Coaching Information

Self-contentment Leads to Confidence


Being self-content means accepting and acknowledging who you are at your core and becoming satisfied -- maybe not perfect, but satisfied -- in all areas of your life. When you learn to better understand, better appreciate and eventually love yourself, you exude a quiet confidence that will open doors to what you want in life.

One way to develop a strong sense of self-contentment is to give yourself the gift of self-appreciation. Offer yourself the same respect and kindness you give to others you care deeply for. In doing so, you will feel more at peace with yourself, be strong in your convictions and easily stand up for yourself. Here are three ways to support you in becoming more confident.

1. Silence Your Inner Critic
Many women have a tendency to focus on what is "wrong" about themselves rather than what is "right." We tend to pick out and pick on the parts of ourselves we like the least. This disapproving inner critic (that little voice inside our head that points our faults and undermines our achievements) needs to be silenced. Instead of focusing on what you don't like about yourself, do your best to acknowledge and appreciate what makes you unique. Your smile. Your sense of humor. Your eyes. Now go further. What qualities define you as a person? Resist the temptation to criticize yourself. This is a learned behavior and it can be unlearned with intentional action.

2. Surround Yourself with Positive Environments
In order to remain confident or regain confidence, you have to ensure that you surround yourself with positive environments - emotionally and physically. This means cultivating friendships that enrich your life. A well-meaning friend that consistently points out your faults may be undermining your sense of self. Seek out people who care about you and can list all your lovely qualities instead. Fill your personal space with objects that inspire you, such as pictures of loved ones, keepsakes and favorite books.

3. Acknowledge Your Achievements
Like most women, you may have been brought up not to be boastful. However, there is a distinction between bragging and not recognizing your accomplishments and contributions. We have all achieved things in our lives, both big and small, personally and professionally. But oftentimes, we cross that achievement off our "to-do" list and quickly move to the next item, with little or no celebration. When you give yourself permission to feel positive about your accomplishments and refuse to listen to your inner critic, you will feel pleased within yourself. You will proudly share your wins, rather than apologize for them. You might even amaze yourself when triumphal works such as "I am one awesome lawyer," "I am the best mother ever," or "I rock" roll off your tongue with hardly at thought.

Watch out universe, here you come!

Lisa Martin, PCC (Professional Certified Coach), is the author of Briefcase Moms: 10 Proven Practices to Balance Working Mothers' Lives. She lives what she writes and talks about. A working mother with 20 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience, she is the founder and president of Briefcase Moms, an international coaching and personal development company with a mission to "make it easier for you to live a balanced and successful life." She helps female professionals, executives and entrepreneurs have an amazing career, family and life. Subscribe to her free newsletter at: http://www.briefcasemoms.com


MORE RESOURCES:

USA TODAY (blog)

Coaches Agree; It's a Tough One
New York Times
You are coaching the team that is on offense and is trailing, 17-15. Both teams have one timeout left. What do you instruct your players to do? DAN REEVES Former coach of the Giants, the Broncos and the Falcons “No question, I would use the clock and ...
Patriots players, coach, fans ask 'what if?'Worcester Telegram
Manning, Coughlin hitting stride as Giants' coach-quarterback tandemThe Oshkosh Northwestern
Super Bowl 46: Bill Belichick's Coaching Errors Leave Patriots On Losing EndSB Nation
USA TODAY (blog) -Christian Science Monitor
all 19,893 news articles »


USA TODAY

Charleston coach Cremins says he was physically exhausted
USA TODAY
20, 2011, file photo, Charleston coach Bobby Cremins signals to his players during the first half of their NCAA college basketball game against Louisville, in Louisville, Ky. By Timothy D. Easley, AP In this Dec. 20, 2011, file photo, Charleston coach ...
Cougars' Cremins says physical exhaustion, doctor's advice led him to step ...Washington Post
What does C of C do post-Cremins?Charleston Post Courier
Bobby Cremins: 'Team play has lifted my spirits'Live 5 News

all 49 news articles »


Bleacher Report

Tampa Bay Bucs Struggle to Assemble Coaching Staff: Fan's Look
Yahoo! Sports
Contributor Network 1 hour, 53 minutes ago Besides prior flirtation with another college coach in Chip Kelly of Oregon, few predicted that the Bucs would target the former head coach of Rutgers University. Indeed, during the lengthy search to replace ...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Still Silent on Assistant Coaching PossibilitiesBleacher Report
Buccaneers Coaching Staff Search: Florida's Dan Quinn Turns Down Job ...SB Nation
Am I Missing Something?The Pewter Plank
National Football Post -Pewter Report -Bucs Nation (blog)
all 29 news articles »


Sports Chat Place

Billy Donovan, John Calipari coaching 'em up on hardwood
Florida Times-Union
AP Florida head coach Billy Donovan calls out a play during the first period against Texas A&M on Dec. 17. Don't miss a second of the action when you're away from your computer. Download our Gators app by searching "Jacksonville.com Gators" in your ...
Calipari and the Cats wary of Florida's 3-point shooting, peaking too earlyCoachCal.com

all 132 news articles »


Deaf swim coach teaching lessons beyond the pool
The Seattle Times
By Sandy Ringer Coach Michael Dobner, who has been deaf since birth, addresses his Kentridge High School swimmers. Interpreter Kim Toffstad, right, often assists. Coach Michael Dobner gets through to his Kentridge High School swimmers using a variety ...

and more »


San Francisco Chronicle

Raiders hire Jason Tarver as def. coordinator
San Francisco Chronicle
Jason Tarver spent 10 seasons with the 49ers before joining head coach David Shaw's staff at Stanford last year. After reportedly striking out with five other candidates for their defensive-coordinator job, the Raiders turned to a man with a master's ...
Oakland Raiders Take Another Coaching Risk In Hiring Jason Tarver To ...SB Nation
Football: Co-coordinator Tarver leaving to run Raiders' defenseThe Stanford Daily
Tarver hire could mean new defensive scheme in OaklandThoughts from the Dark Side
Silver and Black report -Bleacher Report -Just Blog Baby (blog)
all 157 news articles »


Bleacher Report

Harbaugh, Coach of the Year, Has 49ers Built for the Long Run
NBC Bay Area
By Doug Williams Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers was voted the NFL's Coach of the Year. The question now is, was Harbaugh's coaching magic a one-time wave of the magic wand, or will that magic have staying power?
NFL Coach of the Year: Ranking the 5 Coaches Who Most Deserve TitleBleacher Report
49ers' Jim Harbaugh wins coaching honorChicago Tribune

all 310 news articles »


After lots of coaching failures, Bulls got right guy in Tom Thibodeau
Chicago Sun-Times
Thibs was born to be a hoops coach. Take the job away from him, and what would be left? Two lidless eyeballs? A puddle? June 23, 2010. ''We talked to coaches, players, everyone. It was evident Tom was really a fit for us and the philosophy of the ...

and more »


PennLive.com

Post-Super Bowl and Patriots, Bill O'Brien set to tackle Penn State coaching ...
Washington Post
White placards with a set of rules were affixed to the glass doors of the players' entrance at the Penn State football building about the time Bill O'Brien agreed to become the school's next football coach. Rule No. 1 on the sign the Nittany Lions see ...
The O'Brien era at Penn State begins todayCitizens Voice
Frank Bodani: QB recruit Bench finally gets a chance at Penn StateYork Daily Record

all 63 news articles »


University of Wisconsin Badgers

Faulkner embraces opportunity to coach at alma mater
University of Wisconsin Badgers
12 after spending last season as the special team's coordinator and running backs coach at Northern Illinois. But when coach Bret Bielema gave Faulkner a chance to “come home again'' and rejoin Matt Canada -- another solid reference -- Faulkner could ...
Former Badgers back Eddie Faulkner returns to Wisconsin as coachAppleton Post Crescent
UW football: Faulkner returns to coach tight ends77Square.com (blog)
Faulkner leaves Pittsburgh behind, joins WisconsinUW Badger Herald
ESPN (blog) -Wisconsin Radio Network -Bucky's 5th Quarter
all 64 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2007