Starting out as a business owner is a hard ride, even when you’ve got some experience in such a career. After all, in much the same way you need confidence to ace an interview you’re determined to impress in, you’re going to need a good sense of self esteem and belief in your skills to build your business.
Now that doesn’t come easy or cheap! But becoming more confident in what you do doesn’t need to feel like a mountain you can’t climb; here are some ways to feel like an expert at anything you turn your mind to.
Realise what you’re scared of
If you know what frightens you the most when it comes to your career, you can stare it down much more effectively. Maybe you’re not sure you can head up a team? Maybe you’re worried about the interpersonal skills needed to deal with customers? Or maybe you’re worried you won’t be able to understand your cash flow?
Whatever it is that you’re scared of, write it down and make sure you understand it. Once you can put a name to it, it doesn’t seem so big anymore, and you can find ways to work around it. You can come up with strategy plans to tackle them, and even delve into the best and worst case scenarios to prepare yourself.
Join a course
Going on a course to boost your confidence is a good way to get hands-on experience in a safe space. After all, a course of sales coaching won’t put you in front of anyone who could impact your profit line. And when you’ve got a mentor in front of you, you can be sure there’s a lot of good information to learn.
So think about taking a course – you can even do plenty of them online. You don’t have to go anywhere and you can take your own time, which are two great ways to maintain a sense of comfort while pushing yourself forward even more. Working from home is the new normal, and being able to move with the times is just another way you can feel confident in your business goals.
Work with others
Working with others is a great way to learn on the job. Maybe there’s a fellow entrepreneur in town with the same goals as you? This is your chance to band together and support each other. After all, a bit of moral support and a knowledge bank to share in goes a very long way.
Plus, you can start to practise your deal negotiating skills. This is someone you can easily strike up a conversation with, and that can help you feel much more confident in approaching bigger businesses and investors. You’ve got a lot to learn, yes, but you’ve also got plenty of time to learn it when there’s someone equal by your side.
Your confidence as a business owner needs to be adaptable. Use tips like these to help you bounce back.