CONFIDENCE Building –

       Many young people leave school today and take a gap year before they go to university, or learn a trade. They lack the confidence to leave home to become independent and take their place in the world.       

       Self-confidence can be practiced, learned, and mastered like any other skill.        We need experiences to build and gain confidence.     Some people are self-motivated by their environment, others are motivated by setbacks and become determined to succeed.

       Never forget you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

A Handful of Tips to improve your confidence

* Accept new challenges

       Take on a mundane job in a supermarket or in the hospitality industry.

       Learn to deal with people and money.

        Never decline a job because you are unsure if you can do it. How will you know until you try?

       Become ambitious. Dream where you would like to go. Set your goals. It’s never too early to start. Ambitious people go far.

       Never be afraid to seize any sensible opportunity. Experiences and qualifications are easy to carry around.

       Grasp every opportunity even if you are not sure if you have the ability to succeed.

* Master new skills

       Continually upgrade your skills and learn new ones, especially communication skills.

       Perform in public by joining a debating or Toastmasters club, a drama group, or a choir. Build up your confidence.

       Study, attend summer schools, or take night classes. Internet study courses are well worthwhile to learn new skills at your pace.  

*  Join up

       Try new things.

       Join clubs or worthwhile voluntary organizations. 

       Gain new skills outside your work by taking on social, service, or sports club responsibilities.

* Master meeting skills

       Most organizations have meetings and use some form of parliamentary procedures with secretaries, minute takers, chairman, etc.

       Join clubs and organizations outside your work you can learn new skills and make use of them at work. 

       If you learn how to delegate jobs to others, run a meeting and become a skilled communicator, you will go far.

*Travel

       Travelling is one of the best ways to build your confidence

       When traveling in strange countries you will be challenged into all sorts of unusual situations. You will see the world through new eyes and gain confidence in your own ability to cope with abnormal events after you return home.

       Meeting new people will help build your confidence.

       Successes breed success and help builds our self-esteem.

       Concentrate on these tips, they could help change your life.

–Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)

“When 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.