IFD
- Sep 6, 2021
- 3 min read

How to Build Confidence & Live Your Best Life

Updated: Jan 26

Author: Derek Goodman, Contributing Writer & Entrepreneur

The last 15 to 18 months have been disruptive for many people: family life, careers, personal lives were all turned upside down. As restrictions are being eased and life is opening up again, this is the perfect time to reboot your life. Inside Fashion Design (IFD) shares how to go about it.

Start Small

Living your best life sounds like a tall order but the secret is to start slowly and make small changes. Over time, all the small changes add up to a big life shift. Start by identifying areas of your life you would like to improve. This can become your roadmap towards living your best life.

Keep on Learning

How about gaining the confidence you need to step up your career a notch? One of the best ways to increase your confidence in your professional skills is to add to those skills.

Learning something new and perhaps earning a formal qualification does not have to be stressful. Online learning is the answer. You can fit your courses around your schedule and start at a level that’s comfortable for you.

For example, if you were working as an admin assistant before the pandemic hit, start by listing the additional skills you have already gained. Chances are that you can handle video conferencing software, manage several people’s schedules remotely, and keep the team together with the help of various collaboration tools. A great starting point would be to gain formal qualifications that recognize those skills.

Take Your Career to the Next Level

You will see results during your next performance review when your new qualifications help make your case for a promotion, a pay raise , or both. If you choose to leave your current job, newly gained qualifications improve your resume and your chances to be selected for an interview.

If you are already familiar with online learning, consider studying for further qualifications that contribute to expanding your job opportunities. Adding skills like bookkeeping, business communication, and social media management to your repertoire can pave your way from admin assistant to executive secretary, as an example.

Finding a course that is right for you may take some time. Consider your budget – there are plenty of free options available at the moment but it is often worth investing some money if you can afford it. With a budget in mind, look at the institutions offering the qualifications you are interested in. IFD offers some valuable resources for learning to get you started.

Online-only learning facilities may have a curriculum that is built on the flexibility and convenience of learning at your own pace. Established institutions may add to the reputation of the qualifications you earn.

Be More Confident

As you are learning new skills, your confidence will grow. Confidence is not the same as arrogance, and if you feel that you are at a low ebb, it may take time to rise up.

Investing this time is worth it. Where do you start? Mark your small achievements. This will help you believe in yourself and stretch your limits gradually. Next, you can set the bar a little higher and challenge yourself. Remember to recognize even small victories. You will notice that they outnumber the times when things don’t go your way.

Most importantly, keep an eye on your goal whilst enjoying the journey towards it. Living your best life is a process rather than a target.