No one is hundred percent confident they’re making the right decisions all the time, let’s get that straight. But questioning your actions is one thing, subconsciously self-sabotaging your success is a whole different problem. If you’ve ever noticed yourself doing one of these three things at work then it’s a dead giveaway you’re killing your self-confidence and preventing yourself from truly showing your worth.
Waiting for the perfect opportunity to present itself
Ever waited for the ‘right moment’ to share your idea with the boss? Postponed asking a colleague for help or advice till it’s the ‘best time’ to address them? Taking a leap is always scary, we get it. But confident people don’t wait for the perfect opportunity, they embrace discomfort right here and right now, they push their boundaries and succeed.
The longer you wait, the more nervous and unsure you become. The more nervous you are – the lesser the chances you’ll even do what you need to at all. Have you ever heard of the saying ‘better late than never’? Well, in the case of your career, sometimes ‘late’ equals ‘never’. So, don’t wait. After all, all our emotions are only temporary and it’s better to go through a little discomfort and panic straight away than bask in it for days, waiting for a who knows what signal for the ‘right time’.
Letting your doubts affect your language
‘I think, we need to increase our marketing budget.’
‘We need to increase our marketing budget, don’t you agree?’
‘We need to increase our marketing budget.’
Which one of these phrases belongs to the confident, successful professional? Of course, the third one. Opening softeners and tag questions show that though you might think something is a great idea, you still need the reassurance of your colleagues and are not prepared to make important decisions on your own. Definitely not the image of yourself that you would prefer to radiate, wouldn’t you agree?
Read more about business language tips in earlier our articles:
The four-letter word we need to stop saying and Three habits you should avoid in the workplace.
Giving in to your introverted nature
Networking and communication are key to a successful career. You might find it more comforting and less stressful to remain in the background at corporate events and keep your mouth shut at weekly meetings but let’s be honest here, it won’t get you anywhere. How will the people you work with know about all the brilliant ideas cooking in that head of yours if you never share themt?
Sometimes giving yourself a little push to become more visible is all it takes. Take initiative and make a call, introduce yourself or raise your hand when you have something to say. Make the effort and enjoy the results.