How to put yourself out there with confidence

When you put yourself, your ideas or your skills out there for others to observe and judge, it can be terrifying. They’re no longer just your thoughts and ideas, but a part of you that you’ve made public instead.

For some people, the fear of criticism or rejection is one thing that prevents people from having the confidence to “put themselves out there”. As a result, many great ideas and opinions never get seen.

So, if you have a blog, a dream, an idea, an interview, an opinion or a talent that you’re keeping hidden due to your fear of failure or success, read these tips to help you have the confidence to step out into the spotlight.

1. Remember your self-worth

Everybody's opinion and perspective is worth expressing. Even if your view flies in the face of what others think, your ideas are still valid and deserve to be heard.

2. Forget the excuses

We can all come up with reasons why we shouldn’t do something: I’m too old, it’s been done before, what if they hate it, and so on. You should try to distinguish between a real obstacle that needs addressing and a reason you're using to avoid taking a manageable risk.

3. Trust yourself

If you feel you can do that job, have something worthwhile to say in your writing, or are ready to promote your business, don’t let self-doubt automatically stop you.

Trust your own knowledge and experience, while staying open to constructive feedback and practical considerations. You know yourself well, but listening to useful advice can also help you make a more informed decision.

Confidence doesn’t mean knowing for certain that you’ll succeed. Sometimes it means trusting yourself enough to take the next step, learn from the experience and adjust as you go.

4. Don’t be a perfectionist

If you wait until your idea, or you yourself, are perfect, then you’ll be waiting a very long time. Needing to be perfect can be a way of procrastinating and putting off action. Good enough is good enough; there is no perfect.

5. Let go

You need to let go of the need for others to validate your work, the need to prove yourself to others, or the need to be seen as successful in order to have the confidence to take the step you are waiting for.

Then you are “putting yourself out there” to express yourself and for your own satisfaction. I can’t think of a better reason than that. Confidence can develop through taking manageable steps, rather than waiting until you feel completely ready. Start with one thing you've been holding back and consider what small action would make it slightly more visible.

If fear of criticism, rejection or failure repeatedly prevents you from pursuing opportunities, a confidence coach can help you explore what's holding you back, challenge assumptions and identify manageable steps towards becoming more visible.