Have you ever felt paralyzed by the thought of speaking up, even when you had something important to say? The fear of being judged or rejected can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to asserting yourself. The good news is that building the courage to speak up doesn’t require a giant leap. It starts with small, manageable steps that help you build confidence over time.
Before you can start to plan your success goals, there are many things that you need to understand before you can be sure that the goals you set are really the ones you want.
One of those things is to determine if there are any Limiting Beliefs that can stop you from actually achieving those goals.
I have a self-study Limiting Belief Program that you can go through to determine what your Limiting Beliefs are and how you can remove them.
You can read more and register for the program at Limiting Beliefs Program on my Confidence and Life Coaching website.
Start your journey on your path to success by identifying and removing your Limiting Beliefs so that you make the journey a lot easier.
You can download a free PDF containing five articles on Limiting Beliefs and how to overcome them and achieve things in your career and personal life.
The PDF can be downloaded here (and you don’t have to register or provide an email address) Limiting Beliefs Download
Download the file and go over the other material that you can find on the Confidence and Life Coaching website.
If you are ready to move even further into the process of Identifying and removing and replacing your Limiting Beliefs, you should consider my short Limiting Belief’s Coaching Program.
When faced with the idea of expressing yourself, it’s natural to want to avoid the discomfort altogether. Many people fall into the trap of waiting for the “perfect moment” to start speaking up, only to realize that the moment never comes. By starting small, you remove much of the pressure and make the process of finding your voice more approachable.
Speaking up in one-on-one situations is one of the easiest ways to begin. Whether it’s sharing an idea with a trusted colleague, expressing your preferences to a friend or politely correcting a small mistake, these interactions provide a safe space to practice. They’re less intimidating than addressing a group and allow you to experiment with different ways of expressing yourself. Over time, these small victories add up, giving you the confidence to tackle more challenging scenarios.
Starting small also helps you build a positive feedback loop. The more you speak up, the more you realize that most people value your input. This realization encourages you to continue sharing your thoughts. You may even notice that people begin to seek out your opinions more frequently, reinforcing the idea that your voice has value.
Another advantage of starting small is that it helps you develop the skills necessary to handle larger, more complex situations. Just as a musician practices scales before performing a symphony, practising small interactions prepares you for the demands of public speaking or high-pressure discussions. With each step, you become more comfortable organizing your thoughts, maintaining eye contact and using a confident tone of voice.
Actionable Step: Start with One Low-Stakes Conversation
Identify one situation this week where you can practice speaking up. It could be something as simple as asking a question in class, sharing an idea during a team meeting or voicing your opinion about a movie choice with friends. Approach the conversation with the mindset that it’s okay to feel a little nervous. Focus on delivering one clear message, and remind yourself that this is a step toward a larger goal.
To make the process even smoother, plan what you want to say in advance. Write down a sentence or two summarizing your main point. If you’re worried about how the other person might respond, prepare a follow-up comment that shows you’re open to discussion. For instance, you might say, “I see your point, but I think this approach could also work because…” Practicing these phrases will help you feel more prepared and less likely to freeze in the moment.
While small steps are important, it’s equally crucial to be kind to yourself along the way. There will be times when you feel awkward or stumble over your words, and that’s okay. Growth rarely happens without a few missteps. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, celebrate the fact that you made an effort. Reflect on what you can improve next time, and keep moving forward.
As you build confidence, you’ll notice that speaking up becomes less about overcoming fear and more about sharing your authentic self. The more you practice, the less intimidating it feels to express your thoughts, even in situations where you might once have stayed silent. This shift in mindset opens up new opportunities for connection, collaboration and personal growth.
Starting small is about more than just easing into the habit of speaking up. It’s about proving to yourself that you have the courage and ability to be heard. Each time you take a step forward, you’re rewriting the narrative that kept you silent in the past. You’re building a new story — one where your voice matters and your contributions make a difference.
To talk about any aspect of success or working with a Life Coach to help you to achieve success, you can book a 30-minute call by clicking on the blue button below.
Don’t try to do all of this by yourself, ask and receive the guidance that can get you moving towards your own success.
Working together can help you overcome personal and professional barriers, ensuring you reach your highest potential.
Nothing happens until action is taken.
To your success.
Michael
P.S if you want to find out more about my programs just check out the site Confidence and Life Coaching
P.P.S. If you enjoy reading these articles on my blog, I have more books that have more of this type of information that you can find out more about at Books to Read. You can buy these ebooks at many on-line book stores. The links to the bookstores are at the link above.
If you have an Amazon Kindle account, there are different books at Amazon – Michael W (author)
P.P.P.S. You can download a free PDF containing five articles on Limiting Beliefs and how to overcome them and achieve things in your career and personal life.
The PDF can be downloaded here (and you don’t have to register or provide an email address) Limiting Beliefs Download
Download the file and go over the other material that you can find on the Confidence and Life Coaching website.
P.P.P.P.S. If you are ready to move even further into the process of Identifying and removing and replacing your Limiting Beliefs, you should consider my short Limiting Belief’s Coaching Program.
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk
