Want advice on Confidence from a Fighter Pilot?
To celebrate International Men's Day, we are highlighting Air Commodore Rob Caine, Head of UK Military Flying Training. In my upcoming book CONFIDENT, he shared valuable insights on building confidence under pressure. As a leader in military aviation, Rob has faced high-stakes situations where confidence was crucial to making quick and effective decisions. Here are 5 practical tips from him on how to build confidence when the pressure is on!
1. Embrace Failure as a Learning Experience: Confidence grows when you learn from both successes and setbacks. Instead of fearing failure, use it as a tool for growth. Each mistake teaches you something valuable that helps you improve and perform better next time.
2. Trust Your Instincts: In high-pressure situations, overthinking can lead to inaction. Confidence comes from trusting your gut. By relying on your instincts, developed through experience, you can make faster, more decisive decisions, even when you don’t have all the facts.
3. Create a Safe Space for Mistakes: Confidence thrives in environments where it’s safe to make mistakes. When you feel comfortable admitting your errors, you build trust with others and yourself, which ultimately boosts your confidence and fosters growth.
4. Prepare Thoroughly: Confidence is rooted in preparation. The more thoroughly you plan and practice, the more self-assured you’ll feel when the pressure mounts. Being well-prepared also helps you react effectively when unexpected challenges arise.
5. Stay Present and Manage Stress: Managing stress is essential for maintaining confidence. Use techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness to stay grounded in the moment. By controlling your stress, you can focus on the task at hand and perform with greater confidence.
Confidence under pressure isn’t innate— it’s built through preparation, learning from failure, trusting your instincts, and managing stress. Learn from the masters of pressure and become the Top Gun of your life.
“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”
- Haruki Murakami
How do you stay confident when the pressure is on? Hit reply and let me know - I'd love to hear from you!
Best wishes,
Caroline
