Confidence: a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances and as faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective. -The Merriam-Webster dictionary
Finding confidence.
Pretending to have confidence is so easy to do when you have an audience. Unfortunately pretending only takes you so far because, after a while, other people will eventually catch on to your facade. So ask yourself this, is throwing on a mask much simpler than telling yourself you are amazing and then actually believing it? The self-assuring process it complex and simple at the same time. Tell yourself that it is okay, that people understand, and people won't judge you. Then, believe it.
For years I told myself what I “could not” do. Can’t was my favorite word, and the word can was just a hopeful dream. I mean it's easier to tell yourself you no.
It's absolutely amazing what kind of doubtful thoughts your own mind can conjure up about yourself. Thoughts like, “No I can’t conquer the world.” “Don’t get up and put your all into it.” and “You’re pretty much going to fail, so put that effort back in your pocket.” So when I listened to myself and I never tried, I thought it was okay because I didn’t try so I never failed. But the thing is, if you didn’t want it, you wouldn’t have so much internal conflict with yourself over it. So don't allow negativity to consume your brilliance.
You are the only person standing in between you and your greatness. Take every doubt and turn it into “how amazing would it be if I actually succeeded?!” Then, and only then will you start being the best you that you can possibly be.
A Journey.
Singing has always been my peace. Over the years, it has been the one thing that calms me down when I'm all over the place. It's kind of what I want to do with the rest my life. So nowadays when I do perform for people, it often seems as if a stage is the most comfortable place on Earth for me. This doesn’t come from me not being nervous because I honestly have a minor panic attack before every performance. It’s only because years of not believing in myself made me realize just how much doubt blocks your true potential.
I came up with a few questions that I personally end up answering with reassurance before accomplishing a certain milestone. These are the doubting questions that most people ask themselves.It's okay, it’s natural to ask! But you hurt yourself when you don’t answer them. Before others can believe in you, you first have to believe in your own brilliance. So, whatever the occupation and whatever you want to do to change the world, don’t forget to answer these questions. Push your own confidence through the roof before the world does it.
Finding answers!
1. Q: What if I mess up? A: well what if you don't?
2. Q: What if they don't like me? A: Well what if they do?
3. Q: Will they laugh at me? A: A laugh was a smile first!
4. Q: What if they judge me? A: Has God ever judged you?
5. Q: What if I lose? A: What if you win?
6. Q: What if I get a no? A: A no is a temporary answer.
7. Q: But what happens when I make a mistake? A: Mistakes happen!
8. Q: What if it isn’t meant to be? A: The only way you’ll know is if you try!
9. Q: But what if I’m not good enough? A: Says who?!
10. Q: Can I? Yep!
If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.
-Marcus Garvey
