This Super Power is Yours to Possess: Mastering Self-Belief
Expect to Win – Adopting this mindset forms the bedrock on how I approach life and it's what I instill relentlessly in those I mentor or coach. Yet, the shift to an 'expectation to win' attitude requires a prerequisite: nurturing belief.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
Theodore Roosevelt
I love this quote from Theordore Roosevelt. I believe it is true. I have always embraced it and if achievement is important - Achievement of getting better, hitting targets and reaching goals - and belief in your self gets you ½ way to the achievement we seek, then self belief is a super power we can all possess.
Belief is the cornerstone of success and happiness in life and in business. This isn't about placing faith in external elements or others – it's an internal conviction in one's own abilities. Understanding the origins of this self-belief is critical.
Consider this: Why am I convinced that regular exercise is beneficial for my health? Or that brushing my teeth multiple times a day will result in healthy teeth and gums?
Our beliefs are a tapestry woven from diverse strands – personal experiences and the influence of those we pay heed to. As beliefs shape our identity and dictate our potential, it's vital to not only scrutinize what we believe but also to evaluate the roots of these beliefs.
Ed Mylett said “If you don’t have belief in yourself you will find a way to cool your life down to what you believe you deserve.”
If you choose to believe that we will self-sabotage yourself if we don’t have belief in ourselves, that makes awareness of where our belief is a very important matter.
With the power to choose our beliefs, we can consciously replace any that may hinder our progress or obstruct the realization of our aspirations and dreams, but first we must be aware and acknowledge if any self belief exists and at what level it does exist.
I will challenge you with three introspective queries:
Do you consider yourself the architect of your fate?
Do you possess the necessary tools for success?
Are you capable? Can you accomplish your goals?
If you responded affirmatively to the first two, the crux lies in the third.
The true answer you need here is not the one that you say outloud, but it is the instinctive thought that comes into your mind prior to you saying or just consciously answering the question. Dig deep here - analyze your answer. Is the answer based on any fear and doubt? This may be the hardest question to get someone to answer honestly. A significant percentage of salespeople and entrepreneurs face setbacks, not due to skills or opportunity, but from a deficit of self-belief, a sentiment encapsulated in Zig Ziglar's term "Stinkin' Thinkin'", which has spelled the downfall for many reliant on sealing deals.
These belief questions are the catalyst for getting better. If your private answer to the questions…
Are you capable? And Can you do it?
…is no. What next? Quit! No - get better. In order to get better, dig deeper. The challenge is to evolve and bridge the 'belief gap', spanning from the tepid 'no' to the unshakeable 'yes'.
You must internalize this tenet:
Influence is the wellspring of our self-belief and the primary determinant of its intensity.
With that principle in mind: Pose these 5 diagnostic questions to navigate the path to a powerful self-belief:
Who do you spend most of your time with?
Who do you listen to most often?
What literature have you engaged with in the the last year?
Who do you respect the most in your life? Why?
Who can change your mind the easiest?
The insights from these queries will crystallize the 'belief gap' and aid in formulating a strategic plan to bridge it.
Commit to a conviction in your potential – it's the foundation for a fulfilling life.
Be on the lookout for an upcoming post with with additional exercises to bolster belief.
Always Expect to Win!
#xp2win
