What’s your big moment? An interview for your dream job, the “big presentation” in class or to a major client, or an important one-on-one with your supervisor…

Every professional experiences situations where the stakes are high and the pressure is on. In these moments, it is normal for feelings of self-doubt and panic to creep in, but these feelings do not have to control you. As a College and Career Strategist, I often speak to my clients about confidence and channeling the nervous energy into powerful creative energy that propels your success. The starting point is to acknowledge your feelings and then make a conscious choice on how you are going to respond.

Here are four tips to help boost your confidence and choose success over self-doubt:

Tip #1: The Key to Confidence is Preparation. 

When you've "done your homework" and are well prepared, you can be confident that you are ready to face any challenge that comes your way. Preparation should include these four components:

• Know Your Audience: Who are they? What company, position(s), background(s) do they have? What are their priorities, values and goals?

• Know Your Goal: What are your priorities, values and goals? Determine what you are looking to achieve through the interaction. What are the most important things for you to convey? What information or feedback must you obtain in order to move forward?

• Know Your Stuff: Be prepared with your agenda, required research/background material, deliverables, resources, etc. Anticipate the needs and questions of the other party (based on the assessment of their priorities, values and goals), and do the necessary research to impress them with your preparedness and thoughtful answers.

• Know Yourself: Consider what habits, routines, environments, power outfit and/or lucky medallions put you most at ease. Build in time and make the necessary accommodations to set yourself up for success!

Tip #2: It's OK to Not Know - Expertise isn't innate, it's earned.

Another key to confidence is being OK with the unknown and with not knowing. Rest assured - No one has all of the answers all of the time. 

If you are caught off-guard with a question or situation that is unknown or that you didn't prepare for, just remember that anything you don't know, you can learn! A professional becomes an expert only with years of hard work and learning after not having the answers.

Rather than feeling flustered and letting should-haves and self-doubt overtake the situation, take a deep breath, then reply calmly and confidently, "Wow! That's a great question. I don't have the answer right now, but let me pull the information after this meeting and get back to you." — Be sure to follow up!

Tip #3: Remember That You are Human...and Your Boss/Colleague/Client is Too! 

We all make mistakes. Don't let the fear of making a mistake hold you back from rising to a professional challenge or putting yourself forward for new opportunities. Be confident in yourself. Prepare (see point 1) and then do your best (see point 2). If you make a mistake, own it, apologize (if the situation warrants it), and move on!

"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
―Theodore Roosevelt

Tip #4: Before the Big Event, Strike a Pose!

I love Amy Cuddy's TED Talk on Power Posing. Many of my clients and students have found the two-minute technique to provide an extra shot of calm and confidence. So give it a try—It certainly doesn't hurt!

Life is short. Be confident, and don't stand in the way of your own success. Put your best foot forward and take one step at a time toward rocking that meeting, slam dunking that client pitch, and making your professional dreams come true!