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