I’m employed at a place where the facts determine every action and reaction; however, I’ve no data to defend my absolute belief that confidence in yourself and your purpose in the Universe will make you more successful in the workplace.

Confident people speak up, ask questions, aren’t afraid to take smart risks, can usually admit when they are wrong, and most importantly, can build the self-esteem of workplace colleagues without sacrificing their own.  They are not perfect. But folks who can see both the forest AND the trees do tend to be better managers of people and team players. They even eat healthier.

Unfortunately, way to many folks seem to be lacking basic self-confidence, which is so often a catalyst for optimism and inherent understanding of how good/courageous/smart/important/talented you are. Not cockiness; just a healthy dose of “I like me.”

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately because of the flood of feedback regarding my latest Her Nashville column, “Spread Your News.” Readers seem to be thankful for the gentle reminder that they’re real contributors deserving of recognition. Well, of course you are, folks. And it pains me that you don’t know it.

I’ve written before about the importance of surrounding yourself with positive people.  A sincere pep-talk from a colleague/friend doesn’t mean you won’t have bad days or moments of despair — it’s that these challenges won’t break your spirit because, with help, you’ll keep them in perspective. It’s how people defeat Cancer, find valuable lessons in tragedy, and eventually, peace out of grief.

Training your mind to focus on the positive takes discipline, the humility to act on advice from other people, and the willingness to accept well-deserved praise. This cannot be done in a vacuum, nor in a negative and abusive environment.

Start today. Take inventory of your the company you keep. If they aren’t building you up, encouraging you to shine, offering constructive criticism, and celebrating your wins – no matter how small – you’ll need to balance out your dance card with folks who do. Your mind, body, spirit and career path will be ever so grateful.

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