Although it may seem that some people are just naturally confident, the truth is that confidence is something that can be developed. If you are notoriously shy or have butterflies in your stomach during social interactions, rest assured there are ways to get around it.
By now, you probably already know just how important confidence is in the workplace. It is often what separates the wallflowers from the people who are noticed by hiring managers and employment agencies. It even helps us become more decisive in the actions we make on any given day.
Below are 7 daily habits to help you grow your confidence at work.
Have Ambition and Goals
Confidence often comes from having a drive, which in turn stems from wanting to reach some kind of goal. It sounds like a platitude, but if you keep your eye on the prize, it should be easier for you to shake off problems with self-esteem and self-image.
Give Yourself a Pat on the Back
There is nothing wrong with letting people know of your good work — just don’t gloat about it. The best way to make your contributions known among your co-workers is to simply point them out in a matter-of-fact way. Context is also important — you don’t want to say you were the top contributor for Q4 sales out of the blue.
Work on Your Skills
It’s much easier to be confident if you’re actually good at something at work. If you don’t have any particular set of standout skills, then work on creating new ones. Whether it’s by taking up an online programming course or by learning a new language, having some kind of valuable skill make it easier to be confident in your abilities.
Hold Yourself Accountable
Holding yourself accountable is another way of setting goals. By making your intentions known to others, you hold yourself accountable to your promise, which helps you gain confidence in yourself by virtue of establishing credibility. Of course, what matters most is being able to live up to the expectations you’ve set for yourself.
Don’t Blend In
Don’t let others dictate how you live your life. Gaining confidence will be a constant uphill battle if you’re obsessed with seeking the approval of others. If you recognize yourself as someone with unique strengths and skills that are valuable to the company, self-confidence should follow.
Speak Out
Oftentimes, all it takes is just one instance of speaking your mind to be able to express yourself more freely at work. Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t filter yourself at meetings and office interactions. However, if you push aside your fear of speaking up and sharing your opinions, you can build your confidence slowly but surely.
Surround Yourself with Positive People
If you’re constantly with negative people who never see anything good about work and life in general, you can bet your ability to be confident will take a hit as well. The best way to gain confidence is to be with people who actually encourage you to build yourself.
For more insights on how to develop your skills and confidence in the office, talk to the staffing experts of Top Notch Personnel. Find out how we can be of service by contacting us today.
