Confidence at work pays; and how!

The trick to doing well at the office can never really be found in manuals and how-to books! You need to make a start by adopting a positive attitude towards work, your colleagues and your superiors and believe me it will work wonders at making you feel 10 feet tall. Work blues hit us even during our best days, even at a time when you think that you are the most successful person at work! The real rogue here is your lack of self-confidence that makes you feel low and keeps you from achieving greater heights at work? Here are some pointers to help boost your level of self-confidence.

Find direction
Traveling without a map or proper directions can get you lost easily. Create a career map by listing the areas you feel you lack confidence in. This could include your fear of making presentations or your inability to make a quick recovery after you have made a mistake. This could also enlist your talents and your aptitudes for the areas you have so far not covered. Its easy to understand and tell yourself that you already know all that you are writing down, but believe me jotting it down helps you intensify your talents even further! This list not only provides you with a better picture of what is dampening your confidence level, but it also guides you when you make improvements.

Also, start adopting a positive attitude. Replace the "cannots" with more "cans". Whether you are known to be the worst speaker of the lot or even the average person at presentations, always say to yourself that, "I can". Repeat it mentally at least 10-15 times and you’ll see the difference for yourself! Keep in mind that you have the power to choose and make decisions that can have a positive impact at work. You are not powerless to change things. Do not become too pressured to effect change immediately. Take one day at a time. If you are relaxed and focused, you will accomplish more. Remember; try only to compete with yourself, never with others! Role models are great to have, but not at the time when you are trying to access your capabilities!

Don't be shy
Imagine that you have just joined the company, or have just been posted to a new department. How can you overcome your shyness and start making new friends? Shyness results because you focus too much on yourself, your fears and your insecurities. It may even be thanks to the upbringing, as many parents are absolute hard-task masters while bringing up their children. But then either ways, its best to push them aside! Start focusing on others instead. Find a common ground. Show genuine interest in what your colleagues tell you; do not just nod mindlessly.

Use the other person's name when you speak, (and if you tend to forget, write it down on a piece of paper, or even better note the daily events in your diary. This not only helps you express yourself clearly, it also registers the image of the person in your mind, accelerating your memory!) Of course, it makes the conversation more personal, and it also helps you remember names more quickly. Finally, do not underestimate the power of a smile. A smile speaks volumes and makes you more approachable. Once your peers accept you, you will feel better about yourself.

Take risks
It may sound ironic, but taking risks actually boosts your self-confidence. You just have to adopt the right attitude at the beginning. The theory of "I can". Assume responsibility for the risk and have clear ideas about where you are heading. Having a positive attitude towards risk-taking is a good way to make great strides forward. Hold your pretty head high!

Do not fear criticism
Do not be caught up in the emotions brought on by criticism. Consider this, if you haven’t yet achieved anything, as you are on your personal training program, then you really don’t have anything to lose either! Your confidence should never be hurt by inflated words like "always" or "never". Do dig deep into immediate denial or counter-attack modes. Instead, consider the source and decide if the person really has the expertise or knowledge to make his or her comments. If they aren’t then forget it right away! If you decide that words are not just empty accusations, then analyze it and look into it as an opportunity to improve yourself. Forget trying to control what others think of you. Instead, control what you can -- your own thoughts and feelings.

Dress right
If you are unsure about the colors to choose for your clothes, start safe and go with neutral and discreet tones. Wear colors that you feel suit you. More importantly is being comfortable with how you look. This often translates to being comfortable with who you are. And as you become more certain of yourself, you can spice up the look with a little color. Go gradually and not by what the others say as at this point of time you can trust no one but yourself! Women can enhance their look with colorful scarves and accessories and men can get away with colorful ties. Although choosing the right tie can sometimes be a botheration, its best to go by your instincts.

Enjoy life
All and all keep this as your bottom line. It doesn’t matter who you are, you need to bear in mind that your personality is constantly being assessed; so all eyes are on you making you live in a state of constant alert! How you are at work is strongly influenced by how you are outside work as well! Away from work, pursue your interests passionately, don’t let go of hobbies and never lose track of your near and dear ones! Because even if these passions are not related to your work, your enjoyment of life will reflect on your disposition when you are at work. Some food for thought!