It always amazes me when I see someone on television holding a press conference ? a lawyer outside a courtroom, a businessperson at the launch of a new product. Reporters ask hardball questions. The answers are given with conviction, without hesitation. The person being questioned exhibits supreme confidence. Where does that confidence come from? How do they get it? What lessons are there for those of us who also have to face difficult circumstances and need that same, high level of confidence?
You may be facing a difficult task. It might be something very unpopular. It might be something confrontational. It could be something you have never done before or puts you or your business at risk. It could be that you will have to make a speech in public. It is easy, under those circumstances, to hyperventilate, have sweaty palms and jittery knees. Whether it is making a sales presentation, implementing a new project, interviewing a prospective employee, disciplining someone, or having an argument with a vendor it will go so much better if you are confident of success.
That confidence comes from knowing the outcome you want to achieve, being prepared and being courageous. It comes from the inner knowledge that you are ready for the task at hand - you have done your homework, you have practiced, and you have looked for external contingencies that might otherwise interfere with your success. Knowing you have the courage to overcome your fears and dive in to the troubled waters of difficult or unpopular tasks bolsters your confidence.
Being prepared and courageous makes it easy to be confident and take on that task so, before embarking on any new venture, create a list of all the steps necessary to become as well prepared as possible. Go over your action steps and work through them one by one. Your list might be something simple with few steps that take just a short outline or it might be complex requiring many pages of notes, instructions, trainings, many meetings and practice sessions before you have the confidence to get on that path of success. Then square up your shoulders, take a deep breath, and go out there with confidence.
Larry Galler coaches and consults with high-performance executives, professionals, and small businesses since 1993. He is the writer of the long-running (every Sunday since November 2001) business column, "Front Lines with Larry Galler" Sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.larrygaller.com
Email Larry larry@larrygaller.com for more information.
Why do people start small businesses? The most frequently cited... Read More
Business plans continue to be an essential element of the... Read More
Select the best response to the statement below:As a solo... Read More
What would it be worth to you to receive a... Read More
Starting your own private label clothing company is not as... Read More
Richard Branson, billionaire founder of Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic... Read More
There are a whole range of reasons why customers buy... Read More
So many people work their whole life to make money,... Read More
How often have you either referred to or considered the... Read More
What I've discovered from most of my small business clients... Read More
I told my family that I finally accepted that my... Read More
It is widely held that one of the most important... Read More
It is a common known fact that it is far... Read More
Let me ask you a question? Imagine I would offer... Read More
I recently took an entrepreneurial quiz which evaluated my answers... Read More
We've all seen the hype: "We'll put your plan in... Read More
You have this burning desire you want to be on... Read More
Women business owners are our only clients, so naturally we... Read More
Rohit Kochgaway was very upset with his boss for his... Read More
1. Do What You LOVE: If you've chosen your business... Read More
Attention entrepreneurs: If you think the search for the ultimate... Read More
Lauren Rosenstadt was a single mom working at a herbcompany... Read More
When I got into business I wanted to build a... Read More
If your company is like the one I work for,... Read More
Some would say about certain issues that the means do... Read More
I was reminded of my own mortality today. I guess... Read More
If you are just starting a company and looking for... Read More
EMPATHY is a Natural Talent, you were born with it... Read More
Does the idea of running your own business sound exciting?... Read More
You should wait until you're older and have more business... Read More
Implementing changes, even when they're good for your business, can... Read More
Isn't it funny how people think that being self-employed is... Read More
1) Go back to basics. Take a couple of steps... Read More
1) No Umbrella Business Plan or Strategy -- Without a... Read More
A recent poll conducted by Forbes magazine shows that majority... Read More
When's the last time someone asked you: "What's new?" If... Read More
When you buy a business, you should have a plan.... Read More
One trait of franchisors and something you will find in... Read More
Companies seeking capital often ask how long the Executive Summary... Read More
I think it's fair to say that not everyone is... Read More
The "Great One" said it bestHockey legend Wayne Gretzky, when... Read More
An entrepreneur is an innovator. She sees a need in... Read More
Starting your own private label clothing company is not as... Read More
What is it that sets a successful businessperson apart from... Read More
Times are tough. The economy is in a constant state... Read More
So few really understand the drives and motivations of entrepreneurs.... Read More
Would you like to increase your chances of business success... Read More
So you had that fantastic business idea, the one that's... Read More
Entrepreneurs are a special breed of high achievers. They create... Read More
The definition of a startup means you have very few... Read More
Answering Service ResourceAnswering Service Resource |