01 Jan 2023
When we have confidence in life we feel invincible. It is as if nothing is too much effort or trouble. We feel ‘in flow’. Most of us have felt this in at least one area of our lives at some point. Knowing how to develop our confidence will help us play to our strengths. And the start of the new year is a particularly good time to start building up our sense of personal worth and value.
It is natural to feel confident in things we feel good at. Time, experience and interest may have helped us excel in a particular topic.
But perhaps you want to develop confidence in something you feel less strong in.
Maybe you (or someone else) has identified a project they want you to work on, and you feel you’ll need to get ‘stronger’ at certain elements.
The new year may be bringing new opportunities that you’re not sure of stepping into as it may have a string of other skills you know you’ll need to develop.
First off, identify the skillset you want to grow and try and get specific on those skills or characteristics you want to work on.
- Is it a new skill you need to work on, or a personal characteristic you would like to develop?
- Is it work related or personal?
- What are the ‘parts’ or areas you would like to develop?
Step 1 Your first step is to decide “what do I want to build confidence in?”
Step 2 How will you go about it?
This step will throw up lots of questions. You’ll need to look at:
- What will it take?
- What are the separate stages of developing my skills and confidence?
- What will I need to do?
- Who can help me work on my plan?
- How will I know when I have ‘got there’?
We naturally have confidence in things we competent in (think of the many things you do effortlessly now, in your role as an Exam Officer). Once we reach a certain level of competence it is inevitable that our confidence grows.
But the process of confidence building may take you out of your comfort zone. How will you manage any reticence in stepping out of “what you know?”
Those around you may feel threated by your growing self-worth. Your commitment and confidence may pose a threat to others, and that may be enough to throw you off track.
Lack of confidence may come from a general lack of self-worth, rather than a gap in skills.
Take a moment to re-affirm your self-worth and remind yourself what things you are strong on. It may help you re-define where you need to put your attention.
Below you’ll find 2 simple ways to boost your current level of self worth.
Scenario 1
A while ago I asked some supportive colleagues what they thought of me! I was specific in what I asked them. These were people who had known me some time, and who I know I worked well with. I wanted them to be honest but focus on my positive contribution to their lives.
Are you brave enough to ask this of others?
Scenario 2
One lunchtime, after a particularly stressful morning at HMP, a teacher I work with asked my colleagues to write a few words of appreciation about me. Their responses were waiting on my desk after lunch as I geared up for more exams!
It was a lovely affirmation for me, and the positive energy I received has carried me through many a day.
- Do you just need to remind yourself how well others think of you?
- Could you ask for positive feedback from friends, family and colleagues?
- Would confirmation of your value to others raise your self-worth enough to impact on your current general level of confidence?
- How could you adapt these ideas for personal change and personal growth?
It can take some courage to ask others to tell us their opinion, so choose only those you know will give you an honest appraisal of your contribution to their life! This could be a friend or a colleague.
Take a deep dive into what you bring. I’m about to have my annual appraisal at work. I look on it as a chance to say what I feel I bring to the table, and to ask what I could expect back in return. Appraisals should cover CPD opportunities.
When we know our worth, we have a strong base to barter from.
All employers know that supporting staff in their personal growth helps them give more to the workplace. Use these opportunities as a chance to ask for support, training and skills in areas you might identify.
Stay strong as you put all your new year plans into place, and remember how important YOU to those around you..
Love and light,
Geraldine
You may like to start 2023 with CPD training. You’ll find details at https://www.geraldinejozefiak.com/CPDtraining. If you’re planning a Group Training day get some ideas for your workshops and presentations at https://www.geraldinejozefiak.com/speaking