5 Tips on How to Be More Confident at Work

Insecurity can plague anyone of any age or background, and it can strike anywhere, even in the workplace. We know only too well what insecurity does to a person: it makes them feel inferior, inadequate, or not valued. 

At work, insecurity can rear its ugly head in many different ways. You may suddenly doubt how good you are at what you do or if you are even qualified. Worse, you may feel like withdrawing from unpleasant situations and keeping your thoughts to yourself. The sad reality is that work insecurity ultimately leads to a depreciation in job satisfaction and performance, which does not do you or the company any good.

Related article: How to overcome workplace insecurity

There are many sources of work insecurity, from feeling you are not validated or recognised for your efforts to work-life imbalance. When you stress constantly about work deliverables, it can be doubly challenging to feel in control and capable.   

So how can you cope with work insecurity? How can you deal with it in a way that you become more confident and assertive at the office? Here are five tips to help you get started.

1. Identify the causes.

Insecurity isn't a random phenomenon. A combination of environmental factors and your emotions causes you to feel this way. Acknowledging that you have work insecurity is an impressive first step but take it a notch higher. Try to be more sensitive and tune in to the particular scenarios or situations that trigger it. The sooner you identify the causes, the better you can address them.

Here are some typical sources of work insecurity that may be triggering you:

• Workload: You feel overwhelmed because the job doesn't seem to end.
• Compensation: You feel like your contributions are no longer equal to your salary.
• Career mobility: You feel left behind by colleagues advancing in their careers.
• Recognition: You feel like your efforts are going unnoticed.
• Organisational changes: You feel uncertain about the company’s stability and the potential impact it may have on your job.

2. Set goals you can achieve.

Whatever the cause of your work insecurity, you must respond to these with an achievable action plan. Setting overly lofty goals only make things more challenging and daunting for you, bolstering further insecurity. You know yourself and your capabilities the best, so place the bar just right so that you can muster enough self-esteem to set the wheels into motion.

It's natural that you don't always feel at your best with your output or how you handled a particular work issue. You're not perfect and that's okay. Treat these incidents as an opportunity to learn and grow. You may not be flawless but you can always become better. 

For example, say, you become extremely nervous whenever delivering presentations. Set practice sessions wherein you do five-minute presentations. When you start feeling good about your performance, progress by explaining more slides. You can also start with a small group of people you trust, such as close colleagues, so that you don’t feel as anxious and slowly build your confidence. Take things one step at a time and have faith that you can improve.

Moreover, don't underestimate the power of words. You can write motivational quotes in a notebook or on your computer desktop, or develop a routine where you face your reflection in the mirror and repeat a mantra. In this way, you’re also conditioning your mind to believe you are already as confident as you’d like to be.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

You may hesitate to admit that you need assistance to feel more secure at work. You may think it’s a sign of weakness to admit that you are faltering or lacking in some ways. However, seeking help is healthy. Even CEOs and members of senior management turn to life coaches and mentors to guide them in their careers. You can always gain something from another person's perspective.

For instance, you may feel like you’re floundering with the sheer amount of your work deliverables. When you can’t finish them in the expected amount of time, it’s a clear indication that you may have been given more than you can manage and you need support. 

First of all, pat yourself on the back. Because you’re concerned about the quality of your work, it shows just how much you care about your job. Remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can and you just need more time to get things done.

Speak to your manager and teammates. Raise any help needed and be transparent about what a more realistic timeline would be like, especially if you work alone. It can also inform your colleagues that you are open to their assistance.

4. Practise self-care.

More and more people are realising the value of mental health, so take care of your psychological and emotional well-being. Feeling good and having a clear mind can do wonders in achieving a sense of calm in the workplace. 

Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and incorporating a regular fitness routine ups your energy levels and keep you alert for any demanding work days. It keeps your mind sharp so you can tackle tasks with improved efficiency. 

Simple routines such as taking a brisk walk, jogging daily, or stretching also ward off those nasty body aches. Moderate physical activity also prevents you from feeling sleepy or sluggish. Research has also proven that exercise boosts the levels of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins in your body. These feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters help regular your mood and keep you feeling happy.

Do not forget to pamper your mind, too. Simple habits such as meditating, doing breathing exercises, journaling, or taking a few minutes of silence are effective ways to instil a sense of stillness and peacefulness, no matter how hectic the day may be. These are also ways for you to check in with your emotions.

Related article: Need A Confidence Boost? Here Are 10 Signs You’re Doing Well At Work

5. Maintain healthy working relationships.

As an employee, you don’t work in a vacuum. A big part of any job is building and maintaining relationships in the workplace. You must be able to do this with your peers and boss. Regular coordination and collaboration form the framework of any team, and prevent the organisation from chaos. 

Coming to the office knowing that you can openly talk about work-related and personal matters makes a massive difference in helping you feel more at ease. You know there are people you can confide in, seek guidance from, and can support you as you navigate your career. 

Whenever you have doubts or would like to seek recognition, turn to your manager for advice. Raise any concerns you may have as they are in the best position to assess your achievements and evaluate your readiness for a potential promotion or award.

Be a team player. Just like you, you likely have colleagues who are also seeking help. Invite a peer for coffee or get together after work for dinner to form stronger relationships. By radiating a friendly and approachable aura, you create a positive vibe in the office. This unintimidating atmosphere at work increases your levels of happiness at work so you don't feel overwhelmed, knowing you have people around who care for you.

Want more helpful advice on how to be more confident at work? Read more articles on JobStreet’s Career Resources section.