Self-confidence is one's account of his ability to meet challenges successfully in a certain area of life. Everyone experiences an occasional setback. A problem occurs, however, when one loses self-confidence in response to such an obstacle. A person who feels diminished tends to focus even more on things that he feels less confident about. This is an instinctual act of self-preservation. The mind draws itself to situations that have caused us damage, either physically or emotionally, in attempts to avoid such harm in the future. But by deliberately enforcing measures that enhance confidence, one can override self doubt and achieve a greater self of well-being.
Positive Projection
All growth moves through discomfort and involves a letting go of the familiar for that which is unknown.The mental rehearsal technique is one used by top performers in every industry as a tool for reducing anxiety associated with an upcoming event. This involves playing out the situation in your mind. The key is to see yourself acting flawlessly at every step--saying the right things, making the right moves, projecting the kind of confidence and charisma you desire. Replay the scene many times in this way. Each time you create the scenario, make the other parties involved respond to you differently. By doing this, you practice being ready with an appropriate reply for anything that might come up. You may still experience a good deal of apprehension at first, and this is normal. The intention is to continually place yourself mentally into the situation you fear, until you can do so comfortably. When you enter the actual event, your mind will already have a sense of familiarity with the occasion.
Accomplishment Log
Dedicate a medium-sized notebook to compiling an accomplishment log. This is an account of all the things that you have done right throughout the course of a day. Just before going to sleep, jot down all of your waking hour successes. Everything counts; activities such as making a wonderful breakfast or organizing your work space are prime examples. Do this not only to become mindful of things you do well, but to remind yourself of being a productive and worthwhile individual as you end the day. This leaves a positive imprint on your self-image as you rest. Read the list again in the morning. This will start your day on a positive note and guide your mind toward more experiences to place on the list.
Moniter Your Self-Talk
Author and creator of the "Chicken Soup For the Soul" series, Jack Canfield, says that "What happens to us doesn't diminish us, it's what we tell ourselves afterwards." Humans aspire to attribute meaning to events that occur in our lives. Very often we see undesirable circumstances as reflections of what we are capable of as individuals, as opposed to our ability to perform in the moment. We stamp this belief into the mind by making internal statements about occurrences in our lives. For most people, this has become an automatic process, happening so quickly as to escape conscious awareness.
Become attentive to the things you tell yourself. When you begin to feel anxious, slow down the process and ask "what is it that I am believing about myself in this moment?" If nothing comes up right away, keep asking. Eventually, you will get answers. Responses such as "It's not OK for me to make a mistake" or "I don't deserve to have this" are common. Next, you can directly challenge the belief that has kept you locked into that response. Emotions originate in thought. Within every bad feeling you experience, there is a belief about yourself or the world around you that has brought it forth. This exercise helps you to bring these notions to the surface and eliminate self-doubt at its cause.
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