What does confidence mean to you? Confidence is one of the key psychological capabilities underpinning the development of excellence, especially in work. Getting into a new career can be nerve-racking, especially if you just do not know where to begin. As you are navigating through your career, make sure you are building confidence in your work along the way. Unsure of where to start? Let me tell you what has helped me. 

First things first, do your research! Ask yourself, what do I already know about the job I am doing and what more can I learn? Get comfortable with knowing your skillset and see what was accomplished before your time. See what you could do differently now. Understand your clients, their needs, their tones, and what makes them unique. This will help you in the long run. 

Now that you have a good understanding of the direction your position can go, utilize individuals in your community and on your team. Join LinkedIn groups of people in the same field as you and be open to learning from others. Lean on these people as a support group. Like-minded individuals can help you stay motivated and on track. However, never disregard the people who may think differently than you because they might be what you need to try a different approach with your clients. 

You will always hear the sayings “practice makes perfect” or “fake it til you make it” …both are very true when trying to get comfortable in your career. The more you immerse yourself in what you’re trying to accomplish, the more practice you will get - gaining confidence as you go. Just don’t kill yourself over the attempts that are not satisfactory. Remember, to be great at something, you have to be bad at it first! 

Ultimately, when you feel you have a good understanding of the company you work for and the clients you manage, it is easy to make the right decisions. Surrounding yourself with a supportive team that you can bounce ideas off and brainstorm with makes a big difference. Using the tools mentioned above will help you dive right into your responsibilities and make a big impact in your position.. Don’t hide from what makes you uncomfortable. Embrace it. Try all of this and you will feel like a new person at work and see your confidence building in no time!