It’s that little secret that nobody likes to talk about and yet we all do it to ourselves.

We sabotage our own confidence.

I had a conversation recently with an amazingly intelligent, capable, and compassionate woman who was preparing for an interview. Not just any interview but an interview for a position that she had always dreamed of having. Yet getting in the way of all her greatness was that little voice inside her head doing everything it could to sabotage her confidence.

We all have that little saboteur.

Our brains are programmed to keep us comfortable and safe where we are. It is a survival mechanism that unfortunately gets in the way of greatness. When we are about to step out and grab what we have always wanted that voice can get loud and critical. It dampens the radiant, brilliance of who we are capable of being and keeps us small and full of self-doubt.

What can you do to overcome this primitive protector?

• Notice that the voice has shown up (as expected).
• Recognize it for what it is: the voice that has your best interest at heart, the one that motivates you to do better.
• Place your hand on your heart and breathe consciously.
• Rather than trying to silence the voice, soothe it. Let it know everything will be OK. Let it know how much you want to do well and how well you have prepared.
• Remind it of your previous accomplishments and of what you are capable of accomplishing this time.
• Remember an interview is not a life and death situation (though your brain wants you to believe it is).

Before you go to that interview, step on that stage, go to that meeting, have that uncomfortable conversation (or whatever it may be for you):

1. Talk to someone who will remind you how awesome and capable you are.

1. Listen to music that raises your spirits. Listen to it loudly, sing out loudly and dance.

1. Think of a situation, a person, or a word that makes you laugh (or at least smile).

1. Stand in your greatness. Make your body big. Stand tall, feet shoulder length apart, arms stretched overhead in a V, heart forward, lengthen your neck opening your throat.
2. Imagine pulling down the energy of the sun and pulling up the energy of the earth into your body. Let those energies mix in your throat, your heart, your solar plexus, your belly or wherever feels right to you. If you don’t have privacy just do the same thing with your hands on your hips nobody will be the wiser.

You are amazing. You are capable. You are unique and you are so needed in this world. Now go out and shine your brilliance wherever it is most needed.

Alison