Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway: Build your Confidence to help you excel

Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Hospitality is a fast paced and dynamic industry, and having confidence is an important skill. Whether you are a receptionist, a F&B assistant, chef or a manager having confidence can significantly enhance your interactions with guests, colleagues and your own manager. Having confidence in your own abilities and judgment can greatly improve your customer service, teamwork and will give you greater job satisfaction.

Earlier this year I had the privilege of being asked to speak at the CIPD NI Conference in Belfast.

Daily, I lead workshops, I facilitate group sessions, I chair board meetings and I regularly engage with senior leadership in organisations. I am usually very confident and have lots of experience speaking in front of groups of people.

So why was I so nervous/anxious about this event?

Maybe it was because I wouldn’t have a slide deck to speak from, maybe it was because I would be speaking to a different audience than usual or maybe it was because this was my first actual public speaking event where I would have to sell my idea to a group of people to on an unfamiliar subject.

As I prepared for the event, I recognised all these feelings, I felt the fear and I did it anyway. It wasn’t easy, but I put on my best smile, and I tried to engage with my audience, to give them something new to take away from the session. In the end I think I did OK, but my, was I relieved when it was all over!

Several years ago, my good friend @Pauline gave me a book which was to change my life, Susan Jeffers, ‘Feel the fear and do it away’. Shortly after reading that book, I left a company I had for at for 16 years. I moved into more senior roles, and just a few short years later I started my own business. 

Confidence is not a personality trait we are born with, it’s a skill that can be developed with practice and effort.

Here’s my seven steps to help you develop your confidence, a crucial ‘soft skill’ to help you feel more comfortable in our own skin, to help you communicate better with others and to develop your career progression.

Step 1: Compliment other people.

Have your ever noticed, confident people compliment others and start conversations. Try to compliment at least one person every day.

Step 2: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Put yourself forward for tasks or roles that you would normally shy away from. First time isn’t easy, but it will start to fell more comfortable the more times you do it.

Step 3: Try to do things that scare you.

Feeling the fear and doing it away will to help expand your horizons. For me it was jumping off high rocks into the sea at Ballintoy with the guys at Coasteering NI.

Step 4: Expand your knowledge.

Read books, listen to relevant podcasts (not just True Crime), do an online course, ask questions and always put your hand up for more training in your organisation.

Step 5: Build your network.

Try to develop positive relationships with colleagues, other people in your industry and if you can, get a mentor who can support you and act as a sounding board.

Step 6: Approach life with a positive attitude.

I always think ‘what’s the worst that can happen’ and usually the worst never does! Don’t listen to the negative inner voice, face difficult situations head on and reflect regularly on what you have achieved and done well.

Step 7: Ask for feedback.

Yes, it can be uncomfortable, and as Brene Brown says, ‘Be brave. Listen. You can take what’s helpful and leave the rest’. Start with a trusted friend or relative, then ask your colleagues, your manager and yes, even your customers.  

Building your confidence doesn’t happen overnight, but with persistence, practice and a positive mindset you can start to develop this importance skill, which will help you to excel in your role. Trust in your abilities and watch your confidence soar!

If you’d like to learn more about the book that changed my life read more here. And if you’d like to learn more about how Podd Consulting can help you to develop your skills, or the skills of your teams, please get in touch by emailing nora@poddconsulting.com.