EP184 When you're doubting your abilities as a teacher...

Published: Jan. 26, 2020, 5 p.m.

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You can\\u2019t just positive-think your way into confidence: real confidence comes as a result of consistently taking action, and seeing growth in yourself over time.

When I started my podcast 4 years ago, I wasn\\u2019t confident about it. At all. In fact, I was very self-conscious about my voice, my accent, my ideas, my theme song, my introduction. You name it, I doubted it.

And that\\u2019s how it should be \\u2014 how can you be confident about something you\\u2019ve never done and aren\\u2019t great at yet? I didn\\u2019t have the confidence yet because I hadn\\u2019t yet built the capability.

But, I believed in my own ability to grow and improve. I knew I COULD have the capability if I kept showing up.

With each mediocre episode I worked so hard to produce, I got better at it. Things began to come easier to me, and I was happier with the end result. I saw my growth, and THAT\\u2019S what gave me my confidence as a podcast host.

In this episode, I share my encouragement to you: to build your confidence as a teacher by building your capability. Don\\u2019t try to manufacture confidence: build it by taking action.

Do the same things over and over until you get good at them or at least better at them, and then move on and try something else. Work toward mastery and depth, knowing that mastery always requires repetition.

Reflect each day on what you have grown in, and the things you have learned that day. Notice your progress in the smallest ways. As you start to pay attention to your own growth and recognize your accomplishments, you will build REAL and unshakeable confidence in your abilities as a teacher.

Click here to read the transcript and participate in the discussion or, join our new podcast Facebook group here to connect with other teachers and discuss the Truth for Teachers\' podcast episodes.

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