For most of my career, I would not have the courage to speak in meetings, my stomach would be in knots.
I mean that literally. My stomach would get painful, acidic. I knew it was just adrenaline, but I hated that feeling. It was the physical proof of what I felt inside: I was nervous, I was holding back, and I didn't have the confidence to take the stage.
I was the person in the meeting who knew the answer but was too afraid to speak up.
And on the rare occasions I did find the courage to say something, the moment anyone challenged me, I would just shut down. I'd go right back into my box. I wouldn't stand my ground.
This continued for a long time. It was frustrating, and I knew it was holding me back from being noticed and promoted.
I'm sure there are a lot of people out there reading this who know that exact feeling. You're technically sound, you know your stuff, but you can't find your voice. So, how do you fix it?
For me, it wasn't a lightning bolt. It was a slow, deliberate process. My confidence didn't come from just "deciding to be confident." It came from a system.
I started by being thoughtful. In my head, I would prepare exactly what I needed to speak about. And, most importantly, I made sure I had the facts.
The facts became my armor.
I knew that what I was saying was true, not just an opinion. So I built on that. I started small. I'd find the courage to just speak up and state one or two pieces of small, factual information.
Then, bit by bit, I found my voice. I took it from there. I learned that my confidence wasn't some magical trait I was born without. It was a result. It was the outcome of preparation, of starting small with facts, and of building on those tiny, successful moments.
Over time, and with age, I found the confidence to speak up, to challenge, and to stand my ground.
If you feel that nervousness, that stomach pain, please know you are not alone. Your confidence isn't "missing." It's just waiting to be built. You don't have to be the loudest person in the room; you just have to be the most prepared.
Start with one small fact. Build from there.
What's one small step you've taken to help find your own voice, even when you were nervous?
Sarfraz.
P.S. If my story resonates and you feel like you're on a long, winding road without a clear map, let's change that.
A career built with intention doesn't happen by accident; it happens by design. In my complimentary 45-minute strategy session, we'll design the blueprint for your next career move.