I was inspired to write this posting from an article by Nigel Percy who produces a brilliant weekly newsletter. Check him out here
Imagine the scene. You have been asked by someone senior to represent your company as he was invited to a big and important business event but, at the last minute had another even more important meeting.
BUT.. like good professionals do you have planned and prepared for it carefully.
You know …
- The timings
- The format
- The key people you want to meet
- How to get there…and back home again
- What you’d like to achieve from the event
- All about your hosts
- The dress code
- You’re feeling a touch anxious but ready for it
You then decide to pop in to see your close colleague for a quick chat an hour before the event.
“You look terrible! Your hair’s a mess and your shoes look ridiculous.” “You’ve no right to be in front of all those people; you’re too junior to represent the firm.”
“You don’t know enough about xxxx.”
“How are you going to break the ice,’ cos you don’t know anyone do you?”
And you’re so nervous that you’re bound to forget the name of your host.”
“No doubt you’ll do something stupid like tripping up or knocking your glass of wine over fellow guests.”
“People just aren’t going to take you seriously”
“ I think everyone is going to laugh at you and you’ll have to run off home early”
“I’d become ill if I were you and send your apologies.”
Why do we talk to ourselves like this? The next time it starts, ask the voice, “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?”
Give it a silly voice (Donald Duck is good) and send it to a far away, less significant part of your body (like your middle toe of your left foot). Let it try, from down there.
Believe in yourself; you can do it. You can walk into that room and be a great ambassador for your brand. be yourself. Give your full attention to people; be interested more than interesting
We have to believe in ourselves to succeed in life. You probably won’t learn anything useful if you don’t believe in yourself. It’s like going to school without any friends. No one to cheer you.
It’s important for us to have self confidence. It’s a way of lifting up our personality and be able to do things without being scared. Believing in our abilities will help us develop it.
That’s what my mother used to tell me, to believe in yourself. I always think about it during intense moments like being in front of many people. I also had thoughts about not going to make it. I just kept my mind on the right track.
You are right. How can we expect people to think well of us if we don’t think well of ourselves. The problem is not appearing over- confident.A hard balance!