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.
© Copyright 2005 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life
success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second
Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories,
motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in
your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting
http://AchieveEzine.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/
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