Episode 95: A Confidence Boosting Exercise to Reduce Self-Doubt

So often we don’t see ourselves for who we really are. Fortunately, others do. This week’s episode covers why knowing this is crucial to knowing who you are, owning how you show up and the exercise that will help you get there. 

What You’ll Learn:

• What to do if you’re not moving forward and feel blah.
• An exercise I highly recommend to get you back on track.
• My experience with it and how it changed me.
• My challenge to you.

This is your year to find out and own who you really are and how you impact others around you. Schedule your Discovery Call with me today so I can help you map out your next steps to create the career and life you crave.

Hey friend! I’ve created a new training and companion workbook for you that will help you ditch those limiting beliefs that keep you stuck and create the confidence you crave. It’s 22 minutes of pure gold that moves you to the next level of success in your career or business. Go to my website, barbarachurchill.com and click the START HERE tab in the upper right hand corner. Enter your name and email and you’ll have instant access to this life-changing information. It’s that simple!

Transcript

It’s podcast day – yay! Hey there! How are you doing today. I am full of energy today and I’m ready to get a lot done today. Do you have those days – when you feel rested and ready to go? I love days like that for sure. And then there are those other days, when you feel like you don’t have what it takes to do everything you need to do and your imposter syndrome voice kicks in, telling you all those negative things about yourself. When you have days like that again and again, you believe those messages and it can be really difficult to shift out of it. 

That’s what we’re talking about today – what to do when that self-doubt voice takes over. Now, I’m not going to make this a long episode, because I want you to take time immediately after listening to do the assignment I’m doing to give you. It is powerful and one I’ve done myself and definitely reaped the benefits from. It’s the quickest way I know to snap out of the Debbie Downer thoughts and remember who I am.

OK – a little background first. A few months ago, I met with a small group of women I met in one of my networking groups. We come together once a month to keep ourselves on track with our goals and support each other. This particular group is very special to me because it’s filled with women of all different backgrounds and career history and believe me when I tell you, they are all incredibly impressive and powerful in their own right.

The purpose of this meeting was a little different. I was feeling the “after the holidays slump” so I decided we should all answer questions about what we want to create in this new year. Here’s what I asked:

·        What do you want to create in 2024?

·        What do you need to believe about yourself to create that?

Ask the group: 

·        What characteristics/traits do you see in me that are my strengths? 

·        What do you see in me that is impressive? 

·        How can I turn up the volume on that? - Suggestions to help each of us build what we want in 2024.

On the surface this might not look like that big of a deal. But let me tell you, it was an incredibly moving and powerful experience for each of us. We all took turns sharing what we must believe. There’s what came up: 

·        I’m one of a kind. No one does it like I do.

·        I’m worthy of success.

·        I have a lot to offer the world.

·        My business is transformative.

·        I am courageous, confident and believe in myself.

·        It’s not up to me to do it all. It’s OK to ask for help and let go.

·        I believe in myself fully, not just my skillset. 

·        I can create the life and career I want.

Now, remember these are very successful women who either run their own businesses or work for very successful companies in a large role. Do any of these sound familiar to you? I’m sure they do. They do for me. What I say in this is the need for each of us to pay way more attention to what we’re feeding our brains in terms of our thoughts – especially about ourselves.

Next, was the group share. We all shared our impressions of the person in the spotlight. It was so moving for the person receiving the feedback and I could tell some of the things said were a surprise – and a much needed one to hear for many in the group. Here is just a small snippet of what was shared:

·        Dedicated

·        Strong & strategic

·        Soulful

·        Perceptive

·        Brave

·        Engaging

·        Resilient AF

·        Commanding

·        Approachable

·        Confident & self-assured

·        Poise, grace, huge heart

·        Connector

·        Funny

·        Superhero

·        Courageous and never gives up

Wow, right? I found it so powerful to listen to everyone’s input and I loved sharing my impressions of each woman. It felt so good to share and support each other in this way. When it was my turn to receive their feedback on how they saw me, I felt many emotions, the largest was gratitude. What a beautiful experience we created for one another that day. 

The last part was giving suggestions on how they can amplify their impact and those were really creative and fun. There were six of us and it took just over an hour to complete. I wasn’t surprised as much as I was validated by what was shared with me. You see, like most women, I know in my soul who I am, but often don’t see it clearly in myself.

Doing this exercise will help you see yourself as others do and boost your confidence tenfold. Seldom do we see ourselves as we truly are. That imposter syndrome or self-doubt filter gets in the way. 

Now it’s your turn. This is your assignment and I truly hope you take me up on this challenge. Create a safe space for a few women (no more than 6) to meet and answer these questions. Give the questions ahead of time so they can prepare the thoughts they want to share. If you can do this in person, even better. Then plan to meet up in a couple of months for a check-in and recap of what you’re doing to move your goals and dreams forward.

So, are you in? Shoot me an email at hello@barbarachurchill.com and let me know what you’ve got planned and how it affects how you see yourself. And if this challenge feels uncomfortable for you, I get it and I can help. It’s time to schedule your Discovery Call with me today and I can do this exercise with you so you see how amazing you are and how the world really sees you. 

Alright my friends, go out and ask what others see in you – and prepare to be amazed at how fabulous you really are. Until next time remember:

I believe in you.