How to Build Your Confidence Part 1: Celebrate Your Success
Ever wish that you felt a bit more confident? That your self-doubt wasn’t so loud and that you could take up space in the room like everyone else seems to be able to do?
You’re not alone.
As coaches, the question of how to feel more confident is something we explore and support almost every client with.
Whenever faced with change or a new challenge, that could be changing jobs, starting a business, public speaking, or taking on a new client or project, it can trigger a lot of fear and self-doubt. This is something we certainly have first-hand experience of!
So we’re launching this Confidence Building series, to share with you our favourite evidence-backed, tried and tested tools and strategies for cultivating self-belief, tapping into your authentic confidence and unlocking your potential to help you live the life you dream of.
Because when we are stuck in self-doubt and self-criticism, guess what? We are definitely not achieving our goals or enjoying ourselves. And that sucks.
So let’s get stuck in.
First things first, we need to remember how far we’ve already come.
“We always look at the mountains in front of us and forget the mountains behind us were just as hard to climb.” Mimi Kennedy, Mom
It’s true, when faced with a challenge, we tend to forget all of the hard things we’ve already overcome. We forget to believe in ourselves.
So with this in mind, we want to introduce you to our powerful confidence building tip number 1:
Celebrate Your Success!
This is a self-reflective exercise to start acknowledging and celebrating yourself for everything you’ve already accomplished. It includes reminding yourself of the skills and experience you’ve gained, as well as your unique strengths you’ve been able to use and cultivate.
This is a simple yet effective exercise which is evidence-backed as leading behavioural scientist, B.J. Fogg, explains, “celebrating small wins stimulates dopamine release in the brain, a feel-good chemical” that is critical in building confidence.
Now you can do this in different ways. It may be you’re a more visual person and love mindmaps or graphics. Or you may prefer writing and love a list. Get as creative as you like!
Step 1. Write down your wins, small and big.
Everything you’re proud of. All of your achievements and hard things you’ve overcome. Positive feedback you’ve received at work or from family and friends.
Step 2. Reflect on this list, on your journey and how much you have already accomplished. Notice how it FEELS when you focus on these wins.
Step 3. Keep celebrating yourself and adding to this list.
You can call it your Brag Sheet, Yay folder, Win List - whatever resonates with you most. The most important thing is to keep celebrating the wins (no matter how small) on a daily / weekly basis as you move forward.
Summary
There we have it, part 1 of our series on how to boost your confidence to enhance your performance, help you achieve your goals, and empower you in all areas of your life.
Ultimately, the power to build your confidence lies within you - how empowering is that? No longer do you need to rely on external feedback and praise from others in order to feel good.
Because frankly, we don't always get that and if we rely on that in order to feel good about ourselves, guess what? It means we often feel shit and there's nothing we can do about it!
Instead, decide to take the reins and take back control over how you feel. We guarantee you, you will not regret it.
Want to go deeper on this work?
Get in touch to find out more about our 1:1 coaching services that can help you build confidence and thrive in your career and/or business.
