The Hive has undergone some changes this past quarter, and one of those changes was the introduction was the start of a quarterly workshop! The idea came from Natalie's often sold-out 1-on-1 coaching (more on that here). She noticed that so many of her clients struggle with confidence! While this was an exclusive Hive Only event, the key talking points were impactful, so we wanted to share them with YOU!
Why is confidence important for dyslexics?
Building confidence helps redefine the narrative we each hold of our perceived value. It also helps us stop the cycle of accepting harmful environments and negative people surrounding us.
The Problem is Not Always YOU
Often we take in comments from others and immediately think, "I'm the problem" and "I'm the screw-up," when in reality, the problem is mostly not you but inadequate systems, managers, and structures. Building confidence in yourself and your strengths helps you see the real problem (often not 100% you) and enables you to speak up for what you need to succeed.
Don't Suffer in Silence
Before we go any further, we want to talk about something we see a lot, people not asking for the accommodation they need. Often this is because they don't have confidence in their dyslexic skills and feel unworthy of "special" treatment. We're here to say speaking up for what you need will take you from struggling to succeeding.
Perception is Reality
Have you ever heard the old phrase, "look good, feel good?" The same is true about our dyslexia. When we control the negative narrative, others will not take the time to realize what is going on. Think of it like this: if we constantly say, "oh, I'm so disorganized," others hear that, and it becomes their truth. They start to believe that you are disorganized and not trustworthy for new work (or promotion or going off probation). When you focus on the negative, so do others; the same is true for strengths. So next time you talk about a struggle, frame it positively. "I have a system that works for me, even if my desk looks messy."
You are an ASSET
Portraying confidence in how neurodiversity is not a hindrance changes the general perception others hold. In the USA, we see dyslexia as a "learning disability" and often suffer social consequences from our peers (or teachers). You have to be confident and able to speak about your diversity's positive sides & strengths. The more you can do this, the more others will see how much of an asset we are for our creative thinking and other vast skills (narrative & dynamic reasoning)
Final Thoughts
Feeling confident takes work. It takes time, patients, and a level of self-reflection that hinges annoying. The only way to become more confident in your dyslexia is to reframe your thoughts from "I can't" to "I need to do this differently." You will see your confidence soar if you can do that one thing!
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