The More You Know
by Stevie Scott, MS, ATC
How confident would we be if our mechanic had trouble finding the hood latch to check out our car? Or if we went to the dentist and they kept second guessing which sharp instrument to put in our mouth? We can agree that our confidence in that person would begin to decline. Showing the proper amount of confidence is key when interacting with others. Coming off overly confident can sometimes come off as arrogant or impersonal, while a lack of confidence may leave those around us (and ourselves) questioning our abilities. Where can we find the right balance? Understanding our skillset is the key to unlocking the confidence that grounds us and guides our interactions.
Leverage What You Know
Let’s start by acknowledging our existing skills. What are we already good at? Leaning into our strengths can help us tackle challenges with more assurance. When we focus on our strong suits, we will inherently be more successful than if we are trying to work without harnessing our strengths. Tools make our work easier; using a skillset that we are confident in can be the difference between enjoying our day and dreading it. As industrial athletes, understanding our strengths in physical tasks like lifting, carrying, and performing repetitive motions allow us to complete our jobs efficiently while preventing injury.
Remember, not all skills are visible. Work Right uses the StandOut® assessment to help identify our best traits and take advantage of who we already are. Try out the assessment – it’s free!
Identify Areas For Growth
While focusing on strengths is a priority, recognizing areas where we need improvement is equally important. This isn’t about dwelling on weaknesses, but rather about identifying opportunities for growth. When you notice something that could use improvement, accept the challenge! Getting better at something and learning a new skillset not only builds personal confidence, but can open other doors and opportunities.
Learn And Apply
Confidence is built through continuous learning and application. Embrace the opportunities for growth by setting specific goals to enhance your skills. Look to see if your company or community hosts free courses that would be beneficial to you. (For example, many of us took language classes in high school but lost our knowledge over time. Duolingo is a language learning app that offers both a paid and a free version, AND has 43 available languages!!)
The industrial athlete’s skillset also includes adapting to new environments and tasks. Whether it’s learning new techniques or adjusting to different physical demands, leveraging our adaptability can make all the difference in staying confident on the job.
Once we have the skills – practice-practice-practice! Applying our skillset is the only way to truly show ourselves and others that we have both knowledge and confidence. Being successful is more than being book smart, it’s also having the presence to confidently show off your skillset.
Practice Positive Reinforcement
As we’ve mentioned throughout this month’s theme, celebrate your successes no matter how small. Recognizing achievements reinforces your self-worth and builds confidence over time. We should remember to take everything in stride and that each step of the journey is important and should be celebrated. Frequent positive reinforcement will keep us motivated to continue on our skills-building journey.
Stevie Scott, MS, ATC|| Stevie was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, where she graduated from UNLV. She moved to Southern California and began work in the occupational setting before obtaining her Master’s Degree in I/O Psychology. She has been an Injury Prevention Specialist with Work Right since June of 2024 and in the industrial setting for over 7 years. Her hobbies include live music, trying new restaurants, and relaxing at home with her rescue dogs Cali (chocolate Labrador) and Bella (Golden Retriever/Shepherd mix).
Be sure to check out our other blogs for further injury prevention education and tips for the industrial athlete from Work Right NW!