Confidence is a great friend. And believing in yourself can take you very far. But where does it start? How do you gain confidence?
Five things I learned along the way:
Think positive
Ask yourself: “What is the worst thing that could happen?” Very few things pose a real threat. Embrace the unknown. Believe in a great outcome. Believe in magic. There are too many great studies on self-fulfilling prophecies, you should not ignore the power of positive thinking. Confidence isn’t a character trait. It is the expectation of a positive outcome.
Take action
Action can restore and built confidence. Don’t just wait for things to fall in place. You will probably not get it right the first shot. You will need to make adjustments. But any action is better than no action. Confidence comes from hard work, dedication, and meticulous attention to detail.
Crystallize your goals
Prepare a clear plan how you will achieve your goals and set yourself a deadline. Then carry out your plan and stick to it passionately and doggedly. But make small plans. If you make them too big, you risk paralyzing yourself. If you make small plans and accomplish them, it will increase your confidence. Step by step you can dare dream bigger dreams.
Dare to be bold
People who ask confidently get more than those who are hesitant and uncertain. When you walk into a room act like you’re in charge. Be bold and confident. No need to be shy, yet be prepared for unexpected criticism, there will always be people who want to belittle your dreams. Trust your instincts.
Surround yourself with people who believe in you
People who want to see you succeed. They don’t need to have the same dreams as you do. They just need to appreciate you for who you are. Mutual respect paired with positive energy can create great synergy. Good vibes are contagious. Spend your energy on making the people around you happy and they will make you happy in return.
If I would have to reduce it to just 1 point, it most certainly is the last one. I can’t help but come back to my core belief:
Embracing yourself is wonderful but feeling embraced is awesome. It is the same with believing in yourself. Believing in yourself is great, but being surrounded by people that believe in you, is yet so much more powerful.
So go find people that look past your flaws and see greatness in you!
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