Unfortunately, confidence isn’t something that magically appears overnight, especially when you’re a business owner and there’s so much riding on you and your ideas.
Confidence is actually something that can be built up over time with experience, learning, and – whether you like it or not – a lot of trial and error. And if you’re feeling a bit unsure or hesitant as you run your business don’t worry; you’re definitely not going to be the only one – every business owner has felt exactly the same at some point.
The good news is there are ways to build up your confidence more quickly, so let’s take a look at some of them; keep reading to find out more.
Start small and celebrate wins
One of the best ways to boost your confidence is to start small and celebrate your wins, no matter how tiny they might seem – they’re all moving you forward in the end. It could be landing your first client, hitting a sales target, or just getting through a particularly tough week, but whatever it is, it’s crucial to acknowledge those successes because that’s going to help you realize that you’re getting where you want to go.
It’s easy to get caught up in the big picture and forget about the progress you’ve made, but when you take a moment to think about your achievements, it’ll remind you that you’re capable of handling the challenges that come your way. Plus, a little celebration never hurts!
Keep learning
When you think about it, confidence comes from knowledge, so learning new things is a great idea, but it’s good to know you don’t have to know everything at once. Sometimes people fall into the trap of thinking they need to be an expert in every single area of their business to feel confident, but that’s simply not true – if you focus on learning the things that matter most to your business right now, you’ll still get ahead and you’ll feel great about it too.
For example, if you’re in an industry filled with jargon, take the time to understand the basics by learning about waste industry terminology (or any other industry) a bit at a time. You don’t have to master it all at once, so don’t feel pressured to do that – just take it one step at a time and learn at your own pace, and you’ll naturally gain confidence without feeling overwhelmed.
Find supportive people
The people you surround yourself with can have a massive impact on your confidence, and that’s why it’s important to have a support network of people who believe in you and encourage you when things get tricky – as they will when you run a business, because that’s how it works.
Being around people who uplift you can remind you of your strengths and help you see things from another angle, which is important in business but it’s also a big challenge a lot of the time. And if you’re feeling stuck and unsure, sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement from a friend, loved one, or mentor, and you’ll see the right path to take.
