After World War II, a small group of people gathered with its leaders in a burnt-out departmental store in devastated Tokyo. They had nothing but the strong belief that they could develop technologies that would help rebuild Japan's economy, which had been destroyed by the war. Those twenty people had the conviction that even though Japan did not have sufficient natural resources, it did have the necessary people-power.
The company they founded amid the debris was Sony, an immense success story today. What kept Akio Morita, the CEO of Sony Corporation, going was the Power of Self-confidence.
Self-confidence is an attitude which helps to build a positive and realistic perception of ourselves and our abilities. It is about expressing our assertiveness, optimism, enthusiasm, affection, pride, independence and trust. Though we may be inspired in a moment to achieve something great in life, self-confidence is not built overnight. It is the affirmation and reaffirmation of positive and self-empowering beliefs. Our self-confidence is shaped by what we repeatedly tell our subconscious mind.
The law of self-confidence says that whatever you believe with certainty will become your reality. If you repeat something over and over to yourself, your subconscious mind starts believing it to be real. It cannot distinguish between positive and negative things. If you say to yourself I can't', it will believe it; if you say Yes, I can', it will believe that too.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.' C.W. Longenecker
All great achievers, all self-made millionaires and anyone who ever achieved anything worthwhile started with self-doubt. Most of us begin with doubt and an inferiority complex. Every man or woman who has ever achieved anything worthwhile went through a phase where they had little or no confidence. But they did not give up. With courage and faith in themselves, they one day set out on the long journey towards their goal.
Be it an interview, an examination, an instance of public speaking or anything else, you can feel' the situation you are about to faceand, more important, prepare yourself for itbeforehand. The more you put yourself in real-life situations, the more your confidence will grow and the better your performance will be. So practise, practise, practise and your self-confidence will get a boost.
Self-confidence is formed through positive beliefs. Self-confidence comes through repetitive affirmation. It is strengthened by positive thoughts that give us courage and confidence to do things right. As you start believing in yourself, your self-confidence builds up.
Two Action Steps:
Step 1: Say to yourself daily in the morning as you get up: I'm building upon my self-confidence today and feel myself changing and improving each day.
Step 2: Say to yourself daily before going to sleep: I dream and have confidence in my dreams. I believe I can fulfil my dreams.
Success Mantra: Have full confidence in your powers. Keep telling yourself that your future will evolve just the way you want it toand that this will happen sooner rather than later.
You can become great! by 2010 Shishir Srivsatava, Author, Motivational Speaker and Peace Educator
