By Justine Clay
“Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four Cs. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.”
― Walt Disney Company
Confidence is such an amazing thing isn’t it? When you have it, there’s nothing you can’t do. And when you don’t, it seems like there’s nothing you can do. Confidence means different things to different people, but for me it’s about self-assurance, knowledge, understanding and expertise. It’s the reason that people just feel better when you’re around.
But as we all know, confidence can be a fickle friend. When everything’s going well, it’s (relatively) easy to have and maintain. But during times of transition, set back or crisis (basically, when we need it most), it can desert us, leaving us feeling diminished, uncertain, fearful and unfocused.
If you’re feeling that your lack of confidence is holding you back, take heart, it happens to us all at some point. That said, the difference between highly successful people and those who never quite seem able to get ahead, is the ability to acknowledge the feeling, deal with it and move on.
If you need to get your mojo back, the following tips will help free you up so you can focus on being the dynamo you’re destined to be:
1) Recognize what makes you special
We’re all uniquely talented, but so often we think that because something comes so easily to us, it must be easy for everyone. Not so! You have a talent or service that is special and exactly what your ideal client needs. Knowing yourself and acknowledging that you provide an important service to others is a great confidence booster. Not sure what makes you special? A good start is asking yourself the following questions:
- Of all the people in my field, what do I do that others do not?
- What features of my practice set me apart from others?
- What benefits can I promise that others do not?
- Why should a prospective client work with me as opposed to someone else?
2) Make a stand for what you believe in
“ I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody” Bill Cosby
Once you’ve defined what your unique skill or service is, commit to doing it well. Communicate your specialty clearly, and consistently to clients who have a genuine need for your services and you’ll be on your way to have a thriving business working on projects you love.
3) Continue to grow
Make a commitment to continue to grow, both professionally and personally and your confidence level will respond in kind. Learn a new skill, look for inspiration everywhere, and push your boundaries. It doesn’t even have to be related to your business, just being open to new experiences is enough.
There’s nothing more compelling than someone who is curious, engaged and enthusiastic. It also feels great! Be kind to yourself, work on it and before you know it, you’re mojo will be back!
