Did you know that confidence matters as much as competence? Katty, Kay and Claire, who wrote The Confidence Code, state that evidence shows women are less self-assured than men – and that to succeed, confidence matters! So what is the female brain doing to us when it comes to being a confident female? In most cases, it is holding us back, but guess what? Confidence can be learnt. We can rewire our brains and create confidence maps. We can build a confident female brain.
The structure of the female brain
Let’s talk a little about the brain and how the female brain is a little different than men’s. These differences can contribute to us losing confidence on occasion. Firstly the amygdala which is the risk taking part of the brain as well as that part of the brain which controls fight or flight is slightly smaller in women. In turn fMRIs have shown that in women, it tends to activate more strongly to negative emotional events, suggesting that women are more likely than men to form strong emotional memories of negative events.
Next, take a look at the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). This is the area of the brain that helps us recognize errors and weigh options; the worrywart part of the brain. Guess what it’s larger in women.
Now you are thinking, I get it; it’s all about the brain! I know right? Guess what else, we can CHANGE our brain.
Confident female Change the way their brains work
Change is about shifting patterns and thinking. It’s about choice. It’s about taking action.
We know that our brains change depending on what we do and the environment in which we do it. It’s called neuroplasticity, which simply means that the brain can rearrange itself and build new neural pathways as it needs to. The brain will adjust itself in response to new situations or demands. As we take action – and particularly repeat actions – the brain will build stronger pathways to aid us.
So, our brains learn from practicing new skills and behaviours. Does that mean we can train our brains to be confident? Yes, it does.
Training our brains for confidence
Self-confidence is not simply about telling yourself how good you are, although that is important. It’s about having it reinforced from the outside, too. The best training tool you have is your ability to take action – to do something over and over again until it becomes natural – and to hear the positive feedback from your friends or peers.
That does mean putting yourself out there and finding opportunities for a success experience. It means learning to focus on what you do well, rather than what you don’t.
Confident Female – Creating your confidence map
Shifting your thinking pattern won’t necessarily be easy, but the more you try, the easier it becomes, thanks to neuroplasticity. Your brain will learn to see what’s good about you and what you’ve done instead of looking for the faults. You are plotting the pathways through your brain to bring you the response you want. That’s how you build a confidence map.
How do I know it works? Because I have done it.
Every day I create stronger as a confident female, confidence maps by changing my thinking. Every day I consciously choose what my mind is focusing on. I am channelling my attention to my talents, purpose and strengths. I am building stronger confidence connections in my brain.
Always remember that you have a choice. You can allow your female brain to hold you back or you can do something about it.
Where attention goes, energy flows. Choose to focus your attention and thoughts on what is remarkable about you and your talents. Build those confidence pathways in your brain.
