subject: If You Think You Can, You Can [print this page] If You Think You Can, You Can If You Think You Can, You Can
Where there is a will, there is a way, truly said by Kael (Pauline Kael). This is the mindset one should have to get success. Success is not the consequences of fate as most of the people think but the seeds of success hide in the soil of self confidence; needs nutrients of self belief and hard work for being fruitful. If you have faith in yourself self and think, "yes I can", than half of the battle is conquered because it is the state of mind of positive thinking. Magical things happen when you choose the mindset of positive thinking. Building of positive thinking is the key to success. Success happens from inside out. It is a way of life and it starts by listening to what that still small voice within you is saying. It is an eager anticipation of success. It includes and goes beyond intention, commitment, visualization and affirmation. Trusting yourself is a vital component to living and achieving success from inside out. You have all the answers inside you, the more you trust yourself the easier your life will flow. Henry Thoreau said that "Men are born to succeed, not to fail"
If there is a chance in a million that you can do something, anything, to keep what you want from ending, don't wait to open the door but raise your hand and open the door. It is the small beginning that is bound to be by a large and significant development. The only way to make strong people is through struggle. One grows tough mentally and spiritually by putting up a strong resistance to hardship, to obstacles, to suffering. This is the disciplinary value of a problem in the development of a person. It enhances his insights, his strengths and his general capability to live constructively.
The late Charles F. ("Boss") Kettering said "Do not bring me your successes; they weaken me. Bring me your problems; they strengthen me." If anybody calmly accepts a problem as part of the pattern of life and thinks that possibly it might be turned to his advantage, if at the same time he confidently believes himself to face it , then a healthy mental condition would seem indicated and it become true the principle that you can if you think you can.
Sometimes motivation comes in the form of hard knocks; we all face some tough experiences in our life. This causes some to fold up and give up but others to accept trouble as incentives and get motivated to do hard work. William A. Ward says it well: "Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records." Adversity is a motivational force that lifts strong people to higher levels.
"Self-trust is the first secret of success," declared Ralph Waldo Emerson. Always have a point in mind that self trust is the first secret of success. So trust yourself. Having self trust is a great deal of life. There is a need to learn how to believe in you. We have to practice creative anticipation, the power of positive expectation. Having confidence that you can draw the best, we tend to become as we see ourselves. So see yourself confidently. Never let any mistake cause you to stop believing in yourself. Learn from it and go on. If you've never really found yourself, do so. Then you'll start liking yourself with a good reason. Find and do what you love to do and harness the opportunity with inspiring vision and positive thinking. Don't lose heart while facing some difficulties. Go ahead with energy and never give up.
Mahatma Gandhi believed that we must be the change we want to see in the world. This was well demonstrated when he helped India gain its independence. Gandhi was a revolutionary man, but he accomplished India's emergence as a nation without starting a revolution. He has inner strength, revolutionary vision and faith in himself. Likewise, all significant changes throughout history have occurred as a result of the courage and commitment of individuals. You have a unique purpose and potential in the world, there is need to discover it. Believe that you can and will make a difference. Recognize the importance of your doing, your steps and your words because everything in the world has its unique place and everything matters; only need to have commitment for whatever you do. Learn to take personal responsibilities.
Teddy Roosevelt's timeless advice, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." It means for a new start there is no right time and situation but every moment and situation is right, needs to recognize your capabilities. Imagination becomes motivation for capable persons and everybody be capable first in his eyes or in his own imagination. If you want to change things to get success no doubtly you have to change first. We can't change others; we can only change ourselves. However, when we change, it changes everything and in doing so, we truly can be the change we want to see in the world.
"Self confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings", said Samuel Johnson. So think about how you see yourself. Self-confidence refers to assuredness in your own worth, abilities and power, regardless of the situation you are in. Someone who is self confident has a strong sense of belief and certainty in himself/herself. Self-confidence is often linked with possessing of certain knowledge, skillsets or abilities, whether it is acquired or innate. Lack of self-confidence is a crippling trait because it often limits you in your opportunities and reduces your chances of success. If you are a self-confident person, you do everything needed to achieve your goal. If you don't have the skills, you will acquire it. If you don't have the knowledge, you will learn it. If there is some problem, your confidence somehow taps into your subconscious for the solution. This sets you up for success, which subsequently enforces your self-worth, leading you on to more success. Even though you may have started out from the same spot as others, just having the self-confidence will take you much further than someone who does not have it. Thus, having self-confidence is an asset to you in life. Not only does it put you at a better and more positive emotional and mental state but also sets you up towards getting what you want. Having self-confidence enables you to fearlessly pursue your biggest dreams. It equips you to conquer your challenges.
There are some points helpful to increase your self-confidence as speaking confidently, being calm and composed, smiling, focusing on your strengths rather than weaknesses, repeating positive mantras and exposing yourself to inspirational materials. These actions are efficacious because they give you a self-confidence boost almost immediately after you do them. Further, working with your shortcomings that make you feel low in self-confidence is the more practical approach to increase self-confidence.
In our society we see that people who have a high level of competency in a certain area often develop a high self-confidence in that area as a result. It is a symbol of worth. Competencyin any field can always be developed via preparation, practice and experience. The key to developing competency is to acquire knowledge and repeatedly do it to the point of perfection. In any field of life it is true that practice makes a man perfect. Practice makes you so competent in concerned area that you become naturally self-confident in it. Thus, to work on your self-confidence is a permanent, long-term solution. Besides competency there are other symbols of worth and different people pursue different things in order to increase their sense of self worth. Some people want to become more attractive, some want to earn more money, some seek status symbols and titles and some people strive for success in everything they do.
Things like not having enough competencies, not being successful enough, etc, are actually just symptoms of the problem. The actual root of the problem is your belief that you need to be those things before you can experience self-worth. On the contrary to popular belief, someone with absolutely zero abilities, no past success and having poor perceptions by others can be self confident. Think about a symbol of worth to you. All the beliefs that we need to have certain skills, certain behaviors, etc to be confident have all been conditioned in the society, rather than being hard truths.
John Eliot said, "Confidence is not a guarantee of success, but a pattern of thinking that will improve your likelihood of success, a tenacious search for ways to make things work." Whenever you see any circumstances where you do not feel self-confident, try to find out the reason for it. When you become aware of what you are linking your worth to, start releasing yourself of that limiting belief that you can only feel worthy or confident in the face of certain prerequisites. When you do that, you will find yourself filled with a sense of self-worth which remains permanent regardless of what happens, leads you to outcomes your desire and bring you to become your greatest self. We have to learn from those people who set examples before us that how self confidence comes out from selfworth and will power. They inspire us how to live life with enthusiasm and optimism. While talking about will power we can't forget Hellen Keller; a truly inspiring icon. Having lost sight and hearing ability at a very young age, Helen learned to grapple with life's small and big struggles. Her indomitable spirit saw her through her handicap. She said,"Keep your face to sunshine and you cannot see the shadows".Sudha Chandran, despite amputation of one leg she has established herself in the film line and got a reputation as an ace dancer and actor. Dr. Stephen Hawking, despite having serious diseases, overcome all fears of dying and not being capable of continuing his research. Some may say he is a unique person with an extraordinary mind, but he is the real hero. Heroes are people who can overcome, or help others overcome, fear. They inspire others with these words, "If You Think You Can, You Can"
