Tips to Stay Confident Under Pressure
Ever feel like you’re in a pressure cooker and not just because of a hot flash? Kidding, but women are stressed… often. Both at work and at home. We see you taking deep breaths, tapping your meridians, and fighting the urge to roll your eyes so far back into your head that you can’t see the annoyance anymore. It’s OK to be pissed off, but don’t let them-supervisors, colleagues, co-workers, employees- see you sweat. Here are some ways to reaffirm confidence even in the most stressful situations.
Stress is normal. Take the time to manage it in your best interest.
Walk away- literally. You don’t owe anyone an explanation, simply turn on your stilettos and seek a quiet space. It gives you an opportunity to really take those deep breaths and woosa yourself. Maybe you feel the hot tears brimming on your lower eyelids, that’s okay. You’re allowed to feel things and let them pass through. But try your best to do it in private. Not because it's embarrassing, or that you look weak, but because you deserve to feel your feelings without an audience and without judgment. Take 15 to experience the anger, sadness, embarrassment, or whatever, then gather your composure and get back out there and Boss It.
Change Your Body & Change Your Mind
Changing your body language not only influences those around you but it can also change the way you feel. According to an article on www.postureinfohub.com, “Research has shown that good posture can increase testosterone levels and decrease cortisol levels in the body. Testosterone is a hormone associated with confidence, while cortisol is a hormone associated with stress. Therefore, good posture can help us feel more confident and less stressed.”
The Wonder Woman stance.
Stand up taller and assume the Wonder Woman pose- place your fists n your hips and step your legs apart to just wider than hip-distanceBlog.CertainGallerybody moveTestimoentsialsrelease different endorphins that can absolutely change the way you feel. Throw in some stretches to also release the tension associated with the stress: roll your neck, clasp your hands behind your back, or release your spine by giving yourself a big hug and bending forward.
Give Yourself a Pep Talk
Words matter. Tone matters. Look at your beautiful self in the mirror and tell yourself three positive things about you in the moment you’re feeling weak or down. “You are strong! You can handle this! You look gorgeous in this color!” Tossing some compliments your own way changes your brain waves from a place of being beat by negativity waves to grabbing the oar and taking control of the boat again. It’s basically like saying, “Remember who the F you are.” We all need a quick reminder sometimes.
Refocus on Why This Instance or Situation is Important to You
Returning to your Why allows you to reassess your passions. The reason you’re probably feeling so pissed off or irritated is because someone else doesn’t understand why you do what you do. And that’s ok too. As previously mentioned, you don’t owe an explanation to anyone but sometimes when you share your Why, it helps others get where you’re coming from. And if they still don’t get it, then they’re probably not the person to work with on your project. If that’s the case, simply reevaluate your team and find the people you're in need of.
Even the most confident women need time to recharge or “Power Reminders” sometimes. And as I mentioned, it’s OK to feel vulnerable, to feel frustrated and to need some alone time. We’re human. You're also allowed to need more than the aforementioned 15 minutes to recuperate, just not at the office. You save that for when you’re in your car or at home. But usually it doesn’t take long to process the frustration and refocus on the task at hand.
Feeling better after letting her emotions process and release.
Note these tips the next time you're feeling a bit off-balance and let them guide you back to the Confident Woman you are.
