So, here’s the tea: I used to be the queen of self-doubt. Like, I’d walk into a meeting, and my inner voice would be like, “Do you even belong here? Are you sure you’re not just faking it?” 🙃 Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so. But over the years, I’ve learned a thing or two about navigating the professional world as a woman, and let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride.
First off, let’s talk about confidence. I used to think confidence was something you were born with, like good hair or the ability to eat pizza without getting sauce on your shirt. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Confidence is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice. One of the biggest game-changers for me was realizing that I didn’t have to know everything to be confident. I just had to trust that I could figure it out.
Take public speaking, for example. I used to avoid it like it was the plague. But then I got roped into giving a presentation at work, and guess what? I survived. It wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough. And that’s the thing: good enough is often good enough. We put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect, but perfection is a myth. It’s exhausting, and honestly, it’s boring.
Another thing I’ve learned is the importance of owning your achievements. Women are notoriously bad at this. We downplay our successes, or worse, we credit them to luck or timing. I used to do this all the time. Someone would compliment me on a project, and I’d be like, “Oh, it was nothing. I just got lucky.” 🙄 Newsflash: luck had nothing to do with it. You worked your butt off, so own it.
One trick I’ve found helpful is keeping a “brag file.” It’s basically a folder where I save all the positive feedback I’ve received, whether it’s an email from a client or a shout-out in a meeting. Whenever I’m feeling unsure of myself, I open it up and remind myself of all the times I’ve crushed it. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference.
Now, let’s talk about mentorship. I can’t stress this enough: find yourself a mentor. And not just any mentor—someone who gets it. Someone who’s been where you are and can help you navigate the ups and downs of your career. I was lucky enough to find a mentor early on, and she’s been a total lifesaver. She’s the one who encouraged me to take risks, to speak up, and to stop apologizing for everything.
But here’s the thing: mentorship doesn’t have to be formal. It can be as simple as grabbing coffee with someone you admire and picking their brain. The key is to be proactive. Don’t wait for someone to come to you—go out and find them.
Of course, no discussion about career advice for women would be complete without talking about work-life balance. Let’s be real: it’s a struggle. I used to think I had to choose between my career and my personal life, but the truth is, it’s not an either/or situation. It’s about finding a balance that works for you.
For me, that means setting boundaries. I used to be the person who would answer emails at 11 p.m., but now I’ve learned to shut off my laptop at a reasonable hour. It’s not always easy, but it’s necessary. And you know what? The world hasn’t ended. In fact, I’m more productive now than I was when I was working 24/7.
Lastly, let’s talk about failure. It’s going to happen. You’re going to mess up, and it’s going to suck. But here’s the thing: failure isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s often the beginning of something great.
I’ll never forget the time I completely bombed a presentation. I was so embarrassed I wanted to crawl under the table and never come out. But you know what? I survived. And more importantly, I learned from it. Now, whenever I’m faced with a setback, I remind myself that it’s just a stepping stone on the path to success.
So, there you have it: my journey from self-doubt to self-assurance. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. And if I can do it, so can you.
Remember, confidence isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being brave enough to show up, even when you’re scared. So go out there and own it. You’ve got this. 💪