How to Build Your Confidence Through Self Awareness

By Mary Sarah Nassali

Building your confidence is not a day’s job; it takes a lot of practice and discipline to get to a point where you can say you are confident.

 It is not enough to be highly skilled or knowledgeable in your area of specialization; it is also important that you are confident in yourself.

 Self-confidence is the extra touch needed to make an outstanding presentation or speech, and it gives you an edge over others that are just as good as you.

 Think of this; you are well-read, very intelligent, and confidently deliver tasks. You’re definitely on your way to the top, and nothing can stop you. Read through to gain knowledge on how to build your confidence through self-awareness.

Being Self Aware

It is impossible to talk about self-confidence without making mention of self-awareness. They both go hand in hand, and one cannot go without the other.

To be self-aware means that one has come to a consciousness of who they are and what they represent. Simply put, it is the act of knowing one’s self.

 Self-awareness helps you take note of your strengths and weaknesses, thus helping you build on your strengths and work on your weak points.

 Self-awareness is important in every aspect of one’s life as it ensures continuous growth and development.

 To be self-aware, one simply has to observe and note all they do. Your words, gestures, reactions, and countenance must be observed in various circumstances.

 At first, it may not be the easiest thing to do as we are not naturally wired to be conscious of our actions. However, with continuous practice and effort, you can do this effectively. Take note of your reaction to certain situations, and you get to know who you are.

 A proper evaluation of your observation will help you know your strengths and build confidence. It will also help you take note of your weaknesses and help you strive to be better.

 Why You Should Be Self Aware

There are many reasons why you should be self-aware, and some of them are:

Confidence

This is the most obvious and most notable reason you should be self-aware. Knowing yourself and your abilities helps you build confidence in yourself.

 It is the greatest form of assurance that one can get in any situation (the knowledge that you can surmount such a challenge)

Emotional Intelligence

Another benefit of being self-aware is that it helps improve one’s emotional quotient (EQ). Knowing who you are will help you know how to speak and react in certain circumstances.

 Someone who knows they easily get irked by people making jokes of them will be wise enough not to react. They would rather keep quiet or laugh.

Informs Growth

People who are self-aware tend to make the best business decisions. They do things without sentiment or emotional attachment.

 With a constant drive to be better, they tend to make decisions that will favor them and their business in the long run.

Conclusion

Self-awareness is a great trait required in every aspect of life and critical for every leader, it essentially makes life better for anyone who chooses to adopt it. So take a step in the right direction, get proper knowledge of yourself and consequently boost your confidence level. The world is yours for the taking! 

Mary Sarah Nassali is Strategy & Performance Director at Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, Central Region