“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” -William Jennings Bryan
It’s an assumption that business owners are filled to the brim with confidence. The truth is that business owners, just like everyone else, have periods of extreme self-doubt. In fact, it may be true that business owners, because they take risks, suffer periods of low self-confidence more often than the average person.
However, the more confidence you have, in business and in life, the more action you’ll take and action is what produces results. If you’re struggling with your confidence, these tips may help you get over that hump.
#1 Get Dressed
Sounds simple, but it works. And we’re not talking about changing out of your pajamas and into sweats. Sure, you work at home and you can run around naked if you like. But if you want to boost your confidence, dress like you mean business.
#2 Do Something You Know You’re Good At
As a business owner you wear many hats. You’re the content creator, CEO, sales manager, and so on. Spend a bit of time at the beginning of every day focusing on your strengths. Do what you’re good at. You’ll start the day with more confidence.
#3 Offer Value
When you’re focused on offering value and benefit to others it takes the focus off of you. Instead of wondering what people will think about you or if you’ll succeed, you’re focused on making sure you’re helping others. Business is about providing value and benefit, so this mental shift should be a natural one and easy to adapt to.
#4 What’s the Worst That Could Happen?
Sometimes the easiest way to find more confidence is to look at the worst-case scenario. We often imagine much more dire consequences than reality. For example, if you’re giving a speech then you may feel terrified to the point where you just cannot do it. However, the consequences of giving a bad speech are really quite small. When you realize the risk is lower than perceived, it’s easier to move forward.
#5 Take Small Steps or Quantum Leaps
If you’re feeling particularly tentative then take small steps to test the waters. These small steps can help boost your confidence as you go. For example, if you’re an introvert and you need to network you might start by attending a small meeting or seeing one person at a time.
The other option is to dive right in. Skip the baby steps and go big. It’s the difference between slowly wading into a cold pool and allowing your body to get used to it, or diving right in. Sometimes it makes more sense to just jump and see what happens. When you succeed your confidence will undoubtedly soar.
