7 Confidence Killers for Success You Can Overcome
Learn what destroys your confidence and how to conquer the effects.
In 2007, I thought my world was coming to an end. I was laid off.
I was laid off after working for 24 years at the same credit card company. My best friend and I decided to start our own business. Although I had the skills, I lacked confidence. Reflecting on it now, I realize I couldn’t have succeeded without overcoming my lack of confidence.
To be successful, you need confidence. Confidence helps you believe in yourself and your abilities. In this article, you will learn what confidence killers are and how to overcome them.
Understanding confidence killers
Confidence killers are anything that diminishes your self-esteem or self-reliance. Identifying these obstacles is crucial because confidence prepares you for life’s experiences and helps you act on them.
The 7 Confidence Killers
1. Fear of failure
To begin with, fear of failure undermines any thoughts of being successful.
For example, as a child, my whole family loved skiing (except me). One day, there was a big competition on the slopes, and my parents insisted I participate.
It was the most mortifying experience I had. It was my turn. I was terrified. I had no self-esteem. I kept falling.
That is just one example of how I felt humiliated. This fear held me back from trying new things.
2. Negative self-talk
Negative self-talk, like “I can’t do this” or “I’m not good enough,” can erode your confidence. It’s like having a little devil on your shoulder, criticizing everything you do.
3. Perfectionism
Striving for perfection sets the bar too high and leads to constant dissatisfaction. You might spend hours revising and still feel your work isn’t good enough.
You spend hours revising and editing, getting your content “just right.”
You see mistakes as unacceptable.
Your self-worth is based on the quality of your writing.
You’re never satisfied with your writing.
4. Comparing yourself to others
Comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, all while you may be focusing on others’ successes. Social media often exacerbates this, showing idealized versions of others’ lives.
5. Lack of a support system
Without a supportive network, rebuilding confidence becomes challenging. It can affect mental and physical health and lead to depression.
6. Procrastination
If you tend to procrastinate, you are in good company. Famous people include Bill Clinton, the Dalai Lama, Frank Lloyd Wright, Margaret Atwood, and even Leonardo da Vinci. So, you are not alone.
According to Verywell Mind, there are many causes of procrastination. Delaying tasks can create stress and anxiety, impacting self-esteem.
7. Fear of criticism
Our final confidence killer is fear of criticism. Fearing criticism can significantly harm your confidence. Worrying about judgment or negative feedback can make you hesitant to take risks or express your ideas.
Overcoming the 7 confidence killers
To build and maintain your confidence, you must address the common obstacles that can undermine it. Here are seven practical strategies to help you overcome these confidence killers and boost your self-assurance.
1. Embrace Failure as Learning:
Reframe failure as a growth opportunity to learn and improve.
2. Practice Positive Self-Talk:
Cultivate a positive internal dialogue through affirmations and mental exercises.
3. Set Realistic Goals:
Break down larger tasks into manageable steps to build confidence.
4. Focus on Personal Progress:
Concentrate on your journey and achievements rather than comparing to others.
5. Build a Supportive Network:
Seek and establish a network of mentors, peers, and community for encouragement and support.
6. Tackle Procrastination:
Implement time management techniques and accountability measures to overcome procrastination.
7. Accept and Learn from Criticism:
Approach criticism constructively, using it as feedback for self-improvement and building resilience.
Final thoughts
We all face obstacles that threaten our success and undermine our confidence. Confidence killers can challenge your self-esteem and success but can be overcome.
Reframing failure, practicing positive self-talk, setting realistic goals, focusing on personal progress, building a support network, tackling procrastination, and learning from criticism help maintain and boost confidence for personal and professional growth.
So, go forth and conquer. Take joy in knowing you can beat these 7 confidence killers into submission and achieve success, no matter what life throws at you.
Your story about skiing reminded me of how I felt sometimes riding with my bosses on sales calls. It was hard when I felt like someone was watcing and judging.
Love that it's written in the first person and you added the video. A supportive network is sooo important