According to Bonnie Low Kramen, a workplace and leadership expert, confidence is the most critical soft skill differentiator.

My friends in The Pinnacle Society shared Bonnie's article on confidence breeds success. I know that when we believe in ourselves, we are bolder in chasing big dreams and pushing through tough spots, but there is also a sweet spot; being confident is great, but being overconfident can always backfire. Truly believing in us is critical, but it must be mixed with a dose of reality to set the stage for some epic wins. This is the link to the article:

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/28/the-no-1-trait-you-need-to-be-more-successful-than-most-says-workplace-expert-its-the-single-most-important-differentiator.html

My two cents on this article: Confidence is a great soft skill as part of a conscious effort to be an expert in using emotional intelligence. But I also know that confidence is not built "magically"; it is built over consciously developing a robust self-esteem structure.

This is what I do to help boost my self-esteem while avoiding to cross the over-confidence line:

1.- I am a visual person. Therefore, I visualize Success. I picture myself succeeding or achieving my goals, but I always make sure that those goals are created to be as efficient, productive, and linked to my Purpose, Vision, Mission, and Objectives in life as they can be. Make these positive visualizations to boost my confidence, but always ensure they are supported by an up-to-date Life Plan connected to my Career and Business Plan.

2.- I make a conscious effort to do positive Self-Talk. I am replacing all critical or negative thoughts about myself with constructive and positive affirmations to rewire my brain to view myself more positively.

3.- I set realistic expectations. I accept and embrace my flaws and limiting beliefs and work on them while celebrating my talents and strengths.

4.- I always celebrate all my achievements: Big, medium, and trim. Acknowledging even small wins helps me to build confidence.

5.- I try my best not to compare myself to others just for the sake of it. I benchmark and study the best executives and professionals in my business on what they do best and consciously try to learn from them as much as possible. Still, I focus on my personal growth instead of measuring myself against others.

6.- I am working on mastering self-compassion. I am focusing on treating myself with the same kindness and understanding as I would to my children or any close friend.

7.- I stay active and do regular physical activity. I enjoy dancing. Dancing keeps me happy.

8.- Several coaches, mentors, and friends provide constant constructive and intelligent feedback. I actively seek their input and use it for growth and improvement.

9.-I surround myself with Positive People. Being around supportive and positive individuals uplifts my self-esteem.

10. I am exploring mindfulness and meditation. These practices can help one stay grounded and connected with oneself, boosting self-awareness without inflating the ego.

11.- I practice gratitude daily to focus on finding value in my person instead of trying to deal with what I have (possessions).

12. I am a big believer in continuous learning. I always embrace new learning opportunities because acquiring new skills or knowledge boosts my confidence.

13.- I am constantly challenging my limiting beliefs. I have made a conscious effort to step out of my comfort zone to try to realize and harness my potential.

14.- I look for therapy or counseling whenever I feel stuck. Some great professionals provide tools and techniques tailored to our personal needs to help improve our self-esteem and confidence.

In summary, my key goal in my career plan is to build my self-esteem in a balanced way that allows me to be confident in my abilities without becoming overly arrogant or disregarding the feelings and perceptions of others. What is your strategy to boost your confidence without crossing the overconfidence line?