Future Performance Training
When are you going to get started? You agree we hope, that there’s no time like the present. Confidence starts here and now. Yes, that means today. Not on Monday morning after the excesses of the weekend.
Getting your confident self fired up means adopting a new, positive mindset and getting rid of any doubts you have. You’ll get help with this in the next few chapters by cleaning up on your doubts. So before you set off on the journey, first check inside yourself. Ask yourself:
- Is it okay to make this change and become a more confident me?
- What do I stand to lose or gain if I do?
Once you’re happy that your answers are positive, even if it feels a bit scary, you’re ready for the next step of the journey.
If there’s a part of you that is really unduly scared of change, it may be for a valid reason. Think about it, and if you’re worried, check with your family or even a health professional about your physical and mental well-being.
Setting your intentions
As you set out on the journey, we want to state our intentions for you, the reader, and invite you to do the same. Our commitment is:
We are committed to giving you our full support and sharing all our knowledge. We believe that you are a unique and special human being with your individual strengths. We also know that being kind and honest with yourself gives you the best results. We know that if you follow the tips and ideas in this book and put them into practice, you will build a more confident version of yourself to take out into the world.
Now, we ask that you make a declaration of your intent and speak it out loud to yourself three times with increasing commitment:
I make a commitment to build my confidence in the way that’s right for me, honouring myself as a unique and special human being. I will be honest with and kind to myself on the journey to be the very best I can be. I promise to have fun along the way.
Acknowledging the perils and perks of change
Any kind of change has its ups and downs. You can focus on the downside and say that you may be under threat from those around you who don’t want a new confident you, you may find changing scary, and you may put yourself on the line and open yourself up to criticism and sarcasm. So what? The power of change far outweighs the negatives. Just look around you and make your own judgment about who has the best life – the confident person or the shrinking violet. Confident people earn more money, have more fun, enjoy more freedom, and relish new experiences. They have a go, they discover, they have a zest for living. They love the power that comes from being confident to do the things that many of those around them shy away from.
A few tips then for riding the waves, the ups, and downs as you change:
- Flex your knees over bumpy days. Stay resolute and adapt your approach.
- Look at the worst scenario. Face up to it (it usually isn’t all that bad), and then expect the best to happen. It usually does.
Ask yourself: What will this be like in a week’s time, a month’s time, or this time next year? Taking a longer-term view usually strips away the anxiety.
Welcome onboard the confidence train and happy travels!