On Youth Skills Day, discover the challenges in your journey towards adulthood, and explore these simple strategies to overcome them.
Isn’t it ironic that research suggests our frontal brain, the control center for decision-making and confidence, fully develops at the average age of 25, yet we’re supposed to choose our life careers and jump into work directly after high school at 18? Kind of feels like receiving a treasure map when you don’t even know your North from South!
I know, I’ve been there. This World Youth Skills Day is all about you, the young pioneers of tomorrow! Today’s blog will be your guide to unearthing the hidden treasure within yourself: confidence and assertiveness.
The Challenges Ahead.
As you set sail on your professional journey, remember that every treasure hunter faces obstacles. It’s natural to feel unsure when stepping into uncharted waters. As young leaders are thrown into the world of business and negotiations, empowerment and self-worth can be challenged with:
- Discovering the Self-fulfilling Prophecy for Success (or Failure?)
As you get ready to sail through the turbulent seas of adulthood, you’re bestowed with the “Self-fulfilling Prophecy.” Don’t worry, it sounds more complicated than it is! This simply means that your beliefs about yourself can influence your actions and become reality. Thinking you’re incompetent, for example, may hinder you from taking up challenges and opportunities. On the other hand, believing in yourself gives you the confidence to try new things and learn from past mistakes, increasing your chances of success.
- Don’t Get Lost in Comparison Island
Naturally, we may compare ourselves to other people, especially those in similar positions. It helps us fit in and analyze the appropriate trajectory for our behavior or speech. However, engaging in upward social comparison, where young leaders compare themselves to more experienced ones, can lead to feelings of inadequacy.
- Beware of the Imposter Syndrome
Have you ever worked hard to be in a certain position, only to start wondering, “I don’t deserve to be here.” As harsh as that sounds, sometimes our inner critics can be difficult to silence, creating feelings of self-doubt and imposterism. Imposter syndrome is when individuals doubt their accomplishments and feel like a “fraud.” Such heavy emotions can plague any person of any age, even younger individuals who navigate the adult landscape. They may be hired for internship positions, receive recognition for excellent performance or even get accepted into a competitive program, only to be hit with a wave of self-doubt. They might wonder, “Did I just get lucky? Do I really belong here?”
- Charting Your Course with Attribution Theory
Entering the business world can be tricky. Sometimes, young adults might blame external factors for failures (like a bad presentation on a faulty projector) instead of learning from them. On the other hand, they might take full responsibility and blame for any misstep, overlooking important situational factors. This bias in our locus of control can prove to be detrimental, as it prevents young leaders from fostering a growth mindset and empowering attitudes.
Marking The Treasure.
Confidence: Your Inner Northern Star
Confidence is the guiding light towards fostering self-esteem and inner worth. Research on confidence shows that it is tightly related to one’s belief in their own abilities to succeed- a notion called self-efficacy. It’s not about being arrogant, but about having a healthy self-assurance that allows you to take risks and explore your full potential.
Assertiveness: The Wind In Your Sails
Assertiveness is about communicating your needs, opinions, and boundaries clearly and respectfully. It’s not about being aggressive or demanding, but about advocating for yourself in a way that honors both your needs and the needs of others.
The question remains: What steps can you take to unlock these important tools of confidence and assertiveness?
Embark on Mini-Missions: Joining the adult world might feel overwhelming with the endless challenges and opportunities to explore. Don’t feel pressured to jump into staggering positions or projects! Start small and begin by participating in low-pressure situations, like offering your opinion in a small group discussion. As you get more comfortable speaking up, you’ll naturally build the confidence to tackle bigger challenges.
Craft Your Personal Positive Mantra: Remember that harsh inner critic we talked about earlier? Well, it’s time to transform that voice into your own personal cheerleader! Replace your negative thoughts with positive self-talk that foster self-competence. Simple statements, such as I’m nervous, but that’s okay, can go a long way in normalizing challenges while nurturing compassion towards the self.
Assemble Your Confidence Crew: The people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on your confidence. Find individuals that you feel comfortable exploring new experiences with, who support you through challenges and celebrate your accomplishments. Moreover, finding a trustworthy mentor allows you to draw from their expertise and receive the guidance you need to nurture your skills and self-worth. Remember, even the most skilled pirates need a loyal crew to navigate the rough seas.
Set Your Boundaries: New experiences might be either met with excitement or discomfort. Either way, as young leaders, this might accidentally push you into the trap of being a “Yes” person. No matter what situation you are placed in, being authentic and true to yourself is essential to cultivate self-worth. Be comfortable saying “no” to requests that don’t align with your goals or values. Communicate your boundaries clearly and respectfully, using “I” statements to further reinforce your own personal presence.
Focus on Progress: Within the tidal waves of self-doubt, all we might see are moments of failure and disappointment. The sea will seem vast, with no anchor to prevent us from getting lost. Just remember, there is peace within focusing on progress, not perfection. Resilience is accepting that we cannot be good enough all the time, and that’s completely fine. Allowing ourselves to learn from our mistakes and celebrating our achievements, no matter how small, can help strengthen our hope and push us towards new challenges.
Mission Accomplished!
While all these tips and tricks may work to foster your confidence as young voyagers, the most important thing is to remember that the true essence of self-worth lies in unbinding yourself from people’s validation, and seeking your own internal acceptance. New experiences are bound to be uncomfortable, both in good and bad ways. However, persevering through this discomfort is crucial while you rely on your internal reservoir of self-love and compassion. With a kind heart, don’t forget,
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
– Theodore Roosevelt