8 Lessons about gaining Confidence

Here are 8 lessons about Confidence that I’ve learned in 8 years of working in Advertising.

1. There is only so much we can learn in any industry. We will never know EVERYTHING. Once you accept that you will stop feeling so damn self-conscious about not knowing something.

2. Quit caring so much about what others think of you. We are constantly overthinking about how we sound and look in front of other people. This is normal but instead transfer this energy to learning more about yourself. Film yourself speaking and notice how you look and sound in a meeting. Observe your mannerisms, tone, speaking etc. Instead of feeding that toxic cycle of caring what others think, see for yourself and learn how to improve it instead.

3. Ask Questions. Ask questions early and often. Find managers, mentors or coaches who will not judge you for your questions but instead be willing to you help you understand. The fastest way to learn about something is to just ask!

4. Learn time management. The sooner you can track and understand how you use your time the more confident you can feel about your overall day. Lack of confidence can come from not understanding how to prioritize your time properly. You’re constantly worrying about getting the next thing done instead of understanding and managing your time, communication and tasks with priorities.

5. Be genuinely curious. Have a hard time speaking confidently to others? Worried that you have nothing to say? Have you ever tried just letting the other person speak more? Ask questions and listen to them instead if you find it difficult to add to a conversation.

6. Skip the booze. Advertising is filled with endless happy hours trying to fill you up with booze. Go to one of these happy hours, let your team mates enjoy a cocktail (or 10) and observe what happens. Meanwhile sip on a Coca Cola and just listen.. you will be amazed (in both good and bad ways).

7. Play to your strengths. Are you more introverted? Cool, find people that are more interesting to engage with 1:1 then. Extroverted? Great, harness that energy and learn how to be concise and direct with it instead of being so scatter minded.

8. Learn about yourself. Listen being confident is SUPPOSED to be difficult. Confident people aren’t always the Athletes, the CEOs or the TedTalk Speakers. Confident people are the ones who simply know who they are deep down and accept themselves. Don’t know where to start when it comes to learning who you are? My suggestion: start writing. Journal. Write one page of journaling every. Single. Day. And I promise you - you WILL learn about who you are.