Month: August 2015 Page 1 of 2

Sport has always been a passion of mind whether as part of a team or as a spectator.

I have watched the latest Ashes cricket series between England and Australia with great interest and enjoyment this summer. It has been interesting to watch the changing fortunes of both sides.

One of things that I have observed over the years is the massive role that self-belief has on an individual’s or team’s performance levels and results.

The same principle applies in business and life in general. I am sure you have experienced periods where you have felt good and had great belief in yourself or your team and your capabilities and prospects. At times like these things flow, performance levels get better as if by magic and results are generated with ease.

However, it may be that when you have suffered a set-back or disappointment, it can have a detrimental impact on your self-belief. When this happens tasks seem to take more effort, things can feel a bit laboured and results do not flow with the same grace and ease. At periods like this it can seem that good fortune has temporarily deserted you.

If you are going to be successful in accomplishing a particular goal or dream, it is important that you believe that you can achieve it and make it happen.

You may have a dream of starting your own business, taking up a new hobby, learning to drive. Maybe you have started a new job or at the start of the year you are allocated goals and objectives to achieve at work.

Whatever your own particular goal is you have to believe that you are properly equipped to succeed and have the right capabilities and skills. You may refer to self-belief as self-confidence or self-esteem. Whatever your description you have to believe in yourself and that you have what it takes to create your desired results.

5 tips to help develop your self-belief:

• Make a list of your key accomplishments and things that you have achieved in life that you are proud of. You can refer to this list often to keep your self-belief levels high. It is particularly important to do this when you suffer a setback or disappointment. This simple act will help you restore some balance in your perspective and enable you to bounce back quicker.
• Get clear on your key talents and strengths. What are the skills and abilities that you contribute to life and teams that you are part of professionally and/or personally? Many people are able to clearly outline what they are not good at or what they need to improve. Very few can clearly articulate their strengths and the value that they bring to life.
• Delete “I can’t” from your vocabulary. When you catch yourself saying I can’t do this because you are too old, not experienced enough or whatever is your own negative belief, change your thought pattern. I suggest you start saying “I can do this.” Ask yourself what support, resources or help you need in order that you can achieve your goals.
• Set goals that are realistic. There is no point having goals that are far too stretching or unrealistic. When we fail to meet them our belief levels plummet. Setting and meeting goals helps to grow self-belief. Once you have met your target, you can always make the next goal a bit more stretching. The whole process is incremental, gradually aiming higher and in doing so developing self-belief.
• Quit the comparison game. Stop comparing your life and results to others as you will never find someone at exactly the same point in life as yourself! Redirect the energy that you use on comparing yourself to others on setting clear goals and targets for your life. Then focus your attention and efforts on achieving these and reviewing your progress.

This week why not take a few moments to think about your own levels of self-belief.

On a scale of 0-10 (with 10 being high) what score would you give yourself for self-belief at present?

If you would like to increase your personal score, what small step can you take to improve the score?

If you lead a team, how is the belief of the team and individual members? What action steps can you take to develop belief and confidence?

This week’s quotation:

“You have to believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” Norman Vincent Peale

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk

I bought a new pair of shoes recently and it reminded me of a short story that I read about two shoe sales people who were sent to Africa to ascertain if there was a market for their product.

The first sales person reported back “I want to come home. This is a terrible business opportunity because no one wears shoes in this part of Africa.”

The company agreed that the sales person could return home and sent another sales person.

Upon arrival, the second sales person reported back to the company. They said “There is massive potential and opportunity here as nobody wears shoes.”

The first sales person had been discouraged by what they saw and failed to see any opportunity. The second sales person looked at things in a different way.

It was their view that if the villagers could be convinced of the merits and benefits of wearing shoes, there were massive sales to be made.

For me, this story simply but very powerfully illustrates that the attitude we adopt in life and the way that we view situations will ultimately shape the results that we achieve.

There is a great quote by Henry Ford that confirms this point.

He said “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t you’re right.”

If we look for opportunities and solutions then we are likely to find them.

On the other hand if we programme our mind to see challenges and problems then that is likely to be what we discover and encounter.

This week why not take a few moments to reflect on your own outlook in life. How optimistic are you? If you are facing an issue or challenge at present professionally or personally, ask yourself what benefits or alternative solutions may a little optimism bring to the situation?

This week’s quotation:

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” Helen Keller

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk

When clients seek my support to help them define and pursue their goals or dreams one of the pieces of advice that I give them is to only tell people who will be supportive and encouraging about their plans.

It is natural when you are seeking to break new ground, step out into the unknown to have a few doubts and a bit of apprehension. Therefore it’s not helpful for you to be subjected to dissenting voices or other people’s negativity about your goals and dreams.

It is also helpful to develop strategies to quieten your own negative thoughts and the voice of your inner critic.

There is a great little story about a frog race that is worth bearing in mind when you start to pursue a goal or make a dream a reality which I have shared below.

There was once a bunch of tiny frogs, who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants.

The race began.

No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. They shouted, “Oh, way too difficult!!! They will NEVER make it to the top” and “Not a chance. The tower is too high”.

The tiny frogs began collapsing, one by one except for those who, in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher….

The crowd continued to yell, “It’s too difficult! No one will make it!”

More tiny frogs got tired and gave up but one continued higher and higher.

This one wouldn’t give up! And he reached the top.

Everyone wanted to know how this one frog managed such a great feat. What was his secret?

This little frog was deaf!

The wisdom of this story is to ignore the pessimism of others. It can take your dreams from you. Stay positive.

When you have decided on a goal, it is useful to clearly picture a positive outcome in as much detail as possible.

Positive focused thoughts, combined with conviction, determination and passion are an unstoppable force.

This week, why not take a few moments to reflect and think about your support network.

Do you need to express gratitude and appreciation for the support and encouragement they provide?

Conversely are there negative and pessimistic opinions that are less than helpful to you and that you need to ignore and stop listening to?

This week’s quotation:

“You can focus on things that are barriers or you can focus on scaling the wall or redefining the problem.” Tim Cook

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk