Bet On Yourself

How many times have you second-guessed your abilities, downplayed your efforts, or not taken risks to move your career forward? When the stakes are high and you are not sure who’s got your back, you have to bet on yourself to win.

I could not believe my ears as I sat next to a team member who questioned whether or not she should vote for our team’s idea. That question would never have crossed my mind. It was not a matter of whether the idea was not good enough, but rather that this professional did not feel comfortable promoting herself, and as a result, our team. I bet on myself. If not me, then who?

Being curious, I asked this professional, “if you did not vote for your idea, who will?” This person sat there like a deer in headlights. Her natural default was to let the masses decide her fate. People can sense your level of commitment to your business, career, or actions that you take. Your passion and energy speak volumes. As a result of that level of commitment, people are more likely to invest their time and energy to lend support.

How many of us decide not to apply for a promotion, new job, or go for that dream job? Some would rather sit on the sidelines, without taking any risks. If you are not invested in yourself, are you willing to speak out, share ideas, insights, opinion, or opposition? Are you willing to take the risks necessary to move your career to the next level?

At the end of the session, all questions posted were ranked. Our team’s question ranked number one of all the questions posted. Not only did I bet on myself, but other teams did as well. As my doubtful teammate viewed the results on the larger screen, she was in disbelief. I never asked her whether she voted for our team. However, at the end of the session, she leaned over to me and whispered in my ear, “I will never doubt my ideas and will bet on them from now on, regardless.”

Here are 3 tips to enable you to learn to bet on yourself:

1. Do not see the glass as half empty.

If you constantly focus on the negative aspects of yourself, you are actively training your brain to reject the beautiful qualities that you bring to the table. Accept them and praise them. Accentuate the positive.

2. Acknowledge the little things. Little actions and tasks accomplished add up to your larger goals. However, if you do not acknowledge yourself for the small things, even when you do not accomplish the larger ones, you may not appreciate your time, effort, and energy invested in the process. Give yourself small rewards to maintain your motivation.

3. Track your accomplishments.

Create a list of all your accomplishments and continually update it. This is an active reminder of your worth. Share your accomplishments with the world.