In my opinion, confidence is your number one asset in business.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary lists the Essential Meaning of confidence as follows: A feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something.
So, in a nutshell, confidence is: Trust in yourself.
The number one issue I see on why certain people feel like they can't reach their goals is a lack of self-confidence. This could be in the voice over industry or in any other!
Here are a few hacks that I use and think might be beneficial for you.
MORNING GRATITUDE & AFFIRMATIONS
The way you start your day can drastically change your mood and mindset.
When I sit down at my desk, before I turn on my computer, I list at least 5 things that I am grateful for each day.
Then I spend a minute with each topic and get into that good feeling place, truly feeling the emotions.
You may ask why this will help with confidence?
Doing this daily will help train your mind to look for the positive things around you. Helping you remember and celebrate the small wins along your journey.
After my gratitude session, I write out and feel the positive affirmations that I want to work on during this season of my life. Always in the present tense!
Affirmations help re-wire your brain and look for the solutions to lead you in the direction of your goals.
One of your affirmations could be: I am overflowing with confidence!
Some journals that I've used in the past are the 5-minute journal or the Start-today journal.
EDUCATION
This can look different for everyone, but learning all you can in your current field is very important.
This will allow you to use knowledge as power, and when you feel powerful….The byproduct will be confidence.
Education doesn't just come from traditional education such as universities, although this is an option. It could come from many different avenues, such as:
One-on-one coaching sessions
Webinars
Reading books related to your industry
Listening to podcasts
In-person training sessions
Industry magazines
Conferences and Networking events
And anything else that is going to help give you knowledge
HYPNOSIS
Okay, I know some skeptical people might think that this is completely bizarre and won't work, but I have tried it, and it works for me.
If this isn't your cup of tea, just skip to the next topic!
Our subconscious mind can do some really strange things to protect us.
It can create limiting beliefs or blocks that could affect our self-confidence.
Let's imagine that you are 8 years old and your teacher yells at you in front of the entire class and says, "You can't do anything right!"
This is a traumatic event that your subconscious mind held onto, and now, even though you are an adult, you have a hard time finishing what you started.
This could be because your subconscious mind is holding on to that 8-year old's trauma and doesn't want to finish anything because it feels like it won't do anything right, so why even bother.
As we can see, your subconscious mind is trying to protect you, but this is no longer serving you.
Hypnosis can lead you deep into your subconscious mind and give you the tools to break free from these blocks.
I have had in-person hypnosis sessions, and I have used recordings such as the ones provided by Marisa Peer!
Keeping your promises (especially to yourself)
Remember: Confidence is trust.
If you said you would go to the gym today at 5 PM, but when 5 PM comes around, you decide to sit and binge-watch your favorite series instead.
You are breaking the promise that you made to yourself.
If you do this consistently, you will no longer trust yourself.
And if you don't trust yourself, how can other people trust you?
One of the quickest ways to build self-confidence is to do the things you said you would do and keep those promises you made to yourself.
You promised to the gym 3 times a week – DO IT!
You promised to get one on one coaching at least once a month – DO IT!
You promised to practice a new skill at least 20 minutes a day – DO IT!
These small wins will create trust in yourself and allow you to build on this momentum!
Bonus, when you keep these promises, you can use them during your gratitude session in the morning too!
I hope these tips help and if you have any tips you want to share, please feel free to do so in the comments!
This article was written by, Stephanie Matard.
I am an international american voice over actress. Born in the USA, now living and working in France, helping clients all around the world with there voice over recording needs. Let me know how I can help you! You can visit my home page here: https://www.stephaniematard.com/
Boy, if I only remembered to employ a little more Stuart Smalley in the morning, my whole day would change! Remember him? "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggonit, people like me." The SNL-based halcyon motivational self-coach who would start each show with a soothing in-the-mirror pep talk. Ha! Funny, but SO critical! This is why I post inspirational phrases for the VO community in the Global Voiceover Artists Network on Facebook...we so need it! Great blog, Stephanie. Thanks for the encouragement to remember to boost our own spirits in an industry that can beat us down sometimes. Onward! :-)