Build Your Entrepreneurial Confidence
Building your entrepreneurial confidence takes time, effort, and a commitment to learning. Confidence isn't something that happens overnight. It's an ongoing process of building trust in yourself as a business leader. Confidence is essential for entrepreneurs because it provides the strength and resilience needed to take risks, make decisions, and stay focused on achieving goals.
My dear friend Bridgitte Mallinson is the perfect example of someone who had leveraged unwavering self-confidence to become a successful entrepreneur. Bridgitte is a Functional Dietitian, entrepreneur, and business mentor. When I think of women who have gone against the traditional business model to create one that works for them, Bridgitte is top of mind. Why? Because her entrepreneurship journey started when she realized she had a lot to offer.
According to Bridgitte, confidence isn't only about knowing your strengths—it's also about recognizing and embracing areas of improvement. Self-confidence is the backbone of a resilient mindset, which is essential for entrepreneurs - but it doesn't come easy. Here's how you can build up your confidence.
Here's how you can build up your confidence.
- Don’t be afraid to get risky
The best way to build up your entrepreneurial confidence is by challenging yourself to try new things and learn from your mistakes. Set realistic expectations, break down tasks into smaller steps, and practice self-care techniques such as meditation or journaling. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors on areas where you need improvement, then use that information to develop strategies for success.
When you know exactly what your business is and what your purpose is - trust yourself and take the leap. As entrepreneurs, we often experience gut issues and face a lot of uncertainty when it comes to our businesses. The key is to believe in yourself and trust your abilities, give your all, and take that leap of faith.
Bridgitte says the first thing you need to do is trust yourself and have the belief that you can do it. The rest will follow. (With hard work of course)!
- Less stress is best
As an entrepreneur or business leader, stress is unavoidable. It's important to find ways to manage it so that it doesn't have a negative impact on your decision-making. One of the best ways to keep your stress under control is to take regular breaks throughout the day. Allow yourself time to take a walk, meditate, read a book, or enjoy a hobby. This will help to clear your mind and give you the opportunity to relax and refocus. It's also important to prioritize tasks and remember to delegate when necessary. Focusing on one thing at a time can help to reduce stress, as you don't have to keep track of numerous tasks. Additionally, delegating can help to reduce your workload and take some of the pressure off.
Most of all, remember to take care of yourself. Eating a healthy diet, prioritizing your gut health (Bridgitte’s specialty), getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly can help to reduce stress levels and keep them in check.
By taking steps to manage your stress, you'll be able to keep it under control and make better decisions. This will ultimately lead to better outcomes for your business.
- Utilize your unique talents
As an entrepreneur, it is important to recognize and embrace your unique talents and abilities. This self-awareness is the first step towards unlocking your full potential and creating a successful business. By focusing on the tasks that come naturally to you, rather than those you dread, you can use your natural aptitudes to your advantage. This can lead to a greater sense of purpose and satisfaction in your work and help you build self-confidence.
Once you have identified what you can bring to the table, you can then use that knowledge to create a strategy to best utilize your talents. Doing so will help you build a successful business and reach your goals.
At the end of the day, it is important to know and understand your unique talents and abilities. By recognizing what you can do and leveraging your strengths, you can be successful in whatever business endeavor you take on.
- Be resilient
As an entrepreneur, it is important to have emotional resilience in order to withstand failure and setbacks. Building this kind of strength requires practice and self-confidence. One great way to do this is by practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness helps you focus on the present moment and become more aware of your thoughts and emotions. This can help you better understand your own needs and feelings and also help you become more resilient when dealing with difficult or challenging situations. Additionally, it can help you develop self-confidence, which will in turn help you become more emotionally resilient. By taking the time to cultivate your emotional resilience and self-confidence, you will be better equipped to handle the challenges of being an entrepreneur.
- Find a mentor
Finding a mentor is one of the most crucial steps you can take as an entrepreneur to build your self-confidence. A business mentor can be a great asset to have in your corner. They have been through the same struggles and can provide you with valuable advice and support. They can offer business advice, help you stay motivated, and provide an outside perspective on your business decisions. With their experience, they can help guide you through the highs and lows of running your own business. So, if you want to accelerate your success, find an experienced business mentor who can provide the support and guidance you need.
As a business mentor herself, Bridgitte knows a thing or two about the importance of learning from others. Business mentors can give you priceless insight into the dos and don’ts of entrepreneurship so you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
- Build a support system
Surrounding yourself with supportive people is one of the best ways to build your self-confidence. Whether you are starting a business or growing an existing one, having a strong support system of like-minded people around you is essential. Joining an entrepreneur group or community can provide you with a network of resources, business advice, and new contacts to help you succeed. Attending networking events and conferences can also give you exposure to new ideas, mentors, and contacts that can help you make progress in your business. Having a supportive group of people in your corner is key to building confidence and achieving success.
- Be inquisitive & willing to learn
Building confidence as an entrepreneur can be daunting. It is important to stay curious, and inquisitive, and keep learning to develop the expertise and knowledge needed to be successful. An easy way to do this is to read books and articles about entrepreneurship and success. Doing this will help you to understand different concepts and provide you with a unique perspective to help you grow. Additionally, listening to podcasts or watching videos about entrepreneurship can be beneficial. There are several great resources that can assist you in building your confidence. Staying curious, inquisitive, and learning is key to cultivating entrepreneurial confidence.
Remember: You have unique skills and talents, and it's important to remember that you have the power to create something new and impactful. Don't be afraid to ask questions or seek out advice if you feel uncertain.
By taking small steps every day, entrepreneurs can build their confidence and develop a resilient mindset as they journey toward success. Remember: You are capable of creating something great! Use your unique skillsets to take on challenges, learn from failure, and grow into an even better business leader. The sky is the limit when it comes to your entrepreneurial confidence!
If you want to hear more on this topic from the self-confidence queen herself, tune into my recent podcast episode with Bridgitte. Bridgitte took her first coaching business from 0-$1M in just 16 months and has created a gut-health empire in GutPersonal. These achievements didn’t happen overnight and they surely weren’t accomplished with a lack of self-confidence.
