Preliminary Steps to Developing Your Self Confidence
The first step in developing your self confidence is to conduct
an intelligent self-examination.
Poor self confidence is a like a disease, to be diagnosed as
carefully as any other sickness. Poor self confidence arises
largely from allowing your mind to habitually dwell upon
negative thoughts of doubt, failure, and inefficiency. This
negative power can become so great, that it affects almost every
aspect of your life.
However, when you have a firm, decisive, and positive
disposition, you will see how the space clears around you, and
leaves you room and freedom.
Confidence begets confidence! A strong self confidence will
often safeguard your interests and give you an abiding sense of
security. It makes you feel equal to almost any undertaking,
however difficult, leading you to think and believe that, "I can
conquer if I believe that I can."
Indecision is a frequent cause of the poor self confidence. Many
people hesitate to take a step one way or the other lest they do
the wrong thing, and this spirit of irresolution and hesitation
often leads them into the very mistakes they would avoid.
"He who hesitates is lost," while he or she who develops self
confidence grows great and puts on "the dauntless spirit of
resolution." The world generally accepts you at you own
valuation. If you give an impression that you aren't confident,
you will be imposed upon and taken advantage of at almost every
turn.
Let me illustrate...
The other day I saw a dog leisurely pass a cat on the street,
and to all appearance there was no ill feeling on either side.
The cat looked him straight in the eye as he approached, and the
dog returned her confident glance and quietly passed on.
Then the cat, seeing a good chance for escape, bolted across the
street, but the instant the dog saw her running he turned and
followed in hot haste. It was cat and dog for some yards, when
suddenly the cat stopped, humped her back and looked defiantly
at her adversary. He stopped, caught his breath, blinked
uncertainly, turned up his nose, and walked off.
As long as the cat showed fear and ran, the dog chased her; but
the moment she took her stand, he respected her. When you stand
up boldly and self confidently for your rights, fear slinks
trembling into the shadows.
When you enter upon a study of self confidence, resolve to
follow it to completion with bulldog tenacity. Realize that no
weak-hearted, intermittent efforts will achieve your desired
purpose. Hold before you the supreme assurance that you can and
will achieve this indispensable power, and great will be the
reward of your energy and perseverance.
The building of self confidence is not difficult, but it
requires patience and intelligent effort. By reading this
article, you have taken that all important first step!