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Confidence / Confidence at Work / Lesson 29
LESSON 29 · CONFIDENCE AT WORK

Take on a Stretch Project

Thirty-two easy ways to take on a stretch project, a stretch that builds skills, trust and real confidence.

Growth lives just outside comfort. Step out with a plan.

40 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan
Start with tip 1
Jump to the 7-day plan

40 tips that really help

These ideas come from Lean In (Sheryl Sandberg), The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman), Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

Photo for the tip: Take on a stretch project
TIP 1

Take on a stretch project

Growth happens just outside your comfort zone. A stretch project is one where you feel a little unready but have support and time to learn. Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset suggests that tackling hard tasks builds ability, and you rarely feel fully ready before you start.

TRY THIS
Name one stretch project you could volunteer for this quarter.
Photo for the tip: Choose a project
TIP 2

Choose a project

Visible, doable.

TRY THIS
List three.
Photo for the tip: Check the fit
TIP 3

Check the fit

Skills, interest.

TRY THIS
Rate.
Photo for the tip: Check the support
TIP 4

Check the support

Mentor, team.

TRY THIS
Ask.
Photo for the tip: Check the time
TIP 5

Check the time

Realistic.

TRY THIS
Plan.
Photo for the tip: Check the risk
TIP 6

Check the risk

Manageable.

TRY THIS
Assess.
Photo for the tip: Say yes
TIP 7

Say yes

With a plan.

TRY THIS
Volunteer.
Photo for the tip: Ask for clarity
TIP 8

Ask for clarity

Scope, goals.

TRY THIS
Ask.
Photo for the tip: Start with a small win
TIP 9

Start with a small win

Quick.

TRY THIS
Choose.
Photo for the tip: Learn what's missing
TIP 10

Learn what's missing

Skills.

TRY THIS
Study.
Photo for the tip: Find a coach
TIP 11

Find a coach

Experienced.

TRY THIS
Ask.
Photo for the tip: Set milestones
TIP 12

Set milestones

Dates.

TRY THIS
Calendar.
Photo for the tip: Share progress
TIP 13

Share progress

Updates.

TRY THIS
Send.
Photo for the tip: Ask for feedback
TIP 14

Ask for feedback

Early.

TRY THIS
Ask.
Photo for the tip: Celebrate stages
TIP 15

Celebrate stages

Small.

TRY THIS
Mark.
Photo for the tip: Capture lessons
TIP 16

Capture lessons

Notes.

TRY THIS
Write.
Photo for the tip: Share results
TIP 17

Share results

Team.

TRY THIS
Present.
Photo for the tip: Plan next stretch
TIP 18

Plan next stretch

Continue.

TRY THIS
Choose.
Photo for the tip: Scene: leading a meeting
TIP 19

Scene: leading a meeting

Start small.

TRY THIS
Volunteer.
Photo for the tip: Scene: presenting
TIP 20

Scene: presenting

Prepare.

TRY THIS
Practise.
Photo for the tip: Scene: managing a project
TIP 21

Scene: managing a project

Plan.

TRY THIS
Start.
Photo for the tip: Scene: mentoring
TIP 22

Scene: mentoring

Offer.

TRY THIS
Try.
Photo for the tip: Scene: training others
TIP 23

Scene: training others

Teach.

TRY THIS
Prepare.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a new tool
TIP 24

Scene: a new tool

Learn.

TRY THIS
Experiment.
Photo for the tip: Scene: cross-team work
TIP 25

Scene: cross-team work

Collaborate.

TRY THIS
Connect.
Photo for the tip: Scene: client work
TIP 26

Scene: client work

Prepare.

TRY THIS
Practise.
Photo for the tip: Scene: an event
TIP 27

Scene: an event

Organise.

TRY THIS
Plan.
Photo for the tip: Scene: writing a report
TIP 28

Scene: writing a report

Draft.

TRY THIS
Share.
Photo for the tip: Scene: negotiating
TIP 29

Scene: negotiating

Learn.

TRY THIS
Practise.
Photo for the tip: Scene: fear
TIP 30

Scene: fear

Breathe.

TRY THIS
Step.
Photo for the tip: Scene: failure
TIP 31

Scene: failure

Learn.

TRY THIS
Retry.
Photo for the tip: Scene: success
TIP 32

Scene: success

Share credit.

TRY THIS
Thank.
Photo for the tip: Scene: overload
TIP 33

Scene: overload

Say no to something else.

TRY THIS
Trade.
Photo for the tip: Scene: doubt
TIP 34

Scene: doubt

Remember growth.

TRY THIS
Reflect.
Photo for the tip: Avoid too big
TIP 35

Avoid too big

Scale.

TRY THIS
Adjust.
Photo for the tip: Avoid too small
TIP 36

Avoid too small

Stretch.

TRY THIS
Push gently.
Photo for the tip: Avoid going alone
TIP 37

Avoid going alone

Support.

TRY THIS
Ask.
Photo for the tip: Be patient
TIP 38

Be patient

Skills grow.

TRY THIS
Keep going.
Photo for the tip: Celebrate
TIP 39

Celebrate

You stretched.

TRY THIS
Mark it.
Photo for the tip: Close with growth
TIP 40

Close with growth

Say, “A little uncomfortable is a good sign.”

TRY THIS
Write it.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.

VOLUNTEER

“I would like to lead that project.”

ASK

“What does success look like?”

PLAN

“Here is my plan for the first month.”

REQUEST

“Could I have a mentor for this?”

UPDATE

“Here is a quick progress note.”

CLOSE

“I learned a lot from this.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Pick the right project
DAY 2
Say yes with a plan
DAY 3
Ask for support
DAY 4
Break it into steps
DAY 5
Share progress
DAY 6
Handle wobbles
DAY 7
Review and learn

Further reading

  • Lean In (Sheryl Sandberg)
  • The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman)
  • Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

← All Confidence at Work lessons
Next lesson: Overcome Impostor Syndrome →

More lessons in “Confidence at Work”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

← Previous: Build Your Reputation QuietlyNext: Overcome Impostor Syndrome →

  1. Prepare Your Three Stories
  2. Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" Well
  3. Handle the Question You Fear
  4. Ask Great Questions Back
  5. Talk About Your Strengths Without Bragging
  6. Recover From a Bad Answer
  7. Follow Up With a Winning Note
  8. Speak in the First Ten Minutes
  9. Prepare One Point Before Every Meeting
  10. Disagree With a Colleague Kindly
  11. Handle Being Interrupted
  12. Share Credit and Claim Yours
  13. Speak Up in a Big Group
  14. Look Confident in Video Meetings
  15. Ask for Feedback Regularly
  16. Receive Criticism Without Crumbling
  17. Ask for a Raise With Evidence
  18. Share Ideas Without Fear
  19. Say No to Extra Work Politely
  20. Report Problems Early
  21. Show Your Value Every Month
  22. Introduce Yourself in a New Team
  23. Make Friends at Work
  24. Ask for Help Without Shame
  25. Handle a Difficult Colleague
  26. Stop Being the Office Pushover
  27. Celebrate Others and Be Celebrated
  28. Build Your Reputation Quietly
  29. Take on a Stretch Project
  30. Overcome Impostor Syndrome
  31. Lead Without a Title
  32. Give Your First Presentation
  33. Mentor Someone Newer
  34. Handle a Mistake at Work
  35. Set a Career Goal You Believe In
  36. Learn One New Skill Every Quarter
  37. Network Without Feeling Fake
  38. Say Yes to Opportunities That Scare You
  39. Protect Your Energy and Balance
  40. Your Confidence at Work Plan
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