Bold in Confidence

Welcome to The Bold Brief—

You are a member of this community of top-notch expert nurses and healthcare professionals who aspire to be “bold” in career and life. We want to be bold in our life’s purpose and bold in life and career choices to live with authenticity, balance, and meaningful challenge.

So, bold in confidence.

Understanding Your Confidence

Confidence is more than simply feeling secure in who you are; it's the dynamic force that propels you to take meaningful actions towards your goals. Confidence involves varying degrees of embracing risk, managing fear, and committing to your personal and professional growth even when the path is uncertain.

Cultivating your confidence is crucial for anyone ready to step beyond their comfort zone and pursue an authentic life and career.

The Evidence to Understand Your Confidence

Confidence is a component of self-esteem and central to happiness, ¹ and includes your trust in yourself to have or maintain control of your life.

Studies have shown that confidence positively impacts mental health in life and work. Individuals who exhibit higher levels of confidence are more likely to show better work and life performance, satisfaction, commitment, and work motivation.² In the workplace, employees with higher confidence are more productive and manage high job expectations,² an important point to note for leaders and managers.

People with higher seniority have been shown to have higher confidence and are more likely to leave academia ² and nursing,³ both of which are important to explore during a global nursing shortage and nursing faculty shortage. With self-confidence, you can achieve your career goals and be adept at navigating changes and challenges.

What the Evidence Means for Your Work and Life

1. Evaluate your goals and achievements

2. Understand your fears and sources of fear

3. Estimate your risk acceptance and aversion

4. Examine your self-talk practices

A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Confidence

Step 1: Acknowledge Your Achievements

Start by writing an exhaustive list of all past achievements. How far back can you remember? Go back as far as you are able to remember! Recognize your past successes, no matter how small. This acknowledgment serves as a foundation for self-assurance. Make a list of your accomplishments to remind yourself of your capabilities. Read this list every day without fail. Add to each success.

Step 2: Be a Learner - Everyday

Knowledge is power. Enhance your confidence by being a lifelong learner, gaining new skills and expanding your expertise in your areas of interest. Lifelong learning makes you more competent and more confident in your professional and life decisions. Update your resume, CV, or portfolio.

Step 3: Set Small, Achievable Goals

Confidence is built through experiences of success. By setting and achieving small goals, you reinforce your belief in your ability to succeed. Each small victory builds your confidence for bigger challenges.

Step 4: Practice Self-Affirmation

Positive self-talk can significantly boost your confidence. Regularly practice affirmations that reinforce your value, skills, and right to achieve your dreams. Practice affirmations and positive self-talk daily.

Download these gratitude affirmations and use them every day for 30 days.

Step 5: Step Out of Your Comfort Zone Regularly

Confidence grows when you challenge yourself. Regularly engage in new experiences that push your boundaries, physical, emotional, psychological, socially. Whether it's a new project at work, a public speaking engagement, or a leadership role, each challenge will build your confidence.

Start implementing one step per week until all are natural to your habits and routines.

Why This Approach Works

• Targeted Dual Reflection: Building confidence through multiple small steps is effective because it combines internal self-reflection with external actions. Recognizing achievements and setting achievable goals provide concrete evidence of your capabilities, while educating yourself and stepping out of your comfort zone actively shape your competency and self-assurance.

• Balanced Approach: This balanced approach ensures sustainable growth in confidence, enabling you to actively pursue and achieve your life and career goals.

Conclusion

Cultivating your confidence is essential for anyone looking to lead an authentic and fulfilling life. Take action today, and let your growing confidence lead you to your full potential. Remember, every step you take out of your comfort zone is a step towards becoming the bold, empowered individual you aspire to be.

The bold career and life that you desire is not just a dream—it's within your reach. Let's make it a reality together.

P.S. If you want to learn from me on a daily basis, come connect with me on LinkedIn or in my Facebook Community.

Remember that this is a dedicated space for you, the nurses at the bedside and beyond, the committed healthcare professionals ready to explore transformative career paths beyond traditional roles. Every week, we'll dig into evidence-based strategies, insights, and stories designed to empower you to take bold steps toward a fulfilling career and life outside the hospital setting.

1  Why Self-Confidence Is More Important Than You Think. Link

2  The relation between Self-Esteem and Productivity: An analysis in higher education institutions. Link

3  The relationship between perceived competence and self-esteem among novice nurses - a cross-sectional study. Link