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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.
Steve Brunkhorst may be contacted at http://www.achieveezine.com Click hereto view more of Steve Brunkhorst's articles. (C)
Copyright 2007 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life strategies coach, motivational
author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular ezine 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://www.AchieveEzine.com
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