Finding Confidence in Your Career
Career

Finding confidence in your career

Last Saturday I was really excited to be going to the Lucky Things Meet Up which was all about finding confidence in your career. As I have recently made a massive change in my career and my working life, I knew that I would find this meet up really useful. And it was. I came away from the day with loads of knowledge, and hits and tips that I could apply to my career at the moment.

Career doesn’t just mean being at work in an office. You can be doing anything, you could be working from home, working part time, or be a stay-at-home mum. What’s important is that you are doing something to support your family (it doesn’t have to be financial), and you are doing this to make you and your family happy.

So whatever it is you’re doing, here are some of the top tips that I learnt from the day:

  • Take stock of your wow moments. Whether you have achieved something at work that you’re really proud of, or even baked a massive meal for the family, these are your wow moments. I used to have to a little folder in my email inbox at work, where I used to store any emails containing praise. You never know when you might need to revisit these, and they are a massive confidence boost.
  • Think about how you are going to be going forward. For me my drive is my daughter, to be able to work from home, or to work more flexibly. So my drive and passion for this blog and doing the Digital Mums course is just that.
  • What are your sources of confidence? Where do you find confidence? Does it come from what you are wearing, or by speaking to a certain person. Sometimes I find just listening to my favourite music on the train makes me feel confident and feel better about myself.
  • What is the worst that can happen. I used to think this an awful lot when I worked in advertising, and would often think that we’re not saving lives. If I had a scary meeting or presentation then I would think what is the worst that can happen, and it would always end up better than I thought.
  • Arm yourself with knowledge. Know everything that you possibly can. This will make it easier to have conversations with people, and to answer any difficult questions. It will also demonstrate that you know what you’re talking about.
  • Remove the word “just” from conversation and writing. I am really guilty about using this word to describe what I do now. For example I will say “I’m just a blogger” or “I’m just a stay at home Mum”. Take the word “just” out of the sentence, and be proud of what you do as you’re probably working your arse off. The same applies to emails that start with “Just wondering…..”, it’s almost that you’re apologising before you began.
  • If you have an idea or want to do something, then start talking to people about it. Having initial conversations can spark ideas and set a ball rolling. You might also find someone to work with, or to collaborate with, or someone to be your accountability buddy.
  • Just do it. A motto that I’ve lived by certainly over the last two years. I think since having my daughter I’ve become a little braver, and not caring as much about what people think. From setting up my blog, to leaving my job, to signing up to Digital Mums, my motto was “just do it”, although some took more consideration than others.

Thank you Sunita from Lucky Things, Lisa from The Wentworth Collective, and Antonia from Tinker Tailor Online for sharing those hints and tips with us. I’ve learnt that you don’t necessarily have to be working to start to act on these, they can be applied to whatever you’re doing.  I now need to start applying some of those tips to my part-time/stay at home working life, and hope that it helps to make the next six months a success.

I had a brilliant afternoon at the Lucky Things meet-up, it was so nice to catch up with everyone, eat some good food, drink wine, and make some new friends too. I’m already looking forward to the next one in October.

Claire x

19 Comments

  • justsayingmum

    Oh love the inclusion of wow moments! Yes! And the removal of just – that is so so important as it feels negative as you say it. We should take far more ownership of what we do in life and be proud of it! I’m so sad I missed the talk but thrilled that you’ve written such a comprehensive round-up! #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Samsam Said

    The idea of saving the nice emails a side is great, I also had a major change in my life transitioning from a SAHM to a working mum. Glad you had a fab time at the meet up #fortheloveofBlog

  • Alex

    I totally aggree on the talking to people bit – networking in its many forms has always boded well for me in my life, it can open so many doors! Bou I like your ‘box of praise’ idea, or just a collection of moments that you can draw on when you’re feeling a bit meh! Great idea! #fortheloveofBLOG

  • The Mummy Bubble

    Great insight into the meet up. These are brilliant tips too. I think the wow moments on is a really good confidence booster which can impact on so many other things!

  • Charlotte Stein

    Really good tips! The ‘just’ I have defibetly been guilty of and you’re right I shouldn’t feel the need to add in! Also love the ‘wow’ moment and that could be put into practice for myself and the kids, thank you! #fortheloveofblog

  • Kelly

    Such great tips. I’m awful for ‘just’ doing things. Other than ‘just’ doing it! Thank you for another week of #fortheloveofBLOG x

  • Mrs Mummy Harris

    I have problems with removing the word “just” from my sentences and I think its down to my lack of confidence and not being sure of my worth. That aside, I have set up a weekly guest series that is in its seventh month AND launched a linky that is in its 19th week. I can confirm that acting on your ideas works and with the right ideas, a success can be achieved! #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Wendy

    Oh I say I’m ‘just’ a stay at home mum all the time and I hate myself for it. These are some fabulous tips that I’ll be applying to my life from now on xx #fortheloveofblog

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