One With The Machine

Hi All,

After 6 months of no updates I'm finally back!, just recently been sent halfway around the world to work on a product that with my current employer. All in all its a good experience and a confidence level booster.

I've been receiving lots of emails lately from people asking me, how to deal with nervousness, or confidence in job interviews. it's getting piled up in my email so i have to make a topic out of it :)

... Often times we are struck with fear, in the most important moment of our life.. like confession of your love, job interviews, meetings, and even just talking up front with a crowd! This is because we have a mental image of ourselves, and what we think what others are thinking about us (sounds confusing?). you may call it paranoia if you like :)

So you ask me how do I boost my confidence when I need it most?

1. first off all you should practice deep breathing
if you breath properly, you get more oxygen in your head, which will make your relax, and more comfortable. breath deeply, don't be afraid of showing it to the person you are conversing with, he/she's probably nervous too!

2. you should think positively!
you may say oh, i think that way!, but why are your lips shaking? when you talk. that is because you are afraid to commit mistakes. or mispronounce words, or probably your thinking too much and hoping you'd make sense to people.

3. don't be afraid to commit mistakes.
if you do commit mistakes just laugh it off and act as if you don't care.
this is one every good confidence booster, since everyone is human and prone to errors. there is really no point on why you cant commit the same mistakes too!

4. level yourself with the person your talking to.
often times when we are face with an interview, we get scared because the interviewer is the 'authority' figure. you should think that you're still talking to a human, which would probably be thinking the same thing towards you. so there is really nothing to fear. you might think, i bet i can't out run him in a marathon, or i bet i can sing better than him! gather your confidence, in the skill's you are most comfortable with.

when I'm talking to my boss I put a mental image of him and say to myself.. he is almost the same height as me.. his a bit larger but not that large, I'm getting hungry i bet his getting hungry too!

5. don't think too much or don't be too conscious
yes that is correct, if you think too much when talking to someone often times our mind, hinders you to speak the ideas you are really wanting to share. this is where fear of committing mistakes comes in. and the next thing you know you're shaking! and eating your words.

6. lastly, learn to let go.
when you commit mistakes, or mispronounce words just don't mind it, your main goal here is to transmit your message and not your fear.

always remember, fear makes the wolf look bigger! :)