| I consider myself lucky - I am surrounded by amazing | | | | 1. Stop the self-sabotaging behaviors. Every time that |
| people. They can be described as smart, successful, | | | | you start to put yourself down, either in |
| witty, passionate, and more. So, I'm shocked when I | | | | conversation or in your own head, stop. Replace that |
| listen to these very people put themselves down. | | | | thought with a positive one. When someone |
| How it is that someone who is so great can have | | | | compliments you, simply say "thank you." Instead of |
| doubts about their value? I (and most others) see | | | | asking "why me" ask "why not me?" |
| their accomplishments and their potential while they | | | | 2. Don't expect perfection from yourself. It's great to |
| worry about their perceived failures and | | | | have high expectations, but remember that you can't |
| shortcomings. | | | | be good at everything. Accept the fact that you |
| A lack of self-confidence is dangerous to your career. | | | | have weaknesses - you are human. Put yourself in a |
| It can manifest itself with arrogant or | | | | position where you are building on your strengths and |
| self-deprecating behavior. Our fears and insecurities | | | | not overcoming your weaknesses. The more |
| are directly linked to our level of confidence. If you | | | | successes you experience, the more your confidence |
| aren't confident in your abilities and the value you | | | | will rise. |
| offer, how can you expect someone else to be? In | | | | 3. Surround yourself with friends and colleagues who |
| the end, you could very well be passed up for the | | | | are supportive. Let go of relationships with people |
| promotion you want. | | | | who feel compelled to point out all of your |
| What happens to people who are unsure of their | | | | weaknesses. If you can't separate yourself from |
| value? At the extreme, they don't take risks and | | | | them, put it in perspective and limit your interaction |
| they set goals that are too low for fear of failure. | | | | with them. People like this typically make themselves |
| Often, they don't feel that they deserve success, | | | | feel better by putting down those they find |
| money, promotions, etc. and may settle for less than | | | | intimidating. |
| what is easily attainable. For people who suffer from | | | | 4. Don't compare yourself to others. Define success |
| occasional declines in their confidence level, they can | | | | for yourself and create a plan to reach your goals. |
| be afraid to voice their opinions; focus on the | | | | Take stock of your achievements by focusing on |
| disadvantages of new opportunities; and have a | | | | what have you accomplished in your personal or |
| harder time reaching their goals. | | | | professional life. Remind yourself of this from time to |
| On the other hand, successful professionals are | | | | time and be proud. |
| dynamic, decisive, and courageous. How can you | | | | 5. Invest in yourself. If you don't take care of |
| possess these traits without being confident? | | | | yourself, who is going to do it for you? It's amazing |
| What most people don't realize is that our actions are | | | | how much a new haircut or a new suit can affect |
| perpetuating the problem, not improving it. So how | | | | your self-esteem. It's not frivolous to take time out |
| do you improve your confidence (if you suffer from | | | | of your schedule to take care of yourself, especially |
| severe self-esteem issues, I recommend seeing a | | | | if doing so makes you feel better. Don't stop there. |
| mental health professional)? Check out these five | | | | Continue to expand your knowledge and skills on |
| tips: | | | | whatever is important to you. |