Developing A Confidence Mindset

Confidence comes from within, it comes from the decisions you make and the actions you take. You need to develop what is known as a growth mindset, which will bolster the belief that you can be, and are, confident. 

First step: FOCUS 

The first step is to change your focus – because “Where you focus is where you will end up” 

Instead of getting hung up on all the ways something could go wrong, focus on all the ways it could go RIGHT. Think about how you’re going to nail your next exam, consults, surgery or presentation and how it will feel to walk away after knowing that you smashed it. 

What you focus on becomes your reality – and that includes what you focus on within your own mind. Replace negative words with positive ones and start seeing the bright side of situations. By changing your focus, internally and externally, you’re changing your state. And by changing your state, you’ll change your life. 

Second step: SELF TALK

How do you talk to yourself in your own mind? The self-talk you use, otherwise known as your inner monologue, has an important effect on your confidence. Your inner voice speaks 70,000 words a day. If you talk negatively to yourself all day, you will start to believe what your inner voice says. Your inner voice is geared towards safety, security and comfort... it will hold you back and slow you down as it does not want you to experience stress. So catch yourself when you are thinking negatively about your skills, knowledge, body and life and replace the thought with something that is more powerful. 

Third step: AFFIRMATIONS

We are going to build on the second step and work on how to counter the negative saboteur in your head with positive affirmations. You have probably heard about affirmations but I want to show you how to make powerful ones and impactful ones that have meaning and can impact your life.

First let's start with brainstorming positive beliefs that you have about yourself right now. What do you believe you are confident in or exceed at?

Your affirmations have to be based on “clear”, “rational assessments of facts” that you made using Rational Thinking, over time you will undo the damage that negative thinking may have done to your self-confidence. 

Your affirmations will be strongest if they are specific, are expressed in the present tense, and have strong emotional content. 

An example of a negative thought and a countering positive affirmations might be ... 

**Feelings of inadequacy: "I have studied and trained for this. I know what I need to do, I have the skills and knowledge and the resources that I need. I can do a really good job." 

**Worries about performance: "I delivered time and time again and I will now, I have prepared and I know what I need to do. I will shine bright and excel now. 

**Worry about other people's reaction: "I am well-prepared and am doing the best I can. Fair people will respect this. I will rise above any unfair criticism in a mature and professional way." 

What belief about yourself do you dwell on?  Fight back with a positive affirmation.