Confidence

Confidence. It’s a word that seems to be thrown around quite a lot. Everyone seems to be telling us to ‘have confidence’. I know for me that’s often easier said than done.

I’m not sure if it’s because I struggle with anxiety or not, but I often worry that I’m doing something incorrectly. This makes it hard for me to trust in myself and my abilities. However, I’m slowly learning that I have good instincts and that I have to learn to rely on them and to trust that I do in fact know what I’m doing and talking about.

The other day at work I wanted to make sure that I was looking at everything right. It turned out that I was. My co-worker even said how sometimes one can begin to question themselves in our line of work. I said that I agreed and that I have in fact experienced this. She said that as time goes on, I’ll learn to trust in my instincts.

As I mentioned in previous posts, I think I’m pretty good at my new job. Yes, I ask for help (which is perfectly okay and there are people who are there to assist), but I am kind to those I assist and I take the time to do everything I can to help. I don’t give up on those that need my assistance and I go out of my way to do what is asked of me and, sometimes, what I offer to do on my own.

If you often get told to have confidence and you’re struggling to do so, you’re not alone. Having faith in ourselves can be difficult. Especially if you’re someone who wants to do your best and is worried about doing the opposite, you can start to self-sabotage and question your every move. However, let me tell you this: if you care that much about whatever you are doing, chances are that you are doing a great job! Trust in your abilities. If you need help, ask for it and keep mental notes on how to solve that problem on your own next time. And if you need help with that same issue again in the future? That’s okay too. Learning something new usually takes time.

No one is perfect. I repeat, no one is perfect! We all make mistakes and we all need some help sometimes. Both of those things are alright. Remember that you are a smart individual with many talents and that with hard work, you can and will accomplish your goals. I know it’s not always easy, but try to believe in yourself. Challenge yourself to become more confident!

Being Proud With Your Progress…And Not Comparing Yourself With Others

Hi everyone! Long time no write! As I touched on in my last post, I began my first official job. Therefore I’ve been busy and don’t have as much time to write. However, I wanted to take the time today to share with you the importance of being proud of ones progress and trying our hardest to not compare ourselves with others.

I’m not going to lie, it’s hard for me not to compare where I am in my life with where everyone else is. In terms of where I am, there are a lot of people who are further. I am almost thirty and as I reach that milestone, I start to reflect on where I could be in my life and yes, I begin to feel a little depressed. However, I start to realize something else – that I have made a lot of progress and you know what? It feels amazing! For the longest time I thought that I wouldn’t be able to get better at certain things because of my anxiety and you know what? I have! For the longest time I thought I wouldn’t find a job where I could work at home. You know what? I have! Not only that, but I truly feel that I’m doing a great job.

So yes, maybe I’m not as ‘far along’ with my achievements as some other people are at this age. Yes, I still struggle with anxiety and I still wish that it didn’t hold me back from doing certain things. But you know what? I’m trying my hardest and I am making progress. There is no doubt in my mind about that. None whatsoever. I am proud of how far I’ve come. I’m proud of my success and achievements. I’m going to keep working hard to get through my anxiety and I’m not going to give up. I believe that if I continue to face my anxiety on a consistent basis that I will make even more progress and hopefully, one day reach a point where anxiety will no longer hold me back from what I want to do.

I know that it’s hard not to compare ourselves to others. We see others who are closer to their goals than we are. Then there are some people who make rude comments or say hurtful things. It stops and makes us wonder if they’re right. I know what it’s like to wonder if I’m a failure. Let me tell you something. If you’re trying your hardest on a consistent basis then you are not a failure. Things take time and it’s okay if you’re not exactly where someone else is in life. What matters is that you continue to strive to make your life better. If you want to compete with anyone, compete with yourself. Make it your goal to make more progress so you can be more like the true version of yourself, the one that is not held back by negative obstacles.

I wish each and every one of you the best. Please remember to be proud of your progress!