Build your CONFIDENCE

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. If you have confidence in yourself, others will too.

         Some people are self motivated; others are motivated by set-backs and become stubborn and become determined to succeed.

         Confidence comes from a feeling of well being – it’s a state of mind. Confidence comes from positive thinking, training and knowledge.

Five of the best tips to build your confidence

* Accept new challenges

         Never decline a job because you are not sure if you can do it. How will you know until you try? Give things a go!

* Master new skills

         Continually upgrade your skills and learn new ones, especially communication skills, such as networking and public speaking.

         Perform in public by joining a debating or a Toastmasters club, a drama group, or a choir.

         Study, attend summer schools or take night classes.

         Internet study courses are well worthwhile to learn new skills at a pace that suits you.

* Try new things

         Join clubs or worthwhile voluntary organisations.

         You can gain new skills outside your work by taking on responsibilities in social, service organisations or in sports clubs.

         Make an effort to meet new people and chat to them. Ask them leading questions, such as “Where did you grow up?” , “Where did you go to school?” , “Who do you work for?” and so on. It will help build your confidence by meeting and chatting with others. Networking is very important.

* Learn from your mistakes

         Treat mistakes as lessons learned. Self evaluation is a great way to build skills to gain confidence. “What mistakes did I make?” “How can I do it better next time?”

         Set yourself a goal. Keep it simple. Build your self-esteem as you advance towards success.

* Travel to foreign countries

         Travelling will help build confidence because you will be challenged into all sorts of unusual situations.

         Attend international conferences and events. Maintain online contacts with interesting people you meet.

         Be brave,  ask questions at conferences.

         When you travel you will see the world through new eyes and gain confidence. You are a representative of your country so you are forced to act with confidence.

         Life’s battles don’t always go to the strongest or the fastest person, but sooner or later the person who wins is the one who thinks they can. To succeed, you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality.

Geoffrey Moss

“As your confidence increases your competence increases.”

 SOURCE: “Secrets for Success. This book could change your life”. First published by Moss Associates Ltd, New Zealand and by Cengage Learning Asia. Also available as an e-book from Amazon.com.