Imagine being more confident. How would it feel to walk into a job interview, pitch your ideas, or tackle a challenging project with unwavering belief in your ability? Confidence can transform not just your career but your entire approach to life. Building self-confidence is a crucial step in your personal and professional development.
Confidence is one of those qualities we all strive for, but it’s quite often misunderstood. Too many people think that confidence is something you either have or don’t, that it’s an inborn trait that can’t be cultivated. The reality is that confidence is a skill—one you can learn and develop over time. By understanding what confidence is (and what it isn’t), you can unlock more of it in every area of your life and career.
Too many people think that confidence is something you either have or don’t, that it’s an inborn trait that can’t be cultivated.
Understanding Confidence for Career Success
So, what exactly is confidence? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it’s "the mental attitude of trusting in or relying on a person or thing, firm trust, reliance, faith." In simpler terms, confidence is your belief in your ability to handle what comes your way. Confidence is the bridge to your desired future, and it begins with self-awareness. Confidence is not just a snapshot of where you are right now; it’s an ongoing process, a journey that evolves over time. The good news? You can learn and develop confidence, rather than believing you are born with it or not. Recognising that confidence is a skill rather than a fixed trait opens the door to unlocking more of it in your career and beyond.
The Confidence Matrix*
A useful way to understand confidence is through the concept of the Confidence Matrix. Think of it as a framework that helps you see where your current beliefs and expectations are impacting your confidence levels.
Can Do: The belief that you can achieve something.
Can Happen: The belief that if you take certain actions, success will follow.
This creates four potential mindsets:
Can't Do / Can't Happen: Feel Stuck: You don’t believe you can do something, and you’re unsure if it’s even possible.
Can't Do / Can Happen: Self-Doubt: You believe that while success is possible, you’re not confident in your ability to achieve it.
Can Do / Can't Happen: Pessimistic: You may believe you can do something, but you’re doubtful it will lead to success.
Can Do / Can Happen: An Expectation of Success: You’re confident both in your ability and the likelihood that your actions will lead to positive results.
Understanding where you fall on this matrix is crucial for breaking down the barriers to building more confidence. Once you realise your current mindset, you can start shifting it to a more empowered, success-oriented way of thinking.
*'Source: Robertson, I. (2021) How Confidence Works: The new science of self-belief, why some people learn it and others don't. London: Penguin.
Building Confidence for Career Success
You can build confidence for career success through consistent effort and intentional action. Here are a few key insights to keep in mind:
Career Confidence is:
Taking Action: Confidence is like a muscle that’s strengthened through intentional use, effort, and small successes. Every step you take, no matter how small, adds to your confidence.
Mastery: You don’t become confident overnight. The more you practice, the better you get. This is often referred to as the "10,000 hours theory," where repetition leads to competence, which in turn builds confidence.
Resilience: Don’t give up just because you didn’t get it right the first time. Confidence grows through the process of trial and error. Mistakes are part of the journey, not the end.
Confidence is not:
A Fixed State: You don’t need to be born confident. Confidence is built through habits, behaviours, and a mindset that encourages growth.
The Absence of Challenge: Confidence doesn’t mean avoiding fear or uncertainty. It means facing those challenges head-on, knowing you can handle them.
A Guarantee of Success: Confidence doesn’t mean that outcomes are always assured. It simply means you have the self-belief to take action, even when the outcome is uncertain.
Confidence in Action
Think of confidence as a thermostat, not a light switch. It’s dynamic, meaning it fluctuates with your actions, habits, and mindset. It requires constant tuning and small adjustments to grow and maintain it. Importantly, it’s not something that is out of your control. You have the power to adjust it to align with your goals and aspirations.
3 Simple Steps to Strengthen Your Confidence
Building lasting confidence doesn’t happen overnight, but by taking small steps, you can steadily build and reinforce it.
Reframe Your Thinking: Start seeing confidence as a skill that can be developed. Recognising that it’s something you can work on shifts your mindset from "I’m not confident" to "I can become more confident."
Take Intentional Action: Grow your confidence through small, manageable steps. Each success—no matter how small—reinforces your belief in yourself and builds momentum for bigger challenges.
Celebrate Your Progress: Acknowledge your growth at every stage. Confidence isn’t just about the big wins. It’s about appreciating the effort and growth along the way, which keeps you motivated to keep going.
Unlock Your Full Confidence
If you’re ready to unlock your full potential, I can help you take the steps you need to further nurture and build your confidence.
A personalised approach to developing confidence is key—and that’s exactly what I do as a career coach. Whether it’s refining your CV, boosting your interview skills, or helping you develop a growth mindset, I can help you take the next step toward greater self-confidence.
Confidence is a journey, and with the right strategies, mindset, and action, you can build a more confident you.
Ready to build your confidence? Let's talk. Book a free 30 minute discovery call to explore how I can help you.
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