In the most simplistic setting, what do you think are the keys to success? Mark Twain once gave ‘ignorance’ and ‘confidence’ as the defining keys to success. Of course he was saying it in jest, but he got half of it right. Confidence is a key to success.

Think of success as a journey, not a destination. Just as we don’t travel without our belongings, ’self-confidence’ is indispensable for any success, be it to lose some pounds, make a speech or start a business. And you can discover your confidence by ‘C-R-A-V-E’-ing for it; Caution, Readiness, Affirmation, Visualization, Enthusiasm.

Caution

Do you know what is the most powerful weapon to destroy confidence? Self-doubt.

When confidence is built upon irrational beliefs (since entrepreneurship is the fad now, I can’t possibly fail in it), denial or ignorance (see below), it is blind confidence or overconfidence. Doubts can easily set in and force you to question your beliefs and knowledge.

One such common misfit is the confidence you get from being superior to your competitors. The real problem starts when you assume the underdogs will always be stay weak. Obviously anyone who has such confidence will be in for a rude shock when the table is turned.

Take caution that your confidence is founded on sound beliefs, and save yourself from unnecessary ’shocks’ in the future.

Readiness

People can easily see that successful people have confidence, but they seldom see that the confidence comes from their readiness.

By being well-prepared and ready, you will see more confidence and focus in your life, which helps in better performance. Being ready means foreseeing obstacles and milestones along your journey to success, in other words, predicting your own future. When you know your success is planned and everything is in control, confidence will follow suit.

The late tennis champion, Arthur Ashe said, “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation,”

Ask…Questions!

Asking questions has its merits, although their benefits are less prominent than a follow-the-book approach. When questions are asked correctly, it can build up a person’s confidence substantially and immediately!

Most people belittle themselves more often than they know. The fact is, they overestimate the strengths of those around them and underestimate their own.

By asking yourself incisive questions, you will most likely conceive answers that you truly believe in, not answers that just sound poetic and bear no value to you.

Here are some questions to get you started:

- What am I fearful of to reach my success?
- What are within my power to control?
- What are not within my control but are causing me guilt/shame?
- Why does it makes me feel guilty/ashamed?
- How can I overcome the guilt and focus on things within my control instead?
- When is that one time when good things happen and I feel real confidence?

You can read more about the effectiveness of using questions in my ebook, Effequest.

When you are aware of your strengths nd limitations, you know EXACTLY what you are capable of achieving. That is confidence.

Visualization

The last question that I posted is very important. Good memories build up self-confidence and the last question is supposed to help you pick that one good memory.

Whether you have a satisfactory answer to the last question or not, visualisation is veryuseful for building self-confidence. Scientists have long found out that the brain cannot discern between what’s real and imaginary.

So how does it work to our advantage? When reality does not hold any empowering memories for you, you can simply dream up new ones to boost your self-confidence!

Among sportsmen,professionals and other top players in any field, it is an open secret that they practise visualising themselves going through their routine successfully. It builds up their confidence and help them to cope with the real challenge.

By chalking up good memories, either by recalling past happenings or visualizing a new one, you can give yourself a confidence boost anytime.

Enthusiasm

Do you ever realize that confident people can rally people to their cause? No doubt it is a useful skill if you want to achieve your success in double quick time, people will be queuing up to help you!. So what is this attractive force surrounding the confident people?

It is enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the magnet that draws people to you and give you an air of confidence.

When you are enthusiastic about an issue, it portrays you as a confident and knowledgeable person. Let other people see your enthusiasm and you will be given special attention and your views will be accepted with less resistance. Then you can rally people to your cause too!

Be enthusiastic about your cause, you will naturally feel more confident.

If you ever know someone who craves for success and self-confidence, just show them how to CRAVE for it: Caution, Readiness, Ask Questions, Visualisation and Enthusiasm.

building confidence, caution, readiness, affirmation, visualization, enthusiasm.

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