Self-confidence Supports Greater Business Success
Three practices that can boost your self-confidence and help you achieve further business success
By David Cox | May 14, 2019
Self-confidence is an essential factor in business success
There is an inevitable connection between self-confidence and business success. Those who struggle with inadequacies, whether real or imagined, often find it difficult to succeed. In contrast, confident individuals stand tall and proud as they manage stressful situations.
Likewise, when they speak, others listen because a confident person inspires others around them. It should come as no surprise that confident people are often more successful in business than those who are not.
How can you build greater self-confidence?
If you need to develop your self-confidence, here are three practices that could yield significant results.
Set goals for further progress
Setting and achieving goals is an excellent way to build your self-confidence. Set realistic, achievable goals that will further the growth of your business. Your goals should be specific and measurable with a target date for achievement. If not, they’ll be little more than good intentions, which are unlikely to accomplish anything.
It may sound simplistic, but you should strive to frame your goals positively. If you do so, focusing on what you can do rather than on what you can’t, you’ll find your goals more strongly reinforced in your mind.
Keep track of your achievements
Start a notebook and write down each achievement along with the reason you feel it’s significant. You may have closed a massive sale, opened a new account, successfully negotiated a finance agreement, overcome a setback, or resolved a problem with a customer or client. These achievements, along with any words of praise and encouragement you received from your clients or superiors – write them down in your notebook.
On days when you feel down – and those days will come – flip through your notebook and re-read some of your achievements. They will serve as a constant reminder that you are capable and successful. You can learn to accomplish anything. Moreover, you’ve already proven your ability to succeed.
Practice positive self-talk to encourage your progress
If you want to build your self-confidence, you need to start managing the “self-talk” that goes on in your mind. Specifically, you need to eliminate your negative self-talk.
Positive self-talk is practical and constructive. For instance, if you have regrets about your past, consider the following. “My past is my history. Obviously, there’s absolutely nothing I can ever do to change it. Likewise, I can’t do anything about my mistakes or failures of the past. However, my past is not my destiny. I can learn from those mistakes, determine not to repeat them, work to do a better job, and build my credibility.”
You may feel your life, and business experiences didn’t turn out the way you envisioned. Regardless, it’s time to forgive anyone you’ve blamed (including yourself), let go of the past, and move on. If you insist on being stuck in the past, that’s your choice, but you’re only hurting yourself.
Building your self-confidence: An investment in personal and business success
You need self-confidence to face the challenges and uncertainties of a competitive business environment. If you feel you lack confidence, maybe it’s time to act. Set higher goals, track your achievements, and practice positive self-talk for a better and brighter future. As you do, your self-confidence will grow along with your business.
How long does it take to build your self-confidence? Some people need only 2-3 months while others may take six months or more. You’ll notice a difference in yourself within a matter of weeks. I guarantee you’ll be proud of what you achieve in business and the more self-confident person you’ve become.
