Practice as a Pathway to Confidence

Confidence is not an innate trait, but a skill that is built and strengthened with deliberate practice.

To be assertive, it is crucial to transform the internal dialogue from one filled with self-doubt and criticism to one of support and positive affirmations.

This mental transformation, combined with action, is the path to becoming a more confident and assertive person.

Transforming the internal dialogue

The first way to build confidence is through transforming the internal dialogue.

Instead of telling ourselves "I'm going to stutter and no one will take me seriously," we should replace those thoughts with realistic statements such as "I have prepared well, I have solid arguments, and I am capable of speaking."

Another effective tool is positive visualization, where we imagine ourselves succeeding in stressful situations.

By visualizing success, we prepare our mind and body to act with the right posture, tone and gestures.

Celebrating small accomplishments

Confidence is built with small steps.

Instead of waiting for a big moment to be assertive, start with simple actions, such as asking a question in a meeting or paraphrasing a colleague's idea.

Celebrating these small accomplishments gives us the momentum we need to keep moving forward.

In addition, lack of confidence often stems from a lack of preparation or skills.

Therefore, a proactive approach to mastering a topic or skill in which we feel insecure, such as reading a book or taking a course, builds our confidence in a sustainable way.

Regular practice as a habit

Practice is the only way to master any skill.

One should start with low-stress situations and gradually progress to more difficult ones.

The goal is to make assertiveness a habit, so that assertive and confident responses come naturally, without overthinking.

By taking deliberate action, you build self-confidence in a sus