Do you remember your last pep talk?
It may have been relatively recently, from a parent or partner as you were gearing up for a big change in your life or maybe you haven’t been on the receiving end of a pep talk since you were a kid—from a sports coach motivating you to try your best or a teacher instilling some inspiration before a test. No matter when—or from whom! —you got it, chances are you felt a lot more confident and prepared to face an important moment.
So, don’t just leave pep talks on the baseball field or in the classroom—they can be an important contributor to career success as well! While mentors and supervisors are significant sources of motivation, it’s also important to find that spirit within yourself—to pursue your big new career opportunity, that promotion you’ve been chasing, or even to face the day-to-day challenges that could drag you down if you’re not prepared.
Next time you’re feeling intimidated or need a little extra push to pursue your goals, here are a few things to keep in mind to help you give yourself the pep talk you deserve:
Celebrate your accomplishments
No matter how small: One of the best ways to motivate yourself to take on a challenge is by reflecting on all the times you’ve come out on top. Look back on the time you asked for that big raise, pursued a new skill, or surprised yourself in an exciting way—even if it seems like a small feat, pat yourself on the back to keep yourself moving forward.
Turn the negatives into the positives
It can’t always be about celebrating, though; we’ve all had pitfalls but when you’re giving yourself a pep talk to keep your head in the (professional!) game, you can’t dwell on the negative. Instead, reframe how you think about past missteps—not as mistakes but as opportunities for learning and improvement.
Put things into perspective
When you’re gearing up for a daunting task, it can be all too easy to fall back on your nerves, so when you’re amping yourself up, keep in mind the bigger picture. The chances are that the big move you’re looking to make or that important decision you have to come to aren’t really as momentous as you might think! Nothing is permanent, you can make mistakes and—nearly always! —intimidating moments are never as bad as we think.
If you find yourself in need of a push in the right direction to make your career all that you know it can be, give yourself a little encouragement and keep a positive outlook and open mind—and watch yourself shine!
