I’ve spent my whole life feeling less than confident about most things. We won’t get into the therapy session of why that is, but the great thing about getting older is that the things that used to make me hide and cower, is now water off a duck’s back.

I’m in my 40’s, menopausal (yeah, that started), and quite honestly just sick of exerting the mental energy; I’m SOOOO done with worrying about these things. With my newfound (and continuously improving) outlook on life, I’m on a mission to eradicate the bullshit we tell ourselves (or society tells us) about what we should or shouldn’t be.

If there's one thing that can truly make your business soar, it's not just the perfect product or service – it's your confidence. Imagine strutting onto the stage of your business like a rockstar, ready to steal the show. Well, guess what? You've got it in you, and I'm here to show you how to tap into that inner confidence and rock your business like never before. I’m no expert (obvs...) but I’m a work in progress and this is a classic case of “do what I say, not what I do” – haha such a “Mom” thing to say.

THE CONFIDENCE CONUNDRUM: DON'T LET SELF-SABOTAGE HOLD YOU BACK

Let's face it – we're our own harshest critics. When we let self-doubt and uncertainty creep in, we're basically sabotaging our own success. We second-guess decisions, avoid risks, and shy away from opportunities that could take our business to the next level. Here are five things you can start practicing to get you in the zone:

1. Embrace Your Wins and Learn from Your Misses

Every achievement, no matter how small, is a stepping stone to success. Celebrate those wins – they're proof that you're moving forward! And hey, mistakes happen, but they're just lessons in disguise. Confidence comes from recognizing that you're constantly improving. Pay attention to how your inner voice speaks to you - when you made a mistake or forgot a deadline, are you speaking from a place of shame or compassion? Instead of beating yourself up, embrace the opportunity to learn and grow.

2. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences

Ever heard the saying, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with"? It's true! Hang out with people who uplift and support you. Find the people that genuinely celebrate your successes and are there to support you through the challenges you face. Join networking groups, online communities, or attend events where you can connect with fellow creative entrepreneurs. A positive support system can do wonders for boosting your confidence.

3. Set Small Goals and Crush Them

Setting and achieving attainable goals is like adding fuel to your confidence fire. Start with realistic objectives, and as you knock them out of the park, you'll feel that surge of "I can do anything!" energy. Each victory will remind you that you're capable of more than you thought.

4. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

The comfort zone might be cozy, but it's not where growth happens. Challenge yourself to try new things, whether it's reaching out to potential clients, experimenting with new marketing strategies, or even public speaking. Each step outside that comfort zone chips away at self-doubt and builds your confidence muscle.

5. Practice Makes Progress

Confidence isn't a switch you flip or a code you crack– it's a skill you develop over time. Practice and repetition are your secret weapons. Whether it's perfecting your pitch, honing your negotiation skills, or improving your time management, consistent effort leads to improvement, and improvement fuels confidence.

Remember, it's okay to stumble, but never let self-doubt keep you from shining. Surround yourself with positivity, set achievable goals, step out of that comfort zone, and practice like you're getting ready for the biggest gig of your life.

So, go ahead and crank up your confidence to eleven!

Your business deserves nothing less than a rockstar performance, and you're the lead act. Get out there and show the world what you're made of – because confidence isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have for your creative business success.