Rebuild your career confidence

.Lately, I have had a number of wonderful conversations about careers and the effect the pandemic has had on people's thinking. So today I thought I would share a brief thought and leave you with an exercise to rebuild your confidence in your career, if you or someone you know, may need it.  I am fully aware that you are most likely happy in your current position, but I am also of the opinion that you may know someone who may need a little support.

My quote for this week comes from Oprah Winfrey and it is so true.
"create the highest, grandest vision for your life, because you become what you believe"

So here goes.

It is true that most people are happy at work they have a good grasp of the path they are takings and how to get there. They feel great about their contribution and jump out of bed on a Monday Morning rearing to go. I know this as this was me as a teacher before making the difficult decision to give it up and focus my attention on coaching people instead.

However, it would be irresponsible to believe everyone is of the same mind.  Some are so unhappy at work that they dread Monday mornings, Even after the restful weekend they feel burnt out, anxious, or even a little depressed because of their job or job prospects?  

Not wanting to focus too much on the negatives, there is also a group of people who are both happy and unhappy, If this is you, perhaps you feel you’re in a position to step up to the next level but are being held back by something or someone (maybe even yourself). Then even though you love your job, because of the pandemic, your confidence in yourself and in your professional skills might have suffered. 

Many people experience these situations at some point in their careers, but not everyone experiences low career confidence. Over time, having work-related low confidence and self-esteem can lead to a variety of physical and mental health issues. You might doubt yourself and over-analyze your decisions – not just work-related ones. This lack of confidence can also slow your career progression and affect your financial stability.

There are a number of things that may create low career confidence? Here are a few that may resonate with you:

• feeling inadequate or like a “fraud”
• comparing yourself to others
• being under-skilled for the role
• focusing on mistakes over successes
• experiencing work-related stress caused by a micromanaging boss, uncooperative co-workers, organizational changes, or new responsibilities
• having a fear of failure 

Regardless of the reasons, low career confidence can be effectively addressed. Here are six suggestions to begin re-building your career confidence.

1. Realize there is no such thing as perfect. Aiming for perfection will always lead to disappointment because it’s unobtainable – and you fail to acknowledge your achievements. Give yourself a break when you fail, make a mistake, or miss the mark. Failure is a valuable part of life because it offers you the opportunity to reflect on all the lessons you learned from your mistakes.
2. Identify your feelings. Think about when your low confidence started. Was it after an event, such as a lay-off? Do you struggle in certain situations? For example, if you’re burnt out and work in a highly stressful environment, it might be time for you to find another career – one where you are engaged, passionate, and confident.
3. Write down your career achievements. Research indicates that writing down accomplishments releases feel-good chemicals in the brain, increasing feelings of pride and motivation. Start by writing a list of your past career achievements – big or small. Use a journal or notebook and begin a daily practice of recording your work-related achievements.
4. Identify your strengths, skills, and talents – and capitalize on them. One of the best ways to increase your confidence is to get clear on your strengths and find ways to integrate them into what you do each day. You’ll be more engaged, energized, and self-assured. Write down the things you do well and reflect on how you can use your strengths to do your job.
5. Reach out. Connect with personal and professional networks for help and support. Get feedback from colleagues. Seek advice or secure a mentor or coach to help you work through your feelings and create a plan.
6. Identify weaknesses, and work on them. If you have weaknesses that are affecting your confidence, work to reduce or eliminate them.

This exercise will help you fill the gap between where you are now, and where you want to be. Be honest be confident and be proud, and remember
 "Self-confidence is a super power, once you start to believe in yourself, the magic starts happening"

As a coach, I am here to champion you. I see you as naturally creative, resourceful, and whole, so this week's "Tip of the week" is 

"Rebuild your career confidence"  

This week, be aware of what you bring and make notes of what you have achieved, and the skills, strengths, and talents you bring to the role. Just two things each day will show you your importance to the business. Drag out your resume and start to add new insights. Always be ready, just in case an opportunity does present itself.
At the end of this week you, or if you have shared with someone you know, will be more confident in your (their) self-worth.
If you would like more support in this area, reach out, or use the diary link below. As always I am here if you wish to invest in yourself.
​For more support use this exercise to highlight your challenges career_coaching.pdf
Have a wonderful week