What are some things that you do to increase your self-confidence so that you take more risks in life?
Sometimes I don’t apply for high-level jobs that technically speaking, I am qualified for, because I have a sense of not being "good enough." I don’t submit articles to profitable markets for the same reason.
Tagged with: jobs • profitable markets
Filed under: Article Marketing
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Oh my, Absynthian, I LOVE THAT BOOK. Michelle, you should read it today. You need to understand "If it is to be it is up to me" and "Life is what your thoughts make it" (Marcus Aurelius) and "As a man (or woman) thinks in his (or her) heart, so is he (or she)." You are the master and creator of your lifes outcomes along with God who is always on your side, girlie!! You should consider joining Toastmasters. There you will be part of a family all pulling for and developing the best you you can be. Find a club near your home at http://www.toastmasters.org . AFFIRM yourself…read a book or two…go to http://www.amazon.com
and search Self-Confidence and Business. Read the reviews and make some purchases. Want me to mail you a few of my books I have that helped me (I was gonna sell them, but you can have them if you like)? Just Do It!! I’m excited about your future. You just need support and encouragement. Peace.
It may be that you’re a perfectionist and you don’t want the pressure of working in a new position or under new conditions where you’ll be exposed to new variables (and hence might do less than perfect work).
If that’s an issue for you, then look around you at the work of others. You’ll see a lot of half-assed work, and you’ll probably realize that you could do at least as well as those other people. You should learn that it’s okay to be less than perfect, and that there’s leeway for mistakes. You may feel like you’re on a tightrope at times, but you’re not. There are always double-checks and safety nets. Just be honest with your new or prospective boss about where you might be vulnerable in terms of job skills, and the boss should help you find ways to cover yourself and/or cross-train.
When I was in the military, I was increasingly pushed into a lot of leadership positions with responsibility that I really didn’t want. But the experience was good. I screwed up at times, but I also learned that there was a lot of leeway for screwing up. Meantime, it was liberating because the increasing responsibility gave me increasing control over my work environment and increasing job satisfaction.
So maybe you should just start applying for things and see what happens. The worst thing that can happen is that you’ll screw up. And from that, you’ll learn that screw-ups are survivable.
Good luck!
[Added later:]
Also, as others mentioned above, seek out a mentor or a model. When you move into a new position of leadership or responsibility, work with your new boss. Give your new boss daily reports and ask for feedback so that he or she can mentor you a bit or provide resources you might not be aware of. If that’s not possible, then think back to a good boss you once had and model yourself after that person for a while. Wear that boss’s face like a mask for a while until you have the confidence to move beyond it and develop your own style. As Superfly mentioned above, everyone fakes it the first time around. A good way to fake it is to wear the mask of someone you admire.
You have to get over your fear of rejection. Check out Don Miguel Ruiz book the Four Agreements. He’ll tell you it’s not about you, when someone rejects you ( or your work) it’s about them at that moment, it really has nothing to do w/ you. Once you accept this, it becomes easier to take risks.
i had trouble finding a new job and i started taking capoeira to feel like i was doing something new. it was great, i took some risks in a recreational way and met some great people. i learned that i can take on new situations and surprises in life, that i can learn skills that i thought weren’t "my thing". maybe if you take some risks in other areas of your life you will discover how capable you really are. (but go ahead and take some risks with your job search, too! i’m sure you are a great candidate.)
HEY IM JUST A NOBODY BUT SOMETIMES I THINK ABOUT HOW MY FRIENDS MADE IT THROUGH TOUGH TIMES AND NOW ARE SITTING PHAT LIKE ALBERT. SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO BE A DARE DEVIL.
Imagine the type of person you would have to be to be successful in that job, or the qualities of mind you would have to have to write for these profitable markets. What is the difference between you and this imagined person? Probably not much, and the difference can be just a matter of believing in yourself.
Ken Atchity says everyone has to fake it the first time around.
Look at yourself in the mirror. Do you like yourself? If not, you need to correct that. If you don’t like yourself, why would anyone else like you? Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and make sure you look good. Do you look like someone you would want to speak to or be friends with? If not, fix that problem first.
Just do it. I was always brought up to believe that ‘you can do ‘anything’ if you really set your mind to it’
I have never forgotten it.