The work place is changing at an unbelievable pace, and with that comes uncertainty and the need to adapt to new expectations. But that can be a real challenge sometimes.
Hi and welcome back to Barrworld.com were we focus on your goals and the challenges you can have achieving them. Today we are talking about confidence in your ever changing workplace.
As the work changes and the expectations of your employers grow, it’s easy to lose some of your confidence and start feeling unsure of yourself. You may sit and wonder if you have what it takes to keep up the pace let alone excel in your career. If you don’t snap out of this type of thinking, you might actually convince yourself you’re less than worthy of the position you hold.
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” – Henry Ford
While the comfort you felt from routines of the past may now be gone, you can still make an impression. This is the time to learn techniques to boost your confidence at work. Becoming a lifelong learner is the only way to stay current besides everybody else believes that you have what it takes. Now you just need to convince yourself that you do and not give a reason for others to question your skills!
Try these strategies to boost your confidence on the job:
1. Do research to keep updated. As expectations change, it may mean continually adapting to fill new roles at work. Take new tasks on with gusto, try to learn as much as you can as fast as you can. In some cases, that could mean learning a completely new job from scratch. You can help yourself through that.
- If there’s an outgoing employee, or someone else who has had that role, spend some time getting feedback from them. Find out the intricacies of the job and anything else that may help you along the way. Ask questions about how it is done and what the end result looks like.
- Spend some time browsing the internet for ideas, doing some research. Look for ways to be effective at whatever task you’ve been given.
- It may be necessary to sit down with your employer to find out more about your new role and how it ties into the company’s vision.
- Does your boss have a template of the outcome or an expectation.
“Those people who develop the ability to continuously acquire new and better forms of knowledge that they can apply to their work and to their lives will be the movers and shakers in our society for the indefinite future.” — Stephen Covey
2. Schedule your tasks. Sometimes when things seem overwhelming, you may start to doubt yourself and fall back to things you know. Ignoring the new task will not make it go away. When you’re faced with a new task, it helps to schedule time for it.
- Put a new task on your schedule gives it a level of importance and focus so you can focus on it accordingly. You’ll find that the weight on your shoulders starts to ease up.
- Scheduling allows you to showcase your work habits. It will give the perception that you’re a focused and organized employee who works well under pressure.
- By giving yourself enough time to concentrate on each task, you’ll be more likely to master them.
- Be sure to understand when the task is expected to be completed.
The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. –Stephen Covey
3. Develop a strong support team. This has always been important for goal oriented people but in today’s environment it is imperative. As you transition into new roles or expectations, a strong support team is crucial. Dig this well before you need it. Build relationships with other staff members that are in different roles and have different responsibilities. It’s also a good idea for your support team to consist of both internal and external resources. Each of us should be on the lookout for mentors and coaches to help us, advice you and give you HONEST feedback on what you are doing.
- If there is a particular task that’s challenging you, liaise with someone at work who can help you master it. This approach buys you some time to sharpen those skills.
- Find some short courses in your area that can assist you in becoming more proficient.
- When you’re able to get the guidance you need, you’ll start to feel more confident. That confidence ultimately shows itself in how you approach future tasks.
“None of us is as smart as all of us.” –Ken Blanchard
4. Be honest with yourself. Expressing your doubt with taking on new roles can actually have some merit. However, the way in which you express it can make all the difference.
- Express gratitude and appreciation for being selected.
- Highlight current skills that make you an ideal candidate.
- Outline your plans to develop other skills needed to do well.
- Your employer will gain confidence in you and then your self-confidence will soar.
“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” — Thomas Jefferson
5. Pay it forward. Expect that others will come to you to ask you how to do a task or role. Remember to treat them in the same way you would like to be treated.
- Give of your time to help others without looking for a payback.
- If they come back again for the same issue, remind them that you are busy to and you’ll help them this one last time.
- Remember your their to TRAIN them not do the task for them.
“You don’t build a business –you build people– and then people build the business.” – Zig Ziglar
Remember that you’re as capable as the amount of faith you have in yourself. You have what it takes to do anything you set your mind to. Avoid allowing outside factors test your resolve. If you have faith in what you have on the inside, the rest will fall into place!
Out of curiosity, what changes are you facing in today’s environment? Leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.
God Bless and Chat Soon
Percy
P.S. I can be reached at percy@BarrWorld.com . Have a question drop me a line.