Confidence in the workplace is not something that comes naturally to most women. Most of us constantly work on maintaining a level of confidence that allows us to compete in the same arena as the over-confident men we often encounter. Whether we are negotiating a raise or simply raising our voices louder than our normal whisper, we have to boost our confidence to have a fighting chance at success. So, here’s how:

1. Identify and eliminate sabotaging thoughts. The number one murderer of confidence is our own thoughts. When we constantly question our decisions and convince ourselves that any idea we come up with is stupid, we end up staying quiet in meetings and passing on opportunities. If you find yourself consumed in thoughts about how you aren’t qualified for your position, try to stop those thoughts and make a commitment to not play those negative thoughts on repeat all day. When you make a conscious decision to pay attention to the inner dialogue in your head, you learn how to change it to support you, rather than hinder you.
2. Write down your accomplishments. Sometimes, all we need is a simple reminder of everything we have accomplished to remember that we are qualified to do the task at hand. So, keep a running list of things you’ve accomplished: big and small. This not only comes in handy when you need a confidence boost, but it also comes in handy when it’s time to negotiate a salary raise and you can support your desired salary with concrete examples of things you accomplished within the past year.
3. Listen to music. Listening to music that sparks your inner Beyonce is a great way to boost your confidence. Music can be therapeutic and can help shift your view point. Compile a playlist of songs and if possible, tune in while at work when you need a pick me up.