop New Skills
The worst thing you can do for your self-confidence at work is to get stuck in a pothole. If you feel burnt out, or feel like you’re just not good at your job anymore, it will make you feel less and less confident.
That’s why you should always be looking towards developing new skills so that you avoid the troublesome professional burnout. Try looking into professional development courses, or even things outside of your work life that you’ve always been interested in.
4. Focus on your strengths
Understand that to feel confident, and you have to be confident. You have advantages; see how you wouldn’t have a job without them. Focus on these strengths and the skills you’ve developed. You don’t have to be boastful, but you can certainly be confident.
5. Ask, and you shall receive
Do you feel like you’re not getting something, or you’re not experiencing success in the way you imagined? Asking questions is an easy way to get to the heart of the issue and work towards improvement. Not only is it an endearing quality for a manager/boss to see you asking questions, because it shows development, but it can help you feel more confident in handling tasks. Don’t do it alone; ask for help!
6. Begin each new task with confidence
Has your boss asked you if you’re interested in taking on a new client or project? Take it, better yet, take it with a smile! There’s nothing better for your confidence than added responsibility, within reason, because it allows you to prove your value, and to recognise your worth. Ready to take on a new challenge? You bet you are!
7. Manage your professional environment
Be honest and expressive with your co-workers. Don’t talk bad about yourself, but let them know what you’re good at, and what needs work. The thing you want to do here is to dispel expectations or assumptions about what you can and can’t do. You work with these people every day, so if you want to feel confident, you have to be honest.
Your professional journey is unique to you, but you should always be seeking to come home at the end of the day feeling good, and like you have earned where you are in your professional life. With these tips, you should have a good start on feeling positive and building self-esteem in the workplace. You can also check out this amazing article regarding the cornerstones of high self-confidence.
