What Applying to Join Sephora Squad Taught Me About Confidence
What is confidence? When I think of confidence, the following comes to mind: It’s believing in yourself. Believing that you’re beautiful and not needing confirmation. Believing in your capabilities and showcasing them without permission. These are just my words. Now, the true definition of confidence is:
(a.) the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.
(b.) the state of feeling certain about the truth of something.
(c.) a feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities.
All three of these definitions are great, but for the sake of this post, let’s focus on (c.) a feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities. This definition focuses on one’s own thoughts about their own abilities and qualifications. Confidence starts with self. Confidence starts with you.
When I took the leap and applied to be a part of Sephora squad I told myself that I was worth it. I was worth the look and the consideration and I realized that I didn’t have to wait on anyone’s permission to let me be all I can be. Here are a few things I learned about confidence by simply submitting my application.
I didn’t need the confirmation but receiving it refueled me for what’s next
I found that I sometimes get so caught up in my head that I talk myself out of doing a lot of things. It happened last year when I opened the Sephora Squad application. I talked myself out of applying and I almost did the same thing this year. But I decided to bet on myself and I’m glad I did because the confirmation I received from supporters affirmed that I made the right decision.
Let’s think about confirmation. You receive confirmation or confirmation numbers AFTER you have completed something right? Whether a purchase or a submission, you receive confirmation AFTER your action. So your performance is required before you can receive confirmation. If you don’t bet on yourself or put yourself out there, what exactly will you receive confirmation about?
The confirmation I received in the testimonials that I read helped me to see beyond my own thoughts. It helped me realize that I am doing great things and I will only continue to do even better things. Everything I wanted my brand to be, I saw that it was being interpreted just as that by you all and it has made me proud and ignited my creativity.
When you believe in yourself everyone else follows suit
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. Don’t wait on anyone to give you permission to believe in yourself. It’s easy to be your biggest critic but it’s hard to be your biggest fan. Let’s change that. Believe in yourself so much that people don’t have a choice but to believe in you too. When you exude confidence people get behind your mission and vision and support all the things you do because you don’t give them a choice to do anything else.
Quit minimizing your impact.
Don’t give people permission to doubt you
When you give people the option to doubt you or your abilities you’re shortchanging yourself.
Let me explain.
When I say permission I mean this: negative self-talk, sharing self-doubt, not applying for opportunities because you feel you don’t qualify, not celebrating your wins, or minimizing your accomplishments.
If you’ve done any of these things, you’ve opened the door for others to join you in doubt. If you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect someone else to? So you’re going to walk around in your self-doubt and hold your talents in until someone decides to take a chance on you? But why wait on someone? Why not just set the standard that you know you meet and let your drive, your work, and your unique beauty and identity speak for themselves? Believe in yourself so much that people are amazed. Quit minimizing your impact.
People love to support those who believe in what they bring to the table
You can’t deliver a message you don’t believe in and expect people to take you seriously. Stand on your word with confidence and your supporters will come I’ve been preaching the same thing for years and my audience (y’all) were able to tell Sephora what you thought of me. Your thoughts aligned with my goals for my brand and that shows that I’ve stood on my word consistently and gotten my message across, making you all confident in my content.
Be consistent with your message. Be confident in your delivery and your unique beauty and identity. Consistently and confidently be you. Take the chance and bet on yourself. Don’t wait for permission or confirmation. If you are consistently and confidently being authentically you, the confirmation will come once you apply yourself. People can’t bet on no action.
I say all this to say, you miss every chance you don’t take. You have a lot of control over how you achieve your goals and most of it starts with believing in yourself and what you have to offer. Start shooting for the stars and don’t wait for anyone to tell you the light is green.
If you’ve been enjoying my content and would like to support my application to Sephora Squad, you can leave me a testimonial here.
