6 Tips for Business Owners and Leaders to Feel and Act More Confident
- Published:
- Updated: April 29, 2024
As a life coach for business owners, I hate to break it to you, but having low self-esteem is not an option. Every day, people are looking to you for solutions, inspiration, and hope. And sometimes, it’s not easy to maintain that confidence. Life can get stressful, and we can become overwhelmed.
In this article, we will discuss six tips for leaders and business owners like yourself to feel powerful and more confident.
Tip #1: Own your strength and capability to grow
There is a reason why you wanted to be an entrepreneur. You desired to step out and do something different with your life. You aimed to show everyone that despite the risks of starting a business, you were all in. That took a lot of courage and bravery on your part. You are a leader.
Leaders and entrepreneurs like yourself must own that positive energy to boost confidence. So what if it comes off as a little strange at times? Remember, leaders never apologize for their intense energy.
And leaders like you are needed now more than ever.
Of course, it's visionary! If it were easy, then everyone else would have done it by now.
Case study of weirdness: Elon Musk
Elon Musk is famous for his big ideas about the future and his unique way of leading. People say he’s a bit strange, brave, and sometimes causes controversy. But his readiness to take big risks and chase daring dreams has made both Tesla and SpaceX very successful.
One example of Musk’s unusual leadership is how he changed the car industry. While other car companies were mostly focused on gasoline-powered cars, Musk decided to shake things up by betting on electric vehicles (EVs). Even though many experts and money people didn’t think it would work, Musk went ahead and made the Tesla Roadster, a fast electric sports car. It turned out to be a smart move because Tesla became the top EV maker, completely changing how cars are made and used.
Musk’s leadership at SpaceX is also pretty different. Instead of following the usual way of exploring space with government money, Musk started SpaceX to make space travel easier and cheaper. He put his own money into the company and came up with new ideas for building rockets.
Even though there were lots of problems along the way, like rockets not working right, Musk kept going. And now, SpaceX is one of the main companies in the business of space travel. They have deals with NASA and others to send satellites into space and supply the International Space Station.
Elon Musk’s leadership style is not like most others. He has big dreams, takes risks, and never stops trying new things. He’s shown that having a bold vision and being willing to take chances can make a big difference in industries like cars and space travel.
Tip #2: Wear Things That Make You Feel Like a Winner
Working from home, there are days when I’m tempted to stay in sweatpants all day. But let me tell you, that’s not the best idea for me, for several reasons. When I wear clothes that are too casual, I don’t feel or act like the powerhouse that I am.
I feel my best when I wear my wedding rings and something that boosts my confidence. Usually, it’s earrings, a flattering top, and a touch of perfume.
I once coached a client who was getting headshots done. She planned to wear a boring black suit under her lab coat because that’s what all the other doctors did. But when her pictures came out, she looked just as bland as everyone else. How can you stand out if you’re afraid of looking different?
It’s time to change the idea of what a business owner looks like. Being confident means being confident in how we present ourselves.
Action plan to dress to impress yourself and your ideal client:
Step one: Learn how to represent yourself through your clothing. Check out this episode with myself and Nicole Otchy on wardrobe marketing for more tips.
Step two: Take time in the morning to choose clothing and jewelry that make you feel confident. Trust me, it will make a world of difference, especially on days when you don’t feel as confident. Here are some things to think about:
- Do you know what makes you feel like a winner?
- Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry or maybe you enjoy showing off your tattoos?
- Want to style your afro or mohawk a bit differently?
Tip #3 - Remind yourself of the ways you've conquered challenges
I don’t know about you, but when things aren’t going well, I find it hard to remember how I’ve overcome challenges in the past. And if we aren’t careful, staying upset and discouraged can easily transform into depression or anger.
That’s why I highly recommend keeping a business journal. Business journaling isn’t just about reminding yourself of your mistakes but also your accomplishments.
As a businessperson, you have to be your own personal cheerleader. You have to remind yourself that you are more than capable of achieving big things in your business.
Do you have a business journal? If not, what’s stopping you from recording your accomplishments? Just start one today.
Personally, I rely on my journal. Every week, I look back at it and remind myself of the great things I’ve achieved. This review process reminds me that I’m in business not just to make money but, more importantly, to make a difference in each of my clients’ lives. And when I know I’m helping others, I feel more confident.
Next, let’s discuss how your attitude impacts your confidence.
Tip #4 - Push Away Negative Attitudes and People
When I reflect on my past, I realize I used to have a pretty negative mindset. I tended to see the world through a pessimistic lens and surrounded myself with like-minded individuals who shared that outlook. Needless to say, this approach didn’t lead to much success.
As a business owner, I’ve come to understand the power of positivity and its impact on my business. Leaders like us have the ability to inspire and uplift others, fostering hope, courage, and inspiration. Conversely, negativity only brings about sadness, fear, and worry. So, I made a conscious decision to distance myself from people, activities, and behaviors that fueled negative emotions.
Negative attitudes hinder progress
Let me illustrate this with an example. Imagine you’re trying to launch a new product, but every time you discuss it with a particular colleague, they shoot down your ideas and highlight all the potential pitfalls. Being around them brings you down and makes you doubt yourself. In such situations, it’s important to recognize that their negativity is hindering your progress. It’s perfectly acceptable to politely distance yourself from them and seek support from those who believe in your vision.
As business owners, it’s imperative that we cultivate a positive environment conducive to growth and confidence. So, don’t hesitate to push away negativity and surround yourself with positivity instead.
Simplicity means concentrating on the tasks that are most important to you and your business. In other words, get rid of the unnecessary stuff. Start by removing the extra things (and maybe even people) that you don't really need to worry about.
Tip #5 – Keep Things Simple
With everything happening in the world, it’s really tempting to get caught up in negative news.
Politicians, celebrities, and global events often distract us from what truly matters to us. Personally, I don’t think any of us were meant to save the world – we can only handle so much. And I bet you weren’t meant to be a superhero either.
Taking on more than you can handle is a recipe for a mental breakdown. So, my advice is simple: focus only on what matters most to you. This should be part of your overall wellness plan.
And what is simplicity exactly?
Simplicity means concentrating on the tasks that are most important to you and your business. In other words, get rid of the unnecessary stuff. Start by removing the extra things (and maybe even people) that you don’t really need to worry about.
I remember one client of mine who wanted to get involved in multiple charities she supported. But when we looked at all the tasks she needed to do, it seemed impossible to be actively involved in all of them. The best she could manage was to help one organization, but only in a limited way.
Here are some questions to help you simplify your life:
- What things do you need to simplify?
- What things can you get rid of?
- Where are your activities doing more harm than good?
Be honest with yourself and try to remove or reduce the things that don’t require much of your time. Next, let’s talk about how to improve how your mind and body works. If you can’t feel strong physically and mentally – it is impossible to feel confident in other areas your life.
Tip #6 - Exercise your mind and body
Exercise is super important for many reasons. Not only does it help you feel more confident because you’re healthier and stronger, but it also boosts your self-esteem. People with fitter and stronger bodies usually have a positive outlook not just on their personal life but also on their professional life.
Make it your goal to do some kind of cardio exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. And don’t forget about strength training exercises at least two to three times a week. Check out this site for a list of fun exercise ideas.
Remember: A healthy body needs a healthy mind, so keep staying active.
Don’t neglect your mental health!
Improving the health of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. When you exercise regularly and challenge your mind with new activities, you’ll notice improvements in your focus, creativity, and overall well-being.
Here’s a helpful tip: Try setting aside some time each day to do something that challenges your mind, like solving puzzles, learning a new skill, or reading a book. These activities can help keep your brain sharp and improve your mental well-being.
You can find my top confidence boosting tips in the image below. Next, I’ll share my final thoughts.
Final Thoughts
Dig deeper: Need more confidence advice? Click to listen to this episode from my entrepreneur podcast or press the play button below.
