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It’s natural to feel a little nervous when taking on an unfamiliar task, but doubting yourself can seriously hinder your career growth. Whether you’re taking on a project that’s completely outside your comfort zone or starting a new job, fearlessly face new challenges head-on with these tips.
View the Challenge Positively
You’ll never wake up one day to find you’ve magically acquired a new skill. You need to push the envelope in order to develop, so rather than being stressed or fearful of a new challenge, accept it as an opportunity to grow and improve your skillset.
Talk the Talk
When speaking with your boss, colleague or client, speak with confidence even if you aren’t feeling it. Whether you’re communicating face to face or by email, take some time to plan what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it. Speak confidently for long enough, and you’ll actually begin to feel confident!
Ask the Question
Many people are afraid to ask questions for fear of seeming incompetent, but it’s far better to ask than to have no idea what you’re doing. If there’s anything you’re not clear about, ask your colleague, manager, or whoever else can help you to clarify the points of the task that you don’t understand.
Do Your Homework
Research everything you can before you start so you can tackle the challenge with an idea of what to expect and take lots of notes. If possible, study previous projects or examples of what the boss is looking for.
With each obstacle you overcome, you become better equipped to handle the next one.
Take it One Step at a Time
Looking at the entirety of what is expected of you may seem overwhelming. To combat this, break down the requirements and expectations and simply focus on one thing at a time.
For example, if you have a big project that’s due in a week, outline each step needed to complete the task and assign a timeline for the completion of each step.
Prepare for Setbacks
No one is perfect and you may make mistakes. The most important thing is to own up to your mistakes and learn from them. Some setbacks may not even be within your control. Accept these with detachment and focus on how to resolve them without getting emotional about it. If there are bumps in the road that are stressing you out, give yourself a five minute time-out from whatever you’re doing. Use this time to regain perspective, then get back in the thick of things and continue to do your best.
Grow with Each Win
The great thing about overcoming new challenges is that it has an accumulative effect on your overall confidence. With each obstacle you overcome, you become better equipped to handle the next one. Before long, you’ll be actively looking for the next mountain to conquer!
Corrie Alexander is a writer from Burlington Ontario. She enjoys writing about health-related topics such as work-life balance, running and yoga.
What are some of your tactics for taking on challenges at work? We’d like to hear from you! Leave your comments in the section below.