Bridget Jones’ Diary, the popular novel by Helen Fielding that was adapted into a successful film series, has been cited as containing some important self-confidence lessons.
Written in 1996, the novel tells the story of 32-year-old publicity assistant Bridget, who is single and engaging, but worries about her weight and is desperately aware of her imperfections.
Working at a London publishing company, she often fantasises about her boss, Daniel Cleaver, who has a reputation for being a womaniser. Undeterred, Bridget agrees to date him, but a disastrous minibreak with Daniel, followed by the discovery of a naked woman at his flat, spurs her to end the relationship and leave her job. She begins a new job in television and then bumps into childhood friend Mark Darcy, a good-looking barrister, at a family party.
The tale revolves around Bridget’s challenges, often due to her lack of self-confidence, both in the office and in her personal life.
Three successful Bridget Jones films, released between 2001 and 2016, are endearing romantic comedies based on the books by Helen Fielding, following the love triangle between Bridget, Daniel and Mark, played by Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth respectively.
Bridget’s quirky ways of dealing with everyday life with humour and resilience have made her a popular character, as she has been lauded for being likeable and realistic.
Confidence in the workplace
Having self-confidence at work is important for success, something Bridget realises as she battles her own feelings of inadequacy.
Studies show confident employees exhibit other positive attributes, such as being more assertive and speaking and acting with more conviction. This in turn makes people take you more seriously, which can help to advance your career.
A confident person tends to push themselves more, engaging in challenging projects and moving out of their comfort zone. Setting goals at work is something we all must do, as it helps us to meet and achieve new challenges, which a characteristic every employer values.
Confident workers are also able to communicate more effectively, as they can speak with clarity and convey their views to co-workers, clients and managers with ease. Good communication is one of the keys to career success and advancement.
Studies show the top traits that companies look out for when interviewing new candidates, or promoting an existing employee, are enthusiasm, professionalism and skill, all of which come from having more confidence. This is something that’s important wherever you work, but when you’re based in a flexible environment, such as a serviced office, having the confidence to tackle new challenges and work under your own initiative can feel particularly liberating.
If you’re wondering how to increase confidence at work, taking tips from the Bridget Jones books and films can be a great place to start.
Embrace your flaws
Accepting and sometimes laughing at your imperfections can be liberating. We all have flaws, troubles and imperfections and no one can claim to be faultless, as this simply doesn’t happen.
Bridget learned how to embrace her own flaws and even laugh at herself, such as when Daniel left her in the lurch and she had to attend a party dressed as a bunny girl alone, when nobody else was in fancy dress!
While we can work on improving ourselves and attaining our hopes, goals and dreams, our lack of self-confidence shouldn’t prevent us from enjoying life in the present moment just as we are. This was shown in the film by the way Mark fell in love with Bridget just the way she was and she came to accept she deserved the unconditional love that he offered.
Perseverance in the face of setbacks
Successful entrepreneurs adopt the attitude that every failure is a learning opportunity that brings you closer to your goals. Even if you’ve had a few jobs or personal life experiences that have ended badly, never give up and learn from your mistakes.
Constructive feedback at work should be taken as it is intended: a positive piece of advice to help you to achieve greater heights and get on the career path to success.
However, when you’re simply not happy in your job and you feel your employer and colleagues don’t appreciate your worth, or if you’re in an unhealthy relationship and your partner continually lets you down, look for something better.
Bridget’s experiences with Daniel Cleaver show this is possible, as he impacts both her job and her personal life. Her response to the bad situation was to win a better job and start a new relationship with Mark, who was a man far more worthy of her affection.
Value of support systems
Never underestimate the power of a good support system when the going gets tough. Surround yourself with a supportive network that believes in you and builds your confidence, rather than with negative people who destroy your confidence.
In Bridget Jones’ Diary, our heroine scores a major scoop in her fledgling career in the media, with help from a good friend. It proves what can be achieved by reaching out for help when we need it, rather than sitting alone feeling as if we have the weight of the world on our shoulders.
If you feel low, do what Bridget would do and reach out for help, whether it’s to your team leader at work, or a good friend in your personal life, as this is the best pathway to recovering mentally and starting to succeed again.
Finding your voice
Confidence grows when you have the courage to express your true thoughts and feelings. Although it takes time, you will learn to find your voice eventually.
Initially in Bridget Jones’ Diary, no one really listened to Bridget or heard her views, as her lack of confidence often prevented her from being herself. At the start of the book, she comes across as overwhelmed and neurotic, which is why her boss Daniel finds it too easy to take advantage of her and whisk her away on a not very romantic weekend break. However, after reconnecting with Mark, she starts to realise her true worth. With her confidence growing throughout the film, she will never be a doormat to someone like Daniel again and instead walks out of her job and takes a better one, which she tackles with vigour.
Bridget as a character has been described as representing the gritty realities of modern life, both at work and at play. In fact, in today’s fast-paced environment, when people are living more of their life in the glare of social media, we need to adopt her characteristics of resilience and determination even more.
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