How To Nurture Belief In Yourself Once More

​To the uninitiated, the idea of running marathons, doing triathlons, enjoying physical challenges or being voluntarily uncomfortable like that can seem puzzling. Why would you want to tax yourself to the limit, especially when being comfortable is quite pleasing, thank you.

Well, there are many reasons of course. Simply seeing if you’re up to the task is exciting. As JFK once said about going to the moon “we do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” Accomplishing something impossible (or at least, seemingly quite hard for us), provides a real sense of pride no matter what it is.

The barrier between someone who might not see the appeal, and someone who does, is usually this one perspective - “yes, I believe I could do that.” Such a belief is intoxicating. Of course, it should also be relatively rational. No one reading this is going to win in a courteous boxing match with a silverback gorilla no matter how much self-belief they have. That being said, nurturing this self-belief doesn’t have to apply to sports or major events. It can apply to anything, especially after hardship.

In this post, we’ll discuss how to nurture that outcome:

Focus on One Small Project

It might sound so simple, but you’d be amazed at how much confidence you can build by finding something manageable you’re happy to do. It’s not until you get started on the project itself that you begin to feel those positive emotions that can snowball for the better. Pick a project or goal that feels within reach but still pushes you a bit. Perhaps it’s reading a short story from a writer you’ve long admired but haven’t pursued yet, or trying hiking for the first time with a local group. Completing these small efforts can create a snowball effect. Each success, no matter how modest, builds confidence and reminds you that you’re capable of achieving what you set your mind to. That allows you to do the following: ​

Disprove Your Negative Self-Talk

One of the biggest barriers to self-belief is that little voice in your head telling you what you can’t do. We all have it, even people at the top of their game (as we see with major actors talking about the anxiety they sometimes feel), but it doesn’t have to control you. The best way to deal with negative self-talk is to challenge it directly through action. When that voice says, “You can’t do this,” respond by proving it wrong. For example, maybe you have been snacking more than you’d like to, but this time you can say “no.” This way, you’ve broken a cycle. You feel a little more confident. That’s a healthy outcome, and all it took was a slight negation.

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

Every time you do something that feels a bit uncomfortable and come out the other side, your self-belief grows. You start to realize that the discomfort is temporary, but the confidence you gain is really part of you, not just a fluke.

For some these discomfort zones can be quite worrying, like telling a neighbor that their music is too loud, or saying no to a boss who wants you to do overtime constantly, or perhaps starting a new hobby and hearing aids for the first time. If you can do that, you suddenly become the kind of person who can. You just have to avoid worrying about not doing it perfectly and try your best.

With this advice, you’ll be sure to nurture the self-belief you so deserve to experience.

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