FEATURED ON THIS EPISODE

INTERIOR DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THE EPISODE:

HOW TO START BUILDING YOUR BASELINE CONFIDENCE

HOW THIS KIND OF CONFIDENCE ARISES FROM AN APPRECIATION OF YOUR OWN TALENTS AND ABILITIES

HOW TO OVERCOME CONFIDENCE CRUSHERS

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Today, we’re talking confidence.

There is no good that comes out of panic, wondering if you messed up, and anxiety. All it does is make you fearful of your own decision-making powers. And that is something I want you all to avoid at all costs.

I don’t want you to think that by the end of this episode, you’ll have all the confidence in the world, and no project will ever make you wonder about your abilities.

I have been in this career for 30 years, and I still get on projects where I don’t know something. But that’s why I love what we do! It’s exciting – there’s always something new to learn and experience. Every project I have is one step closer to knowing more, not all, more.

I looked up the true definition of confidence. And I found two. One was “The state of feeling certain about the truth of something.” And I thought, ok, that sounds good.

But then the next one was “A feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities.”

That’s your goal.

Not all the confidence in the world, but confidence in your own abilities and qualities that you have developed. So that is what I have and why I don’t freak out when I’m learning something new on a project. 

The lack of confidence in your abilities or qualities, I find, comes from imposter syndrome, overwhelm, and inexperience, but more so, inexperience combined with a fear of asking for help.  

Imposter Syndrome

There are three ways I like to share on how to get over your imposter syndrome. One, dress like them. The way I look at it is, I might go up a ladder today. What will I be comfortable climbing a ladder in? If I’m on a new build, I throw boots in my car. I don’t wear them all day, but I like to have them if it’s a mud pit.

Two, I don’t want the guys to feel uncomfortable around me and think I’m fragile. 

And three, it makes me look like I know what I’m doing.

Overwhelm

I’ve been there a lot, and I will be there again. But since my confidence is at a baseline, it doesn’t knock me off my feet. Overwhelm comes from having a gazillion things going on. I have learned to prioritize my time, and my jobs so that yes, I can have a lot going on but I don’t feel overwhelmed by it all.

Another thing that can create overwhelm is feeling inexperienced combined with a fear of asking for help.

Feeling inexperienced is okay. 

Just don’t be fearful of asking for help. 

So, what does help look like? Asking your contractor. Asking your trade, whether it’s a tile sitter, like, “Why are you doing it that way?” You can also ask fellow designers. 

The level of confidence I want for all of you is beautifully stated in the definition: “A feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities.”

This is obtainable whether you’ve been doing this work for 1 year or 30 years. And I want you each to work on that. Fight that imposter syndrome. Work on your overwhelm. And honor your experience, own it, share it, and don’t ever inflate it because it will be found out. And look for help and advice in the areas that you need. 

That is how you will develop the baseline confidence you will need to take on any challenge that comes up on a construction project.

As always, if you have an update, a thought or question, please reach out to me, I’d love to hear from you!