There’s been a steep learning curve for many of us over the past few months as work moves increasingly online. I’ve talked to a few people who are starting to dip their toes into new areas, particularly around content creation and virtual facilitation. They’ve all expressed similar fears around finding their voice, getting to grips with the tech and worrying about what people will think.

Let me tell you a (not very well kept) secret — I’ve been writing on the web in some form for at least 15 years and I still get nervous every time I publish something.

It’s natural to feel fear or a lack of confidence, especially when trying something new. What matters is how we let those feelings affect us. Do they spur us on, or prevent us from moving forward?

Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help develop confidence and overcome fears when trying something new:

• What’s the worst that could happen if I do this?
• What are the consequences of not doing it?
• What could I do to test how it works in a low stakes way?
• In what areas of my life or work do I feel most confident? What can I learn or take from there to apply in this situation?
• Who can I ask for help/support/guidance?