Boosting self-confidence is one of the most common personal goals shared by my private coaching clients. Believe it or not, most professional women don't have very high self confidence — even when they appear as if they do. Most women are caught in an ongoing wrestling match with their inner critic. You are probably familiar with your own inner critic — that nagging voice that tells you you're not good enough, smart enough, strong enough, etc.

When I first started coaching women one-on-one, I was hit full force with the universality of the inner critic. I was struck by the strangle hold it has on just about everyone. I, of course, was well acquainted with my own inner critic, but never dreamed that everyone else's was just as loud and menacing.

Everyone Has an Inner Critic

On the one hand, this was a relief to me personally because I now had proof that even the most seemingly together, smart and accomplished individuals shared similar fears. However, I was dismayed by the enormous amount of negative self-talk women allow to invade their inner life.

In response to this phenomenon, I have made it part of my mission to educate women that the inner critic is universal — it lives in each of us. And for some, it can be relentlessly persistent.

Here is what I know to be true:

1. Everyone feels inadequate at least some of the time
2. Everyone is afraid at least some of the time

Have you ever realized that someone you thought was supremely confident actually had self-doubts? I had this experience when I
saw an interview with the award-winning actress Meryl Streep. She said that when she is about to embark on a new movie shoot, she often has strong feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. She said thoughts swirl around her head such as, "I'm not a good actress" and "What am I doing? I'll never be able to pull this off."

I was shocked when I heard this. Meryl Streep is considered by many to be the greatest film actress alive today. She has played the leading role in some of the best movies ever made.

To Become Confident, Act Confident

treep shared her strategy for overcoming self-doubt: "Fake it till you make it." In other words, feel the fear and do it anyway. She said she shows up at the film set and gives it her all. She does not let her self-doubt and inner critic paralyze her. She walks into the fear, which subsequently allows her to walk through the fear and do her best work.

The most effective way to project confidence is to act as if you are confident. Even if you're not feeling confident, it is okay to act as if you're brimming with confidence. Trust me, this is the strategy used by most people you encounter throughout a typical work day. The majority of people are insecure individuals acting as if they are secure. They are just stepping into their fear.

Stop fueling your inner critic with self-made poison. Start encouraging and energizing yourself with positive self-talk and boost your own self-confidence.

If it works for Meryl Streep, it can work for you, too!

About the Author

Maret McCoy is an experienced executive coach who helps professional women find, develop and manage their ideal careers and obtain the recognition and rewards they deserve. She is the author of Discover Your Authentic Career Fit, a comprehensive career planning guide. Visit Maret's website at www.MaretMcCoy.com.

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