Cindy Esliger talks about the inner dialogue we all have that is often driven by stress, fear, and anxiety, and why we shouldn’t believe everything it says. The things we tell ourselves are shaped by past experiences, current fears, and future worries and the stress we carry can make these inner voices very unreliable. So how do we start believing a better story about ourselves? 

While our inner narrative can sometimes be encouraging, it is more often negative and self-sabotaging. It combines a series of conscious thoughts, unconscious beliefs, and personal fears into a dialogue that keeps us stuck in unproductive patterns. Cindy advises awareness as the first step in combating these negative inner thoughts. Becoming aware of our thoughts allows us to replace some of them with more positive ones consciously.

Cindy discusses four strategies to help us become more aware of our thoughts in order to kick the unhelpful self-talk out of our heads: 1) Monitor our thoughts, 2) Notice patterns and identify self-sabotaging behaviour, 3) Challenge our inner critic, and 4) Replace negative thoughts with empowering beliefs. As she delves into each point, she offers insight into how the limiting narrative forms and why it’s so important to disrupt it so we can live our fullest lives.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Guide to Imagining a Better Story
• Astronomic Audio
• Confidence Collective

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Contact Cindy Esliger 

Career Confidence Coaching: website | instagram | facebook | linkedin | email

Cindy Esliger explores the idea of putting ourselves to the test and stepping outside our comfort zones in this episode. There’s an allure to sticking to what we’re good at but if we only do what we’re good at, we don’t get challenged. When we accept a challenge, we trust ourselves more and build greater self-confidence. But how do we take those first steps? 

When we master something, we feel good about ourselves because it’s safe and we have a niche. But eventually, it feels like autopilot. The thing about comfort zones is that they feel like we’re progressing in what we’re already good at but in reality, we’re just spinning our wheels. What if there’s something else we should be doing or could be good at? Cindy talks about what happens when we take a risk and try something new. Something unfamiliar.

Cindy describes what it looks like to push ourselves and the potential successes and personal gains we could realize. But she also acknowledges the societal and workplace barriers that contribute to our self-doubt. Four big barriers come to mind: 1. Imposter syndrome, 2. Double standards, 3. Perfectionism, and 4. The glass ceiling. So how do we overcome these barriers to take a chance to develop our skills in a new area? Cindy talks about exactly how to confront self-doubt and barriers to see what we’re actually made of. 

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Guide to Boosting Your Confidence
• Astronomic Audio
• Confidence Collective

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Contact Cindy Esliger 

Career Confidence Coaching: website | instagram | facebook | linkedin | email

Cindy Esliger talks about reinvention and asks the question “What if who we are not isn’t who we need to be to achieve our dreams?”. Reinvention may be more a necessity than a possibility when we consider that in a changing world, we need to continue growing, thriving, and finding fulfillment. But exactly how do we do that? Cindy shares her guide to reinventing yourself with us. 

Reinvention challenges us to step beyond the boundaries of our old selves and explore the potential that lies beyond our comfort zones. When we find ourselves in a state of dissatisfaction or desperation with our careers, getting out of the stagnation sometimes requires that we embrace change despite how scary it feels. Reinvention is a process we should embrace and Cindy details exactly why it’s the key to advancement.

Cindy outlines the three key phases of reinventing ourselves: 1) Laying the foundation where we recognize where we’re starting from, 2) Creating the plan where we take dreams and identify the gaps in our knowledge, and 3) Putting the plan into action. She explores exactly how to lay the right foundation to support reinvention and how to commit to stepping outside our comfort zones. Her advice on how to not backslide into our old identities includes 1) Staying vigilant, 2) Surrounding ourselves with support, and 3) Celebrating our progress. This is an essential episode for learning what reinvention requires so we can finally achieve our dreams.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Guide to Reinventing You
• Astronomic Audio
• Confidence Collective
• Episode 35: Job Crafting

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Contact Cindy Esliger 

Career Confidence Coaching: website | instagram | facebook | linkedin | email

Cindy Esliger explores the difference between acting tough and demonstrating strength. They’re not the same thing, though women in male-dominated fields often put up a facade of invincibility in an attempt to appear strong. True strength is in our ability to confront challenges and make decisions that align with our values. Cindy breaks down exactly what a tough exterior prevents that true strength cultivates. 

Showing off mental toughness with a gritty exterior and emotions in check is not strength, it’s just an exhausting show that ultimately wears us down and keeps us anxious and in check for fear of seeming weak. True strength lies in recognizing struggles and admitting them, at least to ourselves, and in cultivating the ability to be honest. Cindy counters the tough exterior messages we get from the world at large with detailed examples of what real strength actually looks like. 

When we show true strength, we are prioritizing our well-being and following things that align with our values and passions. The tough act does not allow us to change direction or admit burnout which is why it ultimately leads to unsustainable demands. Cindy understands how we’ve been conditioned but she explains exactly how true strength flies in the face of this societally expected toughness. Strength is in knowing when to ask for help, finding balance, and embracing the growth that comes only from our imperfections.  

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Guide to Demonstrating Your Strength of Character
• Astronomic Audio
• Confidence Collective

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Contact Cindy Esliger 

Career Confidence Coaching: website | instagram | facebook | linkedin | email

Cindy Esliger addresses change in this episode. Change is necessary to alter our career trajectories and meet our goals. But change also demands more than just ambition: it requires intention, perseverance, and the non-linear reality of doing things differently. It also requires facing things like systemic challenges and internal obstacles. Cindy offers guidance through the difficult, messy, and powerful subject of change.

One of the important points Cindy stresses is that change isn’t something that happens to us, it’s something we must actively pursue. It’s more than simply moving from point A to point B, it’s about taking control of our career and steering it ourselves. To help illustrate how to make significant life changes, Cindy explores the Stages of Change model developed in the early 1980s as a tool to describe behavioural change for addiction. It names the six stages of change as pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse, which Cindy unpacks.

Making a lasting change often feels like being in a labyrinth without a clear view of the exit. We will hit dead ends, take wrong turns, and sometimes find ourselves back where we started. However, none of those setbacks mean we’re on the wrong path. It’s just that setbacks are part of the process of change. Cindy shares four strategies for navigating change, how to accept that the decision to change will require sustained and flexible effort, and why it will be worthwhile in the end. 

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Guide to Embracing the Power of Change
• Astronomic Audio
• Confidence Collective

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Contact Cindy Esliger 

Career Confidence Coaching: website | instagram | facebook | linkedin | email

Cindy Esliger talks about conquering the voice in our head that tells us we’re not ready for the career spotlight or big goal we’ve been working towards. Those excuses, while comforting in the short term, ultimately just hold us back from reaching our potential. But how do we confront those fears and step out of our comfort zones to claim the career success we know we actually deserve? That’s what Cindy will guide us through today.

There are a lot of reasons we have for not achieving our career ambitions at the moment. The excuses are plentiful and there’s always something we can point to that’s keeping us static. But the truth is that those excuses are what we use to protect us from the potential judgment or failure that stepping out on a limb may bring. Cindy knows we’re ready for the career spotlight and it’s time for us to take action to reach it. Time to meet the challenge and do something a little bit uncomfortable.

Cindy lists the four most common excuses for avoiding growth: 1) Comfort in familiarity, 2) Fear of rejection and failure, 3) The need for external validation, and 4) Waiting for the perfect moment. She then details three tips to help us break free from these excuses: 1) Do a self-assessment, 2) Take the first step, and 3) Make it about others. She elaborates on each step with sound advice. Our dreams are valid and we have every right to pursue them. Cindy wants to guide us into stepping up to achieve them instead of holding back out of fear.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Guide to Eliminating Your Excuses
• Astronomic Audio
• Confidence Collective

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Contact Cindy Esliger 

Career Confidence Coaching: website | instagram | facebook | linkedin | email

Cindy Esliger talks about the transformative power of vulnerability that we often find difficult to embrace in this episode. Our natural instinct in the workplace is to keep our guard up, to protect ourselves from judgment and criticism. But vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, it’s a key to growth and connection. Cindy outlines how to start seeing vulnerability in a different light so we can unlock that growth in our careers. 

It’s understandable that in a world seemingly thriving on jumping on exploiting our missteps we’d be guarded and protect our self-worth. But paradoxically the natural reaction of being wary and guarded to make ourselves feel secure is the same thing holding us back in our efforts to protect ourselves from judgment. Vulnerability builds trust. And trust is the key to a workplace where everyone can contribute and grow together. Cindy describes just how vulnerability can unlock our greatest potential with advice on how to be vulnerable with awareness.  

Guardedness is skepticism. The skeptic in our lives may convince us to stay home Friday night to avoid anything bad happening. And sure, we’re safe, but we also don’t get to do anything. We don’t have any adventure. Curiosity, on the other hand, isn’t about reckless abandonment but rather opening our minds to exploration and seeing questions as opportunities. Curiosity lends to vulnerability and is a great asset in the workplace. Cindy unpacks all the ways in which being too protective limits us and shares four tips for embracing vulnerability in our professional lives. Her guidance will help us become more open to the growth potential around us.  

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Guide to Embracing Vulnerability
• Astronomic Audio
• Confidence Collective

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Contact Cindy Esliger 

Career Confidence Coaching: website | instagram | facebook | linkedin | email

Cindy Esliger explores the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. The right relationships can fuel growth, support, and challenge you to reach new heights, while the wrong ones may hinder your progress. Being selective in professional relationships requires choosing quality over quantity. Cindy encourages listeners to consider who they allow into their inner circle. She encourages finding trusted truth-tellers who offer honest feedback and alternative perspectives. She also highlights the importance of finding those people who share a growth mindset and are invested in your success.

While the topic of ending relationships can bring up anxiety and fear, Cindy examines the positive impact of distancing yourself from problematic people. This doesn’t mean throwing aside commitments or cutting people out cold turkey. Instead, thoughtfully pruning relationships that no longer serve a purpose can break the cycle of having them drain your energy or stagnate your growth. 

Cindy also warns against the lingering influence of negative voices from the past, advocating for discernment when it comes to whose advice you follow. Ultimately, Cindy advises being mindful of the people you allow into your life, ensuring they inspire growth and align with your personal and professional goals. 

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Building your inner circle
• Astronomic Audio
• Confidence Collective

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Contact Cindy Esliger 

Career Confidence Coaching: website | instagram | facebook | linkedin | email

Cindy Esliger addresses difficult conversations in this episode: those dreaded conversations that involve challenging subjects or conflicts that need resolving. We would often prefer to avoid them but they’re necessary for preventing larger difficulties and problems down the road. Hard discussions are a part of growth and resolution and can’t be avoided forever. So learning to navigate difficult conversations like a pro is the easiest way to deal with their inevitability.  

Avoiding difficult conversations will only make the issue worse in the future and addressing things early can prevent a much larger blow-up later. But broaching the subject is tough. We’re often afraid to address the problem and initiate the hard talk out of fear that we may make things worse. Cindy shares five tips for approaching these situations without making them worse: 1) define the problem, 2) identify what is wanted before starting the conversation, 3) decide how to address it, 4) stick to the facts and feelings, and 5) use the power of validation. 

Cindy explains that while not every problem has a solution, addressing the tension is still important. She advises asking ourselves “Do we need to solve this problem or do we need to solve how we feel about this problem?”. Shifting perspective from finding a resolution to managing emotions and reactions to the problem can sometimes be more productive. Regardless of solutions, starting a difficult conversation is the most courageous thing we can do and will put us on a path towards fixing certain issues and forging stronger relationships. Cindy is here to shine a light on exactly how to navigate this rocky terrain.  

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Guide to Finding the Courage to Address Any Issue
• Astronomic Audio
• Confidence Collective

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Contact Cindy Esliger 

Career Confidence Coaching: website | instagram | facebook | linkedin | email

Cindy Esliger discusses closing the gap between where we are in our careers and where we want to be in this episode. She looks into using the discontent we can feel in our careers, sometimes unsettling and distracting, as a catalyst for advancement. Harnessing our professional discontent requires a careful strategy so we can use it to strive for a higher standard of excellence. Cindy breaks down exactly what is needed to channel it properly and guides us through how to bridge the gap we see.

It may be surprising to learn that the discomfort we feel when looking at the gap between where we are and where we want to be is natural. It’s actually necessary to keep us striving for excellence. But Cindy cautions that there is a balance between unhealthy anxiety and healthy discontent. She urges us to challenge the traditional narratives of success and define what is important to us. Setting a deliberate pace to cross the gap will change the trajectory of our careers more than a grand gesture. And there are three main types of gaps to close: 1) the effort gap, 2) the skill gap, and 3) the quality gap.

Cindy explains what it takes to close each gap and what to expect in terms of overcoming complacency and feeling discomfort. Finding balance and making strategic choices is key. We will hit obstacles as we move towards our goals and sometimes will feel stuck. When we are, Cindy unpacks five strategies for getting unstuck: 1) divide and conquer, 2) set micro-goals, 3) seek feedback, 4) focus on learning, not failure, and 5) assess progress. Join Cindy as she sets out a plan for how to bridge the gap on our career paths to success. 

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Guide to Propelling Yourself Forward
• Astronomic Audio
• Confidence Collective

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Contact Cindy Esliger 

Career Confidence Coaching: website | instagram | facebook | linkedin | email