10 Tips on Boosting Your Confidence at Work

Poor self-esteem. It’s a common affliction for many people in the virtual assistance industry. From rookie virtual assistants to experienced VAs, it’s easy to find people who don’t have enough confidence in themselves and in their work. It’s even more difficult for ambitious VAs. For overachievers, the more they want to accomplish something, the more they doubt that they can actually do it.

Have you been suffering from low self-esteem lately? Here are some tips on how to finally start believing in yourself and achieving your goals.

 

• Know and acknowledge your strengths.

It’s one thing to know your strengths, it’s another to acknowledge them in front of other people. Many people think it’s considered boastful if they admit that they’re skilled at something or that they’re proficient at a particular task, but that’s not the case. Acknowledging your strengths means being self-aware; it’s all about knowing what you’re good at and knowing what areas you still need to improve.

 

• Don’t let your failures get you down permanently.

It’s okay to be disappointed about your failures, but don’t wallow in them. Take a day off to recenter yourself then dust it all off and start again.

 

• Commit to a task or deadline.

When you commit to doing something, you’re more encouraged to follow through. When you achieve it, you’ll be more confident in your abilities.

 

• Volunteer to do something.

Next time a task is up for grabs and you know that you can do it, volunteer yourself for the job. Waiting around for assignments all the time won’t allow you to utilize your full potential.

 

• Speak up during meetings.

Get your voice heard during meetings. Meetings tend to be awkward because people are so afraid of speaking up. But there’s nothing wrong with sharing your thoughts. As long as they’re relevant to the agenda, don’t be afraid to speak up.

 

• Stop trash-talking yourself.

For many people lacking confidence, you are your own worst critic. It’s time to put a stop to all the trash talking you do to yourself. It’s fine to acknowledge your faults, but be objective while doing so. There’s no point getting yourself down even further.

 

• Treat challenging tasks as ways to prove yourself.

Yes, facing the unfamiliar is scary, but the feeling you get when you overcome it with flying colors makes it all worth it. Instead of fearing a challenge, think of it as a way to make yourself a better VA.

 

• Boost your knowledge.

There’s nothing like knowledge to boost your confidence. When you know a lot about something, you’re more inclined to take on the challenge.

 

• Find supportive peers.

Everyone needs a cheerleader every now and then. Surround yourself with supportive people who love to boost your ego especially when you need it.

 

• Fake it ‘til you make it.

Confidence is not something you get overnight, so fake it ‘til you make it! A smile and a firm “yes, I can do it.” is often enough to show people that you’re confident about taking on a task.

Becoming a confident VA who knows when and how to be assertive will help you steer your career towards your life goals. Follow the tips above to get there faster.