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Education
 Education
is a must
Achieve success in exams
Dealing
with interview jitters
From
college to workplace
Dressing for
success
Career
options
How
to make friends at college
Art
of communication
Career
How to be confident at work
Work
and family
Know Your Boss
Interview
basics
Secrets of a
perfect resume
Art
of job hunting
Guidelines
for changing career
Career
or marriage
Workplace
workouts |
 Are you
suffering from work place blues? Are you suffering from low self-confidence at
work? Well the trick is to adopt 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. But what if it
is your lack of self-confidence that is making you feel low and keeping you from
achieving greater heights at work? Here are some pointers to help boost your
level of self-confidence.
Find direction
Travelling 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 list will provide you
with a better picture of what is dampening your confidence level, and it guides
you when you make improvements. Also, start adopting a positive attitude.
Replace the "cannots" with more "cans". 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. If you are relaxed and focused, you will accomplish more. Remember,
you should only compete with yourself.
Don't be shy
Say 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.
Therefore, start focusing on others instead. Find 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. This not only makes the conversation more
personal, but 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. 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.
Do not fear criticism
Do not be
caught up in the emotions brought on by criticism. Your confidence should not be
hurt by inflated words like "always" or "never". Do not go into immediate denial
or counter-attack mode. Instead, consider the source and decide if the person
really has the expertise or knowledge to make his or her comments. If you decide
that the words are not just empty accusations, look at 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 colours to choose for your clothes, start
safe and go with neutral and discreet tones. Wear colours that you feel suit
you. Being comfortable with how you look 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 colour. Women can enhance their look with colourful
scarves and accessories and men can get away with colourful ties.
Enjoy life
How you are at work is strongly influenced by how
you are outside work. Away from work, pursue your interests passionately. Even
if these passions are not related to your work, your enjoyment of life will
reflect on your disposition when you are at work.  |