Discover the Key to Self-confidence
"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important
key to self-confidence is preparation" - Arthur Ashe
Self-confidence is necessary for success
As Arthur Ashe says preparation is an important key to
self-confidence. And preparation can be achieved by using the
goal setting tool of questions. Asking questions, that is, doing
research, can enable you to become proficient in whatever
subject or area you want you to.
Self-confidence is necessary not only to achieve success with
our goals, but also to live a happier and contented life. When
we have self-confidence, we can overcome many of life's
obstacles easier. How then do we find the key to
self-confidence?
Identify the obstacle
Before you can work on gaining more self-confidence, you need to
clearly identify the area that is an obstacle for you not having
self-confidence. When you have identified the obstacle, you can
use a variety of goal setting tools to solve it. And yes, you
should undertake your development of self-confidence as a goal.
This way you can make positive progress, and have eventual
success. Can I share the following true story with you...
Having had over eight years experience in technical writing, but
lacking the industry software skills, I turned down positions as
result of a lack of self-confidence. It did not take any rocket
science for me to realize that I needed to become skilled in the
software that was being used in the industry.
The industry standards at the time were Microsoft Word and
CorelDRAW. If you are familiar with these software packages, you
know there are a myriad of features, and in technical writing,
many of these are used.
There was only one way I could master this software...
Use a step-by-step approach
Adopting a step-by-step approach is a practical tool for
reaching your goal, and a key to gaining self-confidence.
Before starting, you should determine as accurately as possible
as to what the steps are. This forms part of your preparation,
or research, in many cases. Become familiar with the subject
matter.
For me, the starting point was finding out what the most used
features were in producing technical documentation. Armed with
this knowledge, I could begin my step-by-step approach. Using
this approach I began with one or two features only, and I would
practice these until I could do it almost blindfolded. And from
there I would move onto the next feature or two.
This is similar if you want more self-confidence for public
speaking, starting your own business, or whatever other area in
your life.
Self-confidence will come
Using the one goal setting tool of a step-by-step approach, you
will become more knowledgeable, and as a result your level of
self-confidence will rise.
In using this tool, my self-confidence rose to the level where I
eventually lectured freelance at a leading computer training
school.
For the effective attainment of your goals, no single goal
setting tool should be used in isolation. Make it your goal
to... Identify the obstacle or obstacles that are preventing you
from having self-confidence. Do your research, and begin as soon
as possible to use the goal setting tool of a step-by-step
approach. Follow Arthur's advice of the key to self-confidence.