Most of us would love to feel more confident in all areas of our lives. Many of my clients have expressed a desire to look, feel and act with more confidence than they currently do.

This is especially true of women.

A study by Hewlett Packard reported, “Men are confident about their ability at 60%, but women don’t feel confident until they’ve checked off each item on the list.”

What are we afraid of? Why do we let fear hold us back?

Yes, I said fear. We’re lacking in confidence because we’re paying too much attention to our fears. In general, men are willing to step up to 60% ability. They have the courage to take a risk. Women, on the other hand, are usually hesitant to step up because they don’t want to make a mistake. We beat ourselves up before giving anyone else the chance to do it.

You can’t build your confidence without courage. Let me share with you my four favourite tips for building your courage for confidence.

Building your courage for confidence.

Take small steps.

It’s fear that’s holding you in place and shattering any confidence you might have had. The only way to escape from fear is to do something – make a move. Take a risk. Push yourself outside your comfort zone. You don’t have to do anything enormous. A series of small steps will have a big impact on your level of confidence, and the more steps you take, the more courageous you become.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” 

What one step can you take today to get you closer to your dreams?

Prepare for the reactions of others.

Whether you’re facing mansplainers, the old boys club or just someone with a challenging attitude, you can hold your ground if you are prepared to deal with them.

In another article, I’ve shared some tips on how to respond to those interruptions and comments so you can maintain your composure.

Maintain your integrity.

If there’s one thing that inspires courage, it’s the belief that you’re doing the right thing and acting according to your values. When you make choices from a place of integrity, there’s very little downside. You know that even if you’re not successful, you’ve been true to yourself. That matters. Not just to you, but to the people around you. It’s a win even if you’ve lost, if you know what I mean.

Know yourself.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to be self-aware and understand your motivations, beliefs, triggers, strengths, and weaknesses. When you know why you feel what you do and understand how you might react, you have power over yourself and your actions. Investing in your self-development is vital because it allows you to stand on your own two feet even in the absence of supporters or your network. This is the foundation of both courage and self-confidence.

Executive Coaching will help you become a more courageous leader or individual, helping you move through your day with certainty and confidence. If you’re looking for a confidence-building process that works, contact me to learn more about the coaching program.

What is something you’ve been afraid to do but done anyway? How did it affect your self-confidence?