It is a well-known fact that confidence is an extremely attractive quality. Confidence
comforts people. People who exude confidence easily obtain the trust and respect of
others because they are comfortable in their skin and therefore comfortable to be
around. In the workforce, individuals who are sure of themselves are the ones who
are given more opportunities and who are trusted with greater tasks. People –
bosses, employees, customers, and co-workers, and friends are drawn to self-
assurance. So what can you do to improve your own confidence in the workplace?
Smile
People who smile often are automatically assumed to be confident. In fact, clinical
studies have shown that people who consciously work to smile more increase their
own confidence. Smiling tends to stem from positive thinking, which translates into
a positive attitude. Maintaining a positive attitude is a choice, and confident people
emanate contentment. Need to smile more? Start each day recounting the reasons
you are grateful, and insert reminders throughout the day to reflect on what makes
you happy.
Count Successes
Confident people are more successful. Yet in order to experience success, it is
crucial to set personal and professional goals and benchmarks, and to recognize
them once they are reached. Write down daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals,
and include dates and times that you want to reach them. Be sure to celebrate when
you have achieved them. Measuring successes will increase your confidence, and
you will watch your potential increase, thus causing your confidence to grow.
Surround Yourself With Confidence
“You are the company you keep.” “Walk with the wise and you will grow wise.” “It’s
difficult to soar with eagles when you’re scratching with turkeys.” So many adages
remind us that we become the people that we hang out with. If you want your
confidence to grow, seek out confident people – both in your personal life and in
your professional life. Observe how they talk to and listen to others, how they carry
themselves, how they react to setbacks, how they observe life…and emulate them.
Encourage
Confident people do not have to hog – nor do they even seek out – the spotlight.
They are comfortable and even happy when others are recognized. Encouragement
is one way that true leaders lead. People grow in satisfaction when they are able to
foster the joy and success of others, and doing so increases the encourager’s
confidence.
Increase Your Knowledge
Confident people tend to possess knowledge and wisdom – both about themselves
and about the world around them. If you want to grow in confidence, it is important
to become aware of your strengths as well as your limitations. This helps you to put
your own strengths to work, and it lets you know where you can focus on bettering
yourself. Spending at least 20 minutes each day reading up on areas where you
need to become more knowledgeable will both increase your own credibility and
your confidence.
Confidence is an essential trait the business professionals need to possess in order
to achieve greatness. What steps have you taken to build your own confidence?