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3 Ways to Fake Confidence (While Working on the Real Thing)
Has a constellation of chin zits has zapped you of your confidence? Maybe there’s a Tinder ghost haunting the dimly-lit recesses of your mind? Could it be that your harsh inner critic is convincing you that you are a fraud and You Do Not Belong Here! (Hello, Imposter Syndrome, my old friend!)? Midway through a life-shattering breakup? Anxious AF? Struggling at work?
Whatever the case for your confidence deficit, there’s a practical tips you can follow to help you replenish your stocks. The first is to remember that confidence wobbles happen to everyone, and not to beat yourself up too much if they should befall you. The next three are listed out for your perusal below (along with gifs of Rihanna, Queen of Confidence).
1. Prepare for failure
You know what's a devastatingly popular strategy? Failing your way to success. British author and journalist, Elizabeth Day, has built a career out of it with her brilliant podcast series, How To Fail, whereby she interviews super successful people on the failures that have most defined them. It’s soul-soothing and wonderful and I suggest you go listen to it in 3, 2, 1…
Back? Ok, cool! Here’s another #inspiring recommendation for you. I was wallowing in a dark pit of anxiety-flavored hangover last Sunday when I stumbled upon our lord and savior, Brenè Brown’s, Netflix special and decided to give it a whirl. It was the only smart decision I made that weekend. Peppered with just the right level of self-effacing LOLs, the shame expert goes deep on vulnerability, courage and failure. She basically proposes that real bravery is putting yourself out there and accepting that not everyone will like what you’re about, and that you are going to F-A-I-L. You are not gonna RISK failing, came her glorious booming voice through my computer speakers as I reached for my kebab, interest piqued. It’s GUARANTEED that you WILL fail! You’re gonna get hurt!
So far, I’ve only channelled her advice for very small acts of bravery (mainly work-related and involving asking strangers for coffee), but I still like to imagine that from hereon in, there’ll always be a pint-sized Brenè perched atop my left shoulder, cheering me on when I need it the most.
And now, one final hair toss from RiRi to drive these points home:
Ever wondered how can stress and anxiety show up on your face? Read this.
