Today, I'm writing about more about confidence. Everyone wants it, but not everyone REALLY has it. Confidence lies beneath the surface. Recently, I had a conversation with a girlfriend on confidence inside of corporate America and how it is challenging to maintain amidst micro-aggressions. We discussed a time as children before we knew what that big word even meant and pondered the effect it has had on us as adult women. That conversation inspired this blog today.
In a world where self-doubt and societal pressures often cloud our sense of self-worth, cultivating confidence becomes not just a desire but a necessity for us women seeking fulfillment and empowerment. While stories of triumph and resilience inspire us, it's the practical steps we take in our daily lives that truly shape our journey towards confidence. Today, I've got 3 actionable takeaways that I believe every woman can implement to nurture her inner strength and embrace her true potential.
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Embrace Your Authenticity In a society that often glorifies perfection, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to unattainable standards. However, I'm exploring the thought that true confidence stems from embracing our authentic selves, imperfections and all. Making intentional time to reflect on your values, passions, and strengths is key. Celebrate what makes you unique and honor your individuality without seeking validation from others. Authenticity is magnetic—when you embrace who you are, you inspire others to do the same. I'm quirky - and gonna stay that way OK?!?!
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Challenge Your Inner Critic Why are we so hard on us?The voice of self-doubt can be relentless, feeding on our insecurities and holding us back from reaching our full potential. To cultivate confidence, we must learn to challenge and reframe our negative self-talk. Perhaps we can start by identifying the limiting beliefs that undermine our confidence and question their validity. Replace self-criticism with self-compassion, offering ourselves the same kindness and understanding we would give to a dear friend facing similar struggles. Remember, we are worthy of love and acceptance exactly as we are. One example: instead of telling myself "I'm so nervous!" before big meetings and speeches, I've started telling myself "I'm so excited!" Nervousness and excited feelings show up the same way in the body. Sweaty hands, nervous gut, dry mouth. So why then do we choose to grab the nervous lens in lieu of the excited lens? Shifting our mindset is key.
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Take Bold Action Confidence is not just a mindset—it's a muscle that grows stronger with each step we take outside our comfort zones. Meaning - we must do the thing that scares us. We must face the invisible, big, bad monster. To build confidence, it's essential to push ourselves to take bold and courageous action, even in the face of fear. I remind myself often, "Speak up, even if your voice shakes." Setting achievable goals that stretch our limits and commit us to pursue them with determination and resilience is one way to set ourselves us for success. While on successes - CELEBRATE your successes, no matter how small, and learn from our failures as valuable lessons on our journey towards growth. Remember, the most significant transformations often occur outside the confines of familiarity.
By embracing authenticity, challenging our inner critic, and taking bold action, we can lay the foundation for a life filled with confidence, purpose, and fulfillment. As we navigate the highs and lows of our journey, remember that confidence is not a destination but a continuous process of self-discovery and growth. We've gotta learn to trust in our inner strength, and know that we possess the resilience and determination to overcome any obstacle that stands in our way. Embrace the journey with courage and conviction.
Queendomly yours,
-Ashley