It took me less than five minutes to start writing this article. However, it hasn’t always been so. I’d sit at my laptop psyching myself up to start. I’d decide it would be easier with a cup of tea and make one. It wasn’t writers block; it was simply lack of confidence. A lack of confidence born out of unfamiliarity. I was out of practice, so writing didn’t come naturally. I was prone to over think it. Contemplating the start, speculating what might happen and where I might find things difficult. Today, I just set a time and start writing. The thing for me is getting started. Like today, I’ve already written 100 words and I’m in flow.
For me and perhaps many others, business life is no different. I started writing out of necessity, we were a start-up, so I created content out of requirement. A reluctant writer isn’t always the best recipe for success. However, we’re here today and you can judge whether my increased confidence helps engage you as the reader?
My confidence has grown through doing, however reluctantly at first. Strangely I now really enjoy writing these short reflections. It is the same in any aspect of life or business, we all to a greater or lesser extent are subject to the following influences;
- Low self-confidence
- Excessive expectations
- Harsh Self-Judgement
- Preoccupation with Fear
- Lack of experience
- Lack of skills
Practical and emotional influences that impact our ability to get going and reduce our rate of growth. Limiting our personal and profession potential, our ability to achieve our vision.
Feeling confident comes from doing. It is the action; the starting off and doing that precedes it that is the key. Only then comes confidence and from that your personal growth.
Trying new things is no different as a business owner, as it was as a child learning to swim, or ride a bike. You’ll encounter lots of new situations which you are not yet confident in; finance, sales, marketing, recruitment, tax planning, acquisition…you pick your list.
Some are technical, others are situational and some require emotional intelligence however anything new or unfamiliar triggers feelings and preconceptions around unfamiliarity. The “six sappers of confidence” that cause the doubt that prevents you moving forward in your customary manner.
- Low self-confidence
- Excessive expectations
- Harsh Self-Judgement
- Preoccupation with Fear
- Lack of experience
- Lack of skills
Overcoming the “six sappers of confidence” starts with the decision to act and then requires commitment and perseverance. You build your confidence one small step at a time to give yourself a solid foundation. Remember that you don’t visit a climbing wall one week and book an Everest expedition the next. Give yourself a break, you’re learning. If you can get excited about, and trust, the learning process without being fixated on the outcome, you should find that your confidence will grow and the outcome you aspire to won’t be far behind.
I’m not Jim Collins or James Patterson and don’t aspire to write a book, however I’m now more confident with words based on my experience. After all, what is the worst that can happen? In my case, no one reads it or perhaps a bruise to my ego.
Sometimes small things are the manifestation of something larger. Something that might be holding you back and having a tangible impact on you in your personal or professional life. Perhaps it time to challenge yourself to grow and learn something new?
Next time
We explore the journey of Personal Growth to Business Vision.
