Blog Post: Staying Energized: Confidence, Creativity and Collaboration (part one)

On August 1st, members of the Denver Coach Federation hosted our first free workshop for job seekers: "From Coping to Creating: Emerging from Unemployment with a Life You Love." People came from all different backgrounds and interests, and from as far away as Chicago.

 

Two things were clear: there's a lot of frustration out there, and no one is alone in it. So how can you stay energized (and sane) when you're feeling like you're out of ideas? Remember the three C's: Confidence, Creativity and Collaboration. Today, we'll look at Confidence. Look for the blog tomorrow to read about Creativity and Collaboration.

 

CONFIDENCE: We usually think of confidence as something we have or don't have. We don't often think of it as something that needs to be managed. But confidence may be the single most important predictor of success. Ever wonder why it's easier to get a job when you have a job? Confidence. As Rosabeth Moss Kanter notes in her book titled Confidence, "Confidence consists of positive expectations for favorable outcomes. Confidence influences the willingness to invest -- to commit money, time, reputation, emotional energy, or other resources -- or to withhold or hedge investment. This investment, or its absence, shapes the ability to perform. In that sense, confidence lies at the heart of civilization. Everything about an economy, a society, an organization, or a team depends on it." Worth spending some time on, then, yes?

 

To begin, first create a list of things that give you confidence. When do you walk a little taller? When do you feel more at ease? What are you sure you do well? Write down all the things you can think of, and identify the top 10. Choose 3 or 4 of those items every day that you will devote some attention to. This can be as simple as dressing well every day, regardless of where you actually have to go. Or, it could be drafting a list of the achievements your most proud of and posting them somewhere prominently to remind you of the results you've already produced in your life.

 

Second, create a plan for your day. How many hours of job searching will you do? How much time networking? How much time doing something just for you? When our days lack structure, particularly after losing a job, we often feel like we didn't achieve anything worthwhile. Creating a schedule will keep you focused, and give you something to look back on to see what you've accomplished.

 

Third, actively focus on the positive. This is critical. Before bed each night, review the day and make a list of five things you did well. Maybe you made a new connection. Maybe you helped a friend with a connection you have. Maybe you got out and walked the dog on a new route. If you just can't come up with five things, finish the list with things you're grateful for. The point is to give yourself credit and appreciate the day, which is not something we usually do in challenging times. You'll start to see one action building on another, bolstering your confidence. Sometime soon, you'll be able to look back and see that it was the little steps that moved you forward.