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by Steve Brunkhorst
Do you remember that day? Perhaps it was your first job
interview. Perhaps
you were speaking to a group for the first time.
Maybe you were starting a challenging new career or meeting a
special person for the first time. Your throat became dry and your
knees wanted to shake.
You were about to leave a place of mental and emotional safety. You
were putting your skills on the line and taking a risk. If you were
successful, there could be great reward. However, self-doubt was
trying to discourage you.
Confidence is essential in our lives; without it, we will not
make the first attempt to do what we really want. Confidence allows
us to move forward despite temporary discouragement. So where does
confidence come from, and how can we become and remain confident?
Here are seven actions that will help to develop unshakable
confidence.
1. Expand Your Knowledge
Gaining new skills for any endeavor - personal or career - is the
first step toward confidence. Identify key areas where you need more
confidence to be successful. Then expand your knowledge by taking
courses, reading books, and attending learning events. Tele-classes
are enjoyable and convenient for learning and discussing ideas with
a peer group. Continuous learning is essential for maintaining a
high level of confidence.
2. Experience Small Successes
Confidence also comes from experiencing small daily successes.
They are like rewards for putting knowledge into action. They may
not be the final goal. Yet they are important. Even a pat on the
back from a colleague or a compliment for a job well done will boost
a person's level of confidence. Keep track of each small success you
experience. You will begin to feel your confidence grow day by day.
3. Exercise Passionate Faith
Confident people have faith that the Creator has a special plan
for their lives. They appear to know inherently that when they
follow this plan, they will be successful. If you want to achieve
something, you absolutely must believe that it is possible for you.
You must believe firmly in your potential. A passionate faith will
lead you to find and follow that purpose.
4. Enable Firm Resolve
There will be disappointments and set backs. It is natural to
become discouraged at times. However, disappointments are not the
end of the road if we view them as learning tools.
Faith in your abilities will lead you past discouragement into a
firm resolve. Resolve overcomes obstacles because it displays
patience. Instead of giving up, you will meet challenges by
continuing through difficult times. Keep your mind on your intended
outcome, not on the obstacles. Think of reasons why you can, not
reasons why you cannot.
With time, talents develop and abilities grow. Then you will get
a taste of what is possible -- a measure of success that leads you
forward with enthusiasm. Enthusiasm keeps you fired up to achieve
more of those small daily successes.
5. Enlist Expert Help
Enlist the help of experts in areas where you need more
confidence. Experts can be found though books, articles, videos,
seminars, or via a phone call. A professional coach will help you
stay focused on your objectives and hold you accountable for taking
the necessary actions to complete your plans.
Confidence also attracts more confidence. Experts will support
your plans and offer to help you in tremendous ways if you are
enthusiastic and believe in your goals. Moreover, when you show
confidence in others, they will show confidence in you.
6. Envision Confidence
Envisioning confidence begins to make confidence real in your
experience. Imagine how you will feel and act if you already had the
confidence you need for a specific situation. See yourself in your
mind's eye, acting with courage and conviction. Hold that picture in
your mind, and your vision will start to become real.
7. Expect to be Confident
Expectation is faith in action. Now that you have imagined how
confidence will feel, act as if you were already confident. Move
assuredly and energetically as you go for your goals. You are now
seeing, feeling, and acting in a confident manner. You will achieve
what you expect. Expect to be confident, and you will become
confident.
Give yourself time to increase your confidence by using these
actions during the next several months. Get a sheet of paper now and
write down how you will apply each of these actions. They can make a
tremendous difference by allowing you to move more quickly and
assuredly toward your objectives. Today, you can begin developing an
unshakable confidence that will bring you joy and success in every
area of your life.
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