I’m writing this during a very windy day here in London.  You know summer is over when the heating goes on. If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering what happened to the summer holiday while simultaneously trying to ignore the way Christmas is sneaking into the shops.

You might have noticed I’ve been talking more about confidence lately and less about burnout. I wanted to explain why, and share something that might help you too.

After working with doctors for the last 4 years, I’ve noticed that almost all my clients are women – and they are all struggling with confidence at some level.

These brilliant women aren’t broken or exhausted (though they often feel that way). They’re incredibly capable doctors who struggle with confidence. They second-guess their expertise, avoid leadership opportunities, and say yes when they desperately want to say no.

P.S. While I focus on women in medicine, men are absolutely welcome to stay on this list – and anyone interested in my previous content on burnout, as negative self-talk and confidence issues affect us all.

The pattern I keep seeing:

• Qualified doctors who don’t feel “ready enough” for roles they could excel at
• Brilliant women who apologise for their expertise
• Leaders who doubt themselves, while less experienced colleagues get promoted

That’s why I’m now focused on helping women in medicine develop rebel confidence to reclaim their life and career on their terms.

Here’s a quick confidence tip for you:

Stop saying “I think” when you mean “I know.”

This week, notice how often you soften your expertise with phrases like:

• “I think this might be…”
• “I may be being thick but…”
• “This may be just me, but…”

When you catch yourself doing this, ask: “Am I uncertain about the facts, or am I uncertain about my right to state them?”

Your expertise doesn’t need apologising for.

What’s one area where you’ve been playing smaller than your capabilities?

Want to explore 1-1 coaching? Let’s have a complimentary conversation about developing your rebel confidence. https://zcal.co/drclairedavies