Let’s talk about how to build your self-confidence. You gain self-confidence by building on successes. Oftentimes, we discount small victories and accomplishments. When you do that, you do yourself a disservice. I want you to celebrate every victory and every step towards your goal.

This is how you build self-confidence by counting all the steps. When there are setbacks and obstacles in your path to victory, a success list makes it easier for you to keep going. It makes it easier for you to keep going towards your goal. Think back to the last success that you had. I’m going to give you a few minutes to think about that.

Tell me how you felt. Were you completely sure at the time that you were making that step or were you unsure. Were you nervous? Did you do everything you needed to do to prepare to take that next step? How do you feel when you completed your objected and succeeded? Think about it. Tell me or imagine in your mind or take notes. How did it feel? What was it like for you?

I was listening to Sandi Krakowski a while back. She was telling a story about a very well-known speaker who feels like vomiting every time she is about to make a public appearance. Who can relate?

If you feel like vomiting every time you’re getting up to speak in person, you’re not alone. Supposedly the statistics are that at least 90% of us are afraid of public speaking. It’s very common. I myself get that way in front of large audiences. Prior to 2019, I also felt that way on camera.

Thankfully, I have some successes to add to my success list. I have done this repeatedly until I built my success with doing podcasts and doing webinars. It’s like that speaker. I wouldn’t have it any other way because I know that once I get out there in front of you all or get on the camera, things are going to be okay.

I know my list of success of giving public speeches. I know my long line of successes in doing podcasts. I know my long line of successes of live broadcasts on social media. Celebrate the successes.

I remember the times that I reached my goal in spite of feeling like I wanted to puke. I’ve built several smaller successes so that I’m confident when I must speak in front of a large group. That doesn’t mean I don’t get butterflies, nor does it mean I don’t get nervous when creating a presentation, even presentations that are on material I have done before. I also know that I have the skills to do what is asked of me.

So, I’ve built a success list. I’ve built my confidence in being able to execute that skill. Do you understand? Can anybody relate to that? Does it make sense to you? Create your own success list. No accomplishment is too small. Are you trying to walk again after a medical illness, your list could look like this. Number one, I stood up in the parallel bars for five minutes without help two months ago. Number two, I stood up in the parallel bars for 15 minutes, X number of weeks ago. Number three, I took three steps with assistance. X number of days ago. Number four, I took X number of steps with a walker X number of days.

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 as we go deeper on building your self-confidence.

by Dr. Sears