Starting any new job can be daunting, and as I began my job here at Newish, it got me thinking about confidence and how to be more confident in the workplace specifically. Whether you are starting a new job, internship, or are a little shy when meeting new people, there are many reasons why you may lack confidence.
It is proven that confident people tend to work more happily and are more likely to strive for their goals. If you feel like you could use a confidence boost, fear not – below are a few tips that will give you a helping hand in becoming the confident individual you are destined to be!
TIP 1: Get To Know Your Team And Colleagues
One of the best and easiest ways to gain confidence is to get to know the people you work with! Putting yourself out there and showing a genuine interest in those you work with is not only a great way to meet people and build connections, but it will make you feel more comfortable to ask questions, collaborate, and share your ideas. Finding out you have similar interests and goals will help you feel more connected to the people around you, as after all, who wouldn’t want to be friends with their colleagues?
TIP 2: Ask Questions
Never be afraid to ask questions! Asking questions shows initiative and that you care about learning and improving your skills. It may seem like everyone around you knows exactly what they’re doing, but it’s important to remember that everyone starts from somewhere and no one expects you to know all the answers right away. It’s always better to ask questions than to complete a task incorrectly because you were unsure of what to do. So fire those questions away and you’ll be sure to learn the ropes in no time!
TIP 3: Back Yourself
Always strive to be your own Number 1 fan! Believing in yourself and your abilities is key to gaining the confidence you need to thrive in a new workplace. Everyone has their own individual skills and abilities, each adding value in different ways, so there is no need to compare yourself to anyone else. If you were able to land the job, you should believe that you deserve to be there. So cut out the negative self-talk, because if you won’t back yourself, who will?
TIP 4: Always Support And Help Others
Not only is gaining your own confidence important, but supporting others to be more confident and comfortable is just as important, too! Always aim to be a supportive, inclusive, and encouraging person to those around you and show others that you care about contributing to a positive work environment. A supportive workplace where everyone offers each other a helping hand will help you feel more confident to tackle those daunting tasks (and finish those last-minute assignments)!
TIP 5: Learn From Your Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes and there will probably come a time when you will too. Nobody is perfect and making mistakes is an inevitable part of life and any new job, but it’s the way you handle making a mistake that is most important. The saying “practice makes perfect” is famous for a reason, so instead of beating yourself up over every little mistake you make, learn from them!
Sometimes gaining confidence is a gradual process, but if you keep putting that practice into place, you’ll get there in the end!