I’ve never gone this long without adding a post to my blog since I started blogging in 2009. But when an email landed in my box yesterday with a video from Ted Talk on one of my favorite topics – Self-confidence – I was inspired to write a post.
Is self-confidence a skill?
Dr Ivan Joseph answered this question in his speech on TedxTalks.
Dr. Ivan Joseph, Athletic Director and head coach of the Varsity Soccer team at Ryerson University, shares that the most important skill he looks for when he’s recruiting isn’t an athlete’s strength, speed or agility; it’s the skill of SELF-CONFIDENCE.
Dr Joseph believes self-confidence is a skill you can acquire through training. His words of wisdom about self-confidence aren’t just for athletes; they can be applied to all areas of life.
Here are his tips for building self-confident as they relate to entrepreneurs.
Tips for building self-confidence
Persistence – Persistence is a powerful trait of successful entrepreneurs. Persistence keeps you moving forward to achieve your entrepreneurial goals in spite of dark days. I wrote a couple of posts about persistence and you can read them here and here
Self-talk – entrepreneurs can be their worse enemy when it comes to negative self-talk. Practice positive self-talk until it becomes a habit. Create your own or you can choose your favorite at 33 persistent affirmations for your success.
Reflect on Muhammad Ali’s “I am the greatest” and create your own positive self-talk signature.
Write yourself a self-confidence letter (I love this) – write a letter to yourself highlighting what you like about you and the accomplishments you’re proud of.
Read this letter on those days when self-doubt kicks in, or when you need to remind yourself how awesome you are.
Surround yourself with positive people – It’s important for entrepreneurs to surround themselves with positive people who believe in and support their vision. Stay away from naysayers, they’ll crush your self-confidence, kill your dreams, cloud your vision, and pull you into their black hole of despair.
Magnify the positive – this applies to you as an entrepreneur as well as the people on your team, business associates and/or partners. You’ll get more from yourself and others if you acknowledge and appreciate what they’re doing well and what you’re doing well. Go ahead and give yourself that well deserved pat on the back.
Self-confident people interpret feed-back the way they choose too – entrepreneur when you hear no, you have the right to interpret that as a maybe, I’m not ready, or something else. Confident entrepreneurs interpret negative feed-back in a way that empowers them.
Check out Dr. Ivan Joseph’s video and share your thoughts.
The Skill of Self-Confidence: Dr. Ivan Joseph at TEDxRyersonU
Your turn
Do you believe self-confidence is a skill? What do you think of the self-confidence building tips for entrepreneurs?
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re not good enough, or need some personal strategies to build your self-confidence – you’ll benefit from my FREE strategy session. Contact me today. You’ll be glad you did.
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Hey Adalia,
Great post on self confidence. I heard somewhere that success is 80% self belief and the other 20% is the actual hard work that’s involved and yes if you were to hang out with people that do not share the same hopes and dreams as you then you will be brought down with them to. I have a signature that i use on all my emails that goes like this….
“ACTION gives you results, RESULTS makes you believe it’s possible, BELIEF leads to more potential, POTENTIAL makes you take more action” This is the circle of success..
I appreciate your visit Stacy. You have a powerful, confident entrepreneur signature.I appreciate your words of wisdom on self-confidence. See you at the top 😀
Really your self confidence video is great. I love to read article that related to improve self confidence. Thanks.
Hello Lisa, glad you liked the video about self-confidence.