7 Key Steps to
Unshakable Confidence
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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