It is so common for us to be depressed about our failures to perform in our professional and personal lives. We have days where we find ourselves afraid to do the simplest of things and everyone else seems to be far better than us. We may have experiences where a cascade of unexpected happenings pull us down and make us doubt our capabilities. Here are simple tips that may be helpful in regaining one's confidence.
Stop pretending you have or will find answers to all your problems on your own. Do not be ashamed to accept that you are human and have limitations. You may not give this as a reason to your superiors, but to yourself so as to stop doubting. Remember that you are a part of an organization or family because there is something valuable in you.
Nothing will break loose or stop if you slow down for a while. Take a break if necessary, but do not rush headlong into your work or responsibilities just to compensate for that. If you hit another roadblock you may lose whatever remaining confidence you had. Gradually raise your tempo to regain confidence. In all probability, you will find even your fiercest critics encouraging you.
Maybe being a senior member of a team or family, you are afraid to show your inability to understand certain things. Analyze your problem with your colleague or friend and move forward one step at a time.
Make the maximum use of training sessions and informal talking sessions to gain insights into what others think about a similar problem you have. You may get your answers without even asking for anything.
Come out of your cocoon and try to be sarcastic about your problems. Have a hearty laugh when the occasion permits. Do not take comments at the workplace personally and mull over it the whole day. You will be the only person remembering and loosing sleep over it.
Hurting yourself will not make the problems go away. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and eating habits. Do not miss food or indulge in anything unhealthy just because you are depressed. It will just show others how unstable you are.
Listen to your favorite music and if possible sing and dance along as best as you can. You will find yourself at your cheerful best again. Play and do not let go of your “happy hour”. Do not feel guilty about rewarding yourself and indulging in your favorite daily activities.
Have healthy relationships with people who matter most and do not let your frustrations affect them. They may have answers and ways about which you never thought of.
Ponder about all the “mountains” you have climbed in the past and in retrospect found them to be mole hills, and you will understand the undue importance you attach with your present day difficulties.
Lastly, understand that luckily a day has only twenty-four hours and people do have short memories. You will be valued more for your human qualities and not for your abilities like an unfailing robot.
