Believe in yourself

The first and most important skill each and every one of us should learn, if we are to have any chance of bettering our lives and reaching our dreams, is to develop a strong positive belief in ourselves are responsible for who we ultimately become and what we eventually achieve in life. Indeed, a positive self-belief is a prerequisite for achieving anything and everything in life.

Self-belief, self-confidence, self-esteem, whatever you call, it when you believe in yourself life becomes much, much easier. You achieve more, you have less anxiety and you grasp opportunities as they arise. It is a wonderful feeling when you know you can stand by your decisions, rely on yourself in difficult situations and overcome obstacles. There are times when we believe in everything and everybody but ourselves. There is a constant search for mentors and role models when they exist within us.

The most brutal beating that we take is the one that we inflict upon ourselves. We make one mistake and we count ourselves out before the referee can blow the whistle. We beat ourselves down into a state of depression. Depression is a dark and dreary place where we drink tears for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We tend to use our carnal mind, eyes and ears that are distorted during this dark time.

Assumptions Influencing Self-Confidence

In response to external influences, people develop assumptions; some of these are constructive and some are harmful. Several assumptions that can interfere with self-confidence and alternative ways of thinking are:

ASSUMPTION: I must always have love or approval from every significant person in my life”

ALTERNATIVE: This is a perfectionistic, unattainable goal. It is more realistic and desirable to develop personal standards and values that are not completely dependent on the approval of others.

ASSUMPTION: I must be thoroughly competent, adequate, and achieving in all important areas of my life

ALTERNATIVE: This again is a perfectionistic, unattainable goal and suggests that personal worth is determined by achievement. Achievement can be satisfying but does not make you more worthy. Instead, worth is an inherent quality and all people possess it.

ASSUMPTION: My past remains all important and control my feelings and behaviours in the present

ALTERNATIVE: While it is true that your confidence was especially vulnerable to external influences during your childhood, as you grow older you can gain awareness and perpective on what those influences have been . In doing so, you can choose which influences you will continue to allow to have an affect on your life. You don’t have to be helpless in the face of past events.

Use the tips below to build and maintain your confidence and you will surprise yourself at what you can achieve,

SEEK SUPPORT: Surround yourself with people and friends who lead a healthy lifestyle and peer group pressure will have you copying them in no time. A bad influence in your lifestyle can undo all your hard work and leave you feeling depressed and confused.

HANDLE CHALLENGES: Most people will hit a plateau after 4-6 weeks of training. This is where your results slow to a halt and weight loss stops. Don’t panic, this is normal and it is our body’s way of preparing itself for the next weight loss phase. Discipline, consistency and staying positive will see you over this hurdle and back on tract again.

VISUALISE YOUR NEW BODY: Think about how you would like to look and reply this over and over in your mind. Elite athletes use this technique to create success in their mind. Elite athletes use this technique to create success in their mind and to assist with that ‘winning edge’. By picturing your new body in your mind, you will change your mindset and your emotional state.

STAY CALM: Stress can lead to overeating, alcohol binges and fatigue. Indulge yourself with spa treatments, yoga, pilates and massage to help you stay in control.

FOCUS ON THE POSITIVES: If you overeat on the wrong foods, learn from your mistake and move on. It’s important to focus on all the improvements you have made in your lifestyle to help you stay on track and be successful.

THINK OF WAYS YOU CAN BE YOUR BEST

FOCUS ON YOUR STRENGTHS NOT YOUR WEAKNESSES

REMIND YOURSELF OF WHO YOU ARE BECOMING

HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF AND KNOW IT WILL HAPPEN.

CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO BE ALL YOU CAN BE, MORE SO THAN YOU’VE EVER BEEN

ENCOURAGE YOURSELF TO KEEP GOING, KEEP BUILDING THIS NEW YOU.

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SUCCESSES

BE UNCONDITIONALLY CONSTRUCTIVE

ALLOW YOURSELF TO ACHIEVE GREATNESS

TAKE A STAND FOR THE SUCCESS YOU DESERVE

As your belief if yourself expands, any problems and challenges you face will lose their sense of power.