Last year, I had the pleasure of delivering a workshop in my hometown, at the kickboxing fitness centre I used to train at Del’s Fitness Centre. Helping people improve their confidence and mindset for success are two topics I am passionate about. I know harnessing these two areas really helps empower people to achieve whatever it is they want.
Too many of us have bundles of competence – we know what we are doing, and we do it well – but we lack the confidence to propel us to the next level, or to show the world how brilliant we are. We’re then missing out on the promotions, amazing relationships (not just romantic ones FYI), life-changing opportunities, new experiences, etc.
Lesson #01:
Your mindset is like a heat-seeking missile
Lesson #02:
Know that confidence is learned
Lesson #03:
Remember, confident people don’t people-pleasing
Lesson #04:
Know your brain is formed by input
Our mindset can also be our own worst enemy. Almost every minute of everyday your head is full of thoughts, beliefs, and expectations. The truth is, most of your self talk or inner chatter, is negative and self-limiting. It is too easy to let the negative internal chatter bring us down and hold us back. I know because I am that person. I am not saying I had a split personality! But we ALL have that inner naughty voice that tells us we’re no good or implants unnecessary worry into our heads. Just imagine what you could achieve if you swapped “I don’t know if I can” to “I know I’ll smash it!”
Here are four key lessons to improving your confidence and mindset for success:
Lesson One: Your mindset is like a heat-seeking missile
Your brain is a funny old thing. I always say that your brain is like a heat-seeking missile – i.e. it will look for and find anything you tell it to. Your brain will be on the hunt for the validation, options or evidence it is asked to find.
Something else is at play here too – “cognitive dissonance”. Cognitive dissonance is essentially the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes. In a nutshell, whatever you think, good or bad, the mind will look for “evidence” to support it. The mind just doesn’t want to have inconsistency. And I say evidence loosely because it is often not even fact, but our brain doesn’t like to be wrong, so it will support whatever you tell it!
When you tell yourself you’re bad at numbers, won’t be able to get that promotion, don’t have time to live a healthy lifestyle or whatever negative story is yours, well guess what? Your brain will back you up! It wants that consistency!
Your brain seeks out whatever input you give it, so you have to be careful about what you are putting in! Start improving your confidence and mindset immediately by being mindful of what you are telling it to look for. Start saying that you are smart, healthy, know your stuff, have a great skill set, etc.
“Your mindset is like a heat seeking missile… be careful what you programme it to look for.”
– Alice Dartnell
Lesson Two: Know that confidence is learned
For some reason, many of us think that confidence is something we have, or we don’t. We look to the confident ones with admiration (and jealousy?) because we think they have some natural gift of self-assurance that we weren’t lucky enough to be born with.
Well, take it from someone who was riddled with anxiety and had issues with their self-worth, that this is not the case. Confidence is 100% learned.
If it was as simple as just being confident or not, then you wouldn’t be confident in some areas of your life, and not in others. For example, you might be confident in social settings but struggle with it at work. It is not a case that you are not confident then and that’s it, but simply you just haven’t learned it yet.
Start to improve your confidence by learning to be confident! Read books, practice, stretch your comfort zone – this is something I guide people through in my 6-week bespoke confidence course.
Lesson Three: Remember confident people don’t ‘people-pleasing’
This is one for the people-pleasers and perfectionists in particular – you have to learn to let go of this! As I explain in my recent blog The Best Time Management Tool: Just Say No, Confident people know that it is ok to say no. That you don’t have to have all the answers right now, in the moment. That progression is more important than perfection. Actually, if you are a perfectionist, make “progress is better than perfection” your new mantra.
Confidence is about being sure in yourself, and that includes what you do and don’t know. It is not about people-pleasing. So, it is ok to say to someone “that is not something I know about at the moment so let me find out for you”. You don’t have to look perfect all the time either – if you’re trying to improve on something then making mistakes is part of it, you’ll never progress if you don’t try. The trouble is, we are often so scared to get it wrong, we don’t even try. How will you ever improve this way! Like I said earlier, confidence is learned, and you learn my practicing and just doing it!
Lesson Four: Did you know your brain is formed by input
Your brain is formed by input, negative or positive, so it is important that you input quality, positivity, and self-belief. If you supply it negative statements (“why am I always so stupid”, or “why can’t I get a lucky break”) then can you really expect a positive mindset? Or a super confident you to come from that? Remember, your brain is like a heat-seeking missile.
Nourish the brain with goodness. Through things like meditation, positive affirmations (aka positive and uplifting mantras), sleep, reading, trying new things, exercise and a sensible balanced diet*. You also need to watch out on the company you keep! Because of “mirror neurons” in the brain – the pesky neurons that help us build rapport and community with people. We subconsciously mirror their patterns, which also means we will pick up their bad vibes.
*Recently I have been taking a supplement called “mind health” from the brand Arbonne who I am an ambassador for. This contains amazing ingredients like sunflower seed-derived phosphatidylserine, a key building block for brain cells, and vitamin B12 to support neurological performance like concentration and focus. Use daily to help support brain health and cognitive performance including aspects like memory and learning. It has supportive ingredients like grape seed extract and CoQ10 to help maintain a healthy nervous system.
A lack of confidence can be very damaging, and we can lose it for many reasons and at any time in life. You might have had an accident, suffered abuse or simply be someone who has never possessed true self-belief. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to rebuild confidence.
In my exclusive article for Handicare Stairlifts, I explain the nature of confidence and give more of my top tips for becoming more confident at any age!
Are you still struggling to allocate your self “me time”? Are you a secret self-sabotger? Me too! Here are my tips for how to stop self-sabotaging today.
Habits are what gets you success. Develop the habit of allowing yourself “me time”. My blog 4 Insanely easy ways to create good habits explains four easy ways to start creating good habits.
Do You Want to Boost Your Confidence & Mindset?
I am passionate about helping busy professionals like you, especially in these two areas. Because I know so many of us are not achieving our potential and are wasting time not living the life we want. I can give you the tools you need to go out there and take whats yours – a life by design!
As a life and success coach, I know that your confidence and mindset are deciding success factors for anyone achieving their goals. The good news is, I’m here to help! Anyone can get more confidence and improve their mindset with the right guidance. You just have to learn how.
Other topics I specialise in include:
If you’re looking for a coach that is down-to-earth, supportive, and knows when to challenge and push you to help you be your best, then let’s chat.
Click the link below or feel free to drop an email to alice@alicedartnell.com
What My Clients Are Saying
“I initially signed up with Alice to help me with my time management and productivity in my business and everyday life. Alice is a fantastic coach. She is supportive, kind. I love her honest, no bullshit approach. Since working with Alice I have discovered so many new ways of doing things. She has helped me uncover the root of some of my habitual tendencies and transform them. The amount of care and support she offers is priceless. I highly recommend working with her.”
Oonagh English DipNT mNTOI – Life Coach and Nutritional Therapist
“The time management course has been a total eye opener for me – I have learned so much, implementing ideas and strategies I just never thought I had time to do! Just goes to show – if you have support by the right people in your life you can achieve anything! ”
Jacqui C – Oxfordshire, England
Did you know that your gut is your second brain? So what you eat can hugely affect your productivity, energy, and wellbeing. And I am sure you would love more of all of that!
Find out more by joining our FREE webinar in May 2022!
Join nutritionist & gut health specialist Amani Kaite and me for a FREE WEBINAR in May 2022 to learn how to improve your gut health to boost your energy and productivity!
You will learn to understand more about your gut and how to use it to increase your energy and be more productive. In this webinar you will get simple, practical, and actionable tips to achieve more while feeling good and healthy. You will also have the time to speak to the specialists (that’s us) to have all your questions answered. So don’t wait, join us on this amazing free webinar HERE!
Unfortunately, you have missed the highly successful and transformational January 2022 “Own Your Day” time management course. But you can get your free copy of the mini-training – “The Perfectionist’s Guide to Boosting Productivity and Finding Balance” HERE.
The Health, Habits & Happiness 12-Week Coaching Programme being held in February 2022 in collaboration with “gut-health queen” and nutritional therapist, Amani Kaite!
Are you ready to be your healthiest, most productive self? “Health, Habits & Happiness” is a transformational 12-week programme that will empower you to eat your way to productivity, feel more energised, and being fit & healthy in your busy life.
We created this program for overworked and overwhelmed people who want to work SMARTER not harder. The frameworks, resources and tools we teach you will help you find balance, clarity and renewed focus to accomplish your goals.
We created Health, Habits and Happiness just for you, and we know that this investment in your mental and physical wellbeing will reap benefits that will transform your life, just like it has for hundreds of other people just like you.
See what others have said!
“I saw several doctors but none could help me, so I read a lot of books and listened to podcasts, but the information was too much to deal and none of my symptoms went away. Amani helped me learn to listen to my body, explained the role nutrition plays in my health and gave me tools to take ownership of my nutrition. Now, my symptoms are almost gone, and if they appear, I know how to deal with them”. – T (Graphic Designer)
“I joined Alice’s course to challenge my mindset, improve my productivity and build healthier habits. I couldn’t believe what a positive experience this was – the content was delivered with such passion and enthusiasm, I felt invigorated and compelled to take action! I have loved every minute of it and felt supported every step of the way”. – Sarah (Business Founder)
Success Box is your revolutionary monthly membership book club combining the learning and community you expect from a book club with the empowerment and growth you gain in a group coaching environment. All through the effortlessness of a monthly subscription box. You can find out more about Success Box by clicking HERE.
Take inspired action from reading personal development books (not just reading them for the sake of it)
Accountability with others to prevent procrastination
Be introduced to new personal development books that you may not have chosen
Be confident in their worth as all books are vetted
Empowering and support with a like-minded, driven, inspiring community
Are you ready for a life-changing monthly meeting, support and community that will inspire you, challenge you and grow you, all through reading and sharing ideas?
Have you ever wondered what does it take to successfully work from home? My latest book is a hands-on guide for everyone working at home. It will show you in easy to read tips how to work from home, whilst staying productive, healthy and sane.
In informative, easy to read chapters, you will learn how to set up your own dedicated workspace, select the right office equipment and tips for video calling and conferencing. You will also learn the importance of setting and maintaining boundaries inside the home, managing distractions, avoiding procrastination and learn how to establish a routine that suits your lifestyle.
With many people working from home for the first time, this book is a practical guide to show you how to work from home, whilst staying productive, healthy and sane.
On sale for just £2.42 / $2.99! To purchase your copy click the Amazon button below!
Click below for more information!
This article is written by Alice Dartnell, life and success coach of Alice Dartnell Limited. Alice empowers busy professionals to be successful, transform their lives and achieve more by improving their confidence, mindset and time management.
For more information please see www.alicedartnell.com
Copyright © 2022 Alice Dartnell Limited
Disclaimer
This blog is published by Alice Dartnell Limited solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The author and publisher are not offering it as legal, accounting, health care or other professional services advice. While best efforts have been used in preparing this blog, the author and publisher make no representations or warranties of any kind and assume no liabilities of any kind with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be held liable or responsible to any person or entity with respect to any loss or incidental or consequential damages caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained herein. Every person and company are different, and the advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. Alice Dartnell or Alice Dartnell Limited is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised in this blog. You should seek the services of a competent professional as appropriate. You are responsible for your own choices, actions, and results. Always consult your own General Practitioner if you’re in any way concerned about your health.
