Confidence is Critical

Whether building a business,  applying for a job, or interacting with friends, confidence is an essential factor in your success.  Confidence is believing in yourself or abilities. Your actions and behaviors are often influenced by your confidence level.  For example, if you believe that you are a good athlete, you will probably try a new sport without hesitation. However, if you feel that you are not a good student, you may shy away from anything that requires instruction and learning. Note in the examples, the positive confidence level moves one forward, whereas the low level causes the individual to back up. It becomes a cycle of either positive movement or withdrawal and stagnation. 

When you tell yourself you can or you can’t, you are right either way.  It is what you believe about yourself that makes you successful.  Do not feel that all is lost because you are not confident today. Confidence is a skill that can be developed. One method for developing confidence is using positive affirmations to retrain your self view and image. “I am” statements such as “I am confident” and “I am able to do great things” are excellent for transforming your confidence level. Tell yourself that you are able to do everything that you want to do and have to do to make your business or dream a success. #iambecauseisayiam

Create Something

Create Something.  There is nothing more exiting than the birth of a baby. The delivery room is the most unlikely place for intense joy. There are strangers, equipment, tears and pain but yet the appearance of a baby causes everything else in the room to fade to black, all that is seen is that precious birth that was created.  In the midst of the pain of bringing forth that promise, many moms vow to never do it again.  However, the pain is soon forgotten because of the joy of the birth.

What are you producing? It is the act of creating and bringing forth that gives life and energy.  The first blades of grass, the bud of the rose, and finished picture stir up feelings of hope and excitement. Imagine the designer of a new fragrance seeing the first bottle from the assembly line or the ribbon cutting at the architect’s new building, there is nothing sweeter.  You see the smiles, you hear the cheers, you smell the champagne and you taste the sweetness of success.

If you are feeling burned out and lethargic, it may be due to a lack of production and creativity. Even a body of water that is not flowing becomes stagnant and stinks.  Take a moment to stir up the gift of creativity. As you think of your dream, allow your mind to relax, and roam. Come up with different pathways, alternate answers and new endings. Now use the energy and excitement from the new place to fuel this next phase of the dream.

Manage Your Anger

Anger is one of the most powerful emotions that we experience.  The dictionary defines it as a strong feeling of displeasure aroused by a wrong or injustice. Although it is a normal emotion, there is always the potential that the response can be negative or unhealthy. Many physical and mental health disorders are related to prolonged anger. Therefore, failure to deal with anger in a positive and healthy manner can have major implications. 

Generally, when we mention anger management we are referring to preventing an outburst or the destruction that can be caused by rage. However, today we want to see it a little differently. Instead of simply controlling anger, why not be intentional with how you express it? I recommend using the anger to your benefit.

We have heard it said “send your enemy a thank you card”.  In the same manner, use the emotions to fuel your dream. For example, when you want to pay someone back for mistreating or wronging you, take that energy and pour it into your dream or your business. Ride off of that intense emotion to complete your marketing plan or acquire new investors. If you are angry enough, you can complete advanced degrees. Once you've reached your goal, let it go. Let success be the greatest resolution for your anger!

The Power of Journaling

Journaling is the practice of writing down thoughts, feelings, and experiences daily or on a regular basis. It allows you to put words to things that are not explainable, describe dreams and process incidents or things that have happened. The process of journaling allows you to review what you have written at a later point in time to review and gain an accurate perspective of the situation. For example, there are times when you may have journaled about a incident where you felt betrayed that your initial perspective is flawed because of the emotions of the moment. However, reviewing at a later time may give an accurate perspective, determine the cause of and alleviate some of the stress surrounding the incident. Journaling allows you to imagine, dream, plan and create what you see.

There have been a number of documented benefits associated with journaling.  For instance, journaling allows you to have better control of your emotions when dealing with stress, and anxiety.  It also helps you to see patterns of behaviors and triggers that can influence mood and actions.  Medical resesarch has found that stress has a direct negative impact on an individual’s physical health. Journaling about emotions and stressful events has been found to decrease the impact of the stressor and increase the immune system in several diseases. Journaling also provides documentation of personal growth, a record of wins and further opportunities for positive changes.

Note:

Journaling is not a substitute for mental health therapy but can certainly be used with formal therapy.  

Be a Finisher

We all have some things which are undone. Take a peak into a carpenter’s workshop, a cartoonist’s scribble pad or a seamstress’s work space, you’ll find many project’s waiting to be finished.  The projects represent many stages:  first draft, 10th try or changed mind. There may be some that will never be completed. The problem comes when the majority of things are left undone. Unfinished projects like any unfinished business can produce anxiety and stress.  Individuals may feel incompetent or frustrated because nothing is working.

The challenge today is to finish the project that causes you to wince at this article. There is the one item that produces a “Dang, I really need to do it”, that is the item, project, story, class, degree, certification, financing, business plan, etc. that you need to finish. Outline a method/timeline for completing the task. If it is finishing a book, set aside time daily to write and work on the launch. A desire to return to school, go online today, and determine what is needed and devise a plan. Do something daily towards completion of whatever the item is. 

There is a tremendous amount of satisfaction and feelings of accomplishment that comes with completing anything. Additionally, the completion of one item produces energy and momentum for completing the next thing. People always talk about negative spirals or cycles, why not start some positive and success cycles. Finishing the unfinished tasks is a great start to cycles of success.

THE POWER OF WE

The truth is you need people to help you birth the dream even if it is an individual  business. For example , Steve Jobs , and two of his friends started Apple Computers; Sam Walton borrowed money from his father-in-law  to start Walmart; and Larry Page and Sergey Brin , college friends started Google. 

Take  a moment today to assess the people you may need to  connect with to birth your dream.  Whether your cousin who is an artist, the engineer neighbor or the Vice President of your local bank, don’t be afraid to reach out to someone who may have the missing piece. Step out of your comfort zone and begin to utilize the power of we. When I started my coaching business, I reached out to six (6) of my friends and asked them would they be my first group. They consented which gave me a beta group, allowed me to give shape to the process and and gain confidence, Their assistance was invaluable.

Too often  many of us  are lone rangers and happy about it. Many are quick to admit “I don’t do people,”. The reality is there are dreams that are solo  visions and some people will start businesses on their own. However,  too often the  “I can do this on my own” originates from a place of brokenness.

I am Unique

Positive affirmations are utilized to create the life that you desire. Many of us have told ourselves negative messages that have produced negative outcomes in our lives. By changing the way we think we can change our lives. Using these affirmations can propel you into the life of your dreams.

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