I want to always be that encouraging, confidence-boosting friend that is cheering you on and helping you believe in your dreams. I’ve told y’all before that I’m definitely a dreamer and an optimist. I believe nothing is impossible, and that you can achieve anything you put prayer and hard work toward. I believe you can do anything with your life and your career, so I don’t want you to ever limit yourself or say you aren’t smart enough, attractive enough, or wealthy enough for what you feel called to do.
Today, I want to share some practical mindset tips and habits that I’ve learned over the last couple of years that have helped to boost my confidence about achieving my goals. These tips can also help with that feeling of imposter syndrome, that gut-feeling of inadequacy which we all feel at some point or another.
First, I started referring to myself as an author and a blogger. Last fall, when I had already finished writing my book, sent it to my publisher, and signed the confirmation document, I still had a hard time calling myself an author. I felt like I didn’t deserve that name, or that it was too professional of a title for me. So when someone would ask, “What do you do for a job?” or “What are your career plans for after school?” I would respond with something like, “Well, I want to be an author,” or, “I’m trying to be an influencer and blogger.”
I’d say that when, in reality, I already had earned and achieved those titles. I’d already written a book, and I’d been blogging for almost two years.
So, simply changing my wording and saying to people, “I’m an author,” or, “I’m a blogger,” was a way to boost my confidence and feel like I was accepting my own hard work and dedication.
Are your habits aligning with your goals? For example, if you keep complaining about not having enough time for the things you want to do, for your side hustle, but you are waking up late and aren’t planning or time blocking your day, your habits aren’t exactly lining up with your goals. You have to prioritize the small things you do every day, setting little goals and habits for yourself, because those things will eventually lead you to the bigger, harder to achieve goals.
Lately, I’ve been prioritizing reading fiction every day, because I know I simply can’t be an author (or at least, not a good one) if I’m not filling my mind with other people’s writing and learning from them.
Lastly, you’ve got to start praying specifically for the things you want to achieve and setting realistic yet ambitious timelines. Tell God about your goals daily, and ask that He’ll help guide you in accomplishing them. Then give yourself timelines that are realistic, but that will force you to work quickly and consistently.
When I published my first book, I told myself I wanted to have the sequel published one year later. Since I already had it drafted, this was a realistic timeline, but I knew I would have to work hard for twelve months to get everything done.
Because of COVID, I had so many more hours to dedicate to getting that book ready for publishing (a blessing in disguise) so now my book is scheduled to launch fall 2020.
How do you invest in growing in confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome? I would love to know!
Love,
Gabriella
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