3. Practice, practice, practice!

The best way to build confidence in a given area is to invest energy in it and work hard at it. Throw out preconceived ideas of what you can, and cannot do. If you put your shoulder to it, you will find that grit trumps talent every time!

Lifelong training is a fact of life for FBI agents. It starts the day we arrive at the FBI academy and ends the day we sign our retirement papers.

This constant training creates the sort of mentality that prepares for the worst and practices ahead of time to overcome it. We’ve either gathered the evidence, slapped on the handcuffs, or run the drills so we know what to do in case the sh*t hits the fan.

What it means for you

Start by trying out your new skills in a safe setting. Practice a dry run before actually launching a product, negotiating with a tough customer or making a presentation. Not only will it boost your confidence, but it can also help you improve the quality of your performance.