Confidence is the foundation for success in any business. When I first started speaking in public, I was terrified. My hands would shake, my voice would quiver, and I felt like everyone could see right through my facade. Imposter syndrome made me question the value of my insights and doubt whether I was the right person to move forward with a customer. However, I knew that my mission and my business required getting in front of my audience and delivering an impactful message.
Does promoting yourself make you nervous? Are you worried about what others think? Identifying your specific hang-up is the first step to overcoming it. Next, remind yourself that you are doing this for your business. As the leader, it’s your responsibility to put yourself out there and get known. It won’t be easy at first, but if you truly believe in your brand, lean on that to push through the initial discomfort. For me, the most powerful yet simple step was hitting the record button and doing it scared.
Embrace Your Imperfections
My story isn’t one of overnight success. It’s filled with challenges, mistakes, and moments of self-doubt. I didn’t shy away from my imperfections; instead, I embraced them. True confidence comes from acknowledging your flaws and learning from them, not hiding them. Perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is. Each mistake is a stepping stone towards becoming the best version of yourself.
When I first started my career, I felt the pressure to appear perfect. But perfection is an illusion. Confidence grows when we give ourselves permission to be imperfect and to learn and grow from every experience.
Just like with my fear of public speaking. If I would have waited for perfection, I never would have allowed myself to be in the situations that actually formed my growth. Moving through the fear and with my imperfections showed me that I had to realign with my values. In the end, it’s not about ME. I and my business are here to serve my clients – and with that vision clear in my mind, the idea of always looking and sounding “perfect” gave way to something much more profound.
Surround Yourself with Positivity
Confidence is contagious. When you’re surrounded by positive, supportive people, their confidence in you can help bolster your own. I’ve relied on the support of mentors and peers who believe in my potential. Of course, my main source of encouragement and support is my husband Brandon.
In turn, I find myself wanting to be a source of inspiration for them as well. I’ve discovered that building my self-esteem is one of the best ways to give back to those who are around me. With this perspective, the idea of confidence as a self-serving “ego trip” transforms into a gift you exchange with those you value and love most.
Be Consistent
Bravado alone will get you nowhere. And it’s certainly not enough to just read motivational quotes and repeat mantras. You have to stay committed to your goals and take action every day.
This commitment to yourself translates directly into how you run your business. Your employees and your clients will alway be more motivated by how you show up than by anything you say. Consistency fosters a culture of excellence and reliability, which is essential for trust and growth both personally and professionally.
Few things will bolster your self-esteem more than the muscle required to face each day willing to be present, absorb feedback and integrate what you’ve learned. Then something interesting starts to happen – confidence starts to look a lot like humility.
It’s a Journey
Confidence is not a destination. It’s built through a series of small, consistent actions and a mindset that embraces imperfection and growth.
Embrace your imperfections, set clear goals, surround yourself with positivity, and practice self-compassion. My book Start the Work is a game-changer for anyone ready to embark on their journey toward greater confidence.
Ready to build your confidence and grow your business? Click here to order my new book Start the Work and see why “if your business isn’t growing, you’re not spending your time on the right things.”