No confidence at work is holding me back

[update2]

Please can you give me your best 'fake it til you make it' confidence tips for work?

I have worked in the same field for 7 years and in that time I've made some good side-step moves to different companies but I've never worked up the ladder. I've pretty much stayed at the same 'level' all this time and I know this is because I lack confidence, so I tend to get on with my job and settle into a comfortable routine rather than pushing myself forward enough to move up.

All while I am seeing my friends and people I know move up into senior roles in their fields with brilliant salaries and great prospects. I am mid-30s and starting to feel like I'm being left behind and I know I am the only one who can change it.

I started a new job just before Xmas at a big company with lots of opportunities for progression and I told myself this time would be different. I had a couple of weeks to settle in before xmas break but now I go back tomorrow and I need to really get started.

For example my role involves organising events. These are small-scale for an existing audience of people within the organisation's community - so nothing major! I basically need to just use my own initiative for what to organise and when and just get on with it and I need to do my first one this month.

But I am still finding myself putting it off, questioning every decision I make, waiting for someone to tell me what to do - but this is MY job! I am the one who should be making these decisions and informing others what will be happening!

So AIBU to think I can fake confidence until it feels real, and can I ask for your tips on how to do it

I think your best bet is to get a mentor in your field of work, but who works in another organisation so they can advise on the task aspect of the role and how to shape it.

Then get a sponsor (or three) in the organisation who look out for you, coach you, and promote you to other people to build support for an upwards move.

Also think about how you demonstrate your confidence to others rather than just being more confident which is incredibly difficult to change.

Thank you, I think the mentor idea could really help me so will be looking into that this week as I think it would give me the kick I need to make change

I fully agree it's how you show your confidence and I'm always so conscious of coming across as unconfident - which makes me lose confidence even more! I'd give anything to have be born with more natural confidence

I think just remember that everyone feels like that. Having people who have your back at work helps. Also realising confidence does not equate to competence.

Pushing yourself up the ladder means putting yourself out of your comfort zone. Maybe ask why you don't want to make the decisions about the events you organise. Is it because you fear being challenged over a decision you've made?

My advice is get uncomfortable. We are not all perfect, we make mistakes ans just accept that you will occasionally get things 'wrong'.