Eat an elephant

the importance of taking it one step at a time.

Try a thing you haven't tried before three times: once to get over the fear, once to find out how to do it, and a third time to find out if you like it or not. - Virgil Thomson

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you climb a ladder? One rung at a time. How do you build confidence? One step at a time. Whatever we learn to do, we learn by doing it.

Change makes most of us feel uncomfortable. It arouses anxiety. But when you take small steps, the anxiety is more manageable. That's why it's important to have a go at things which you would previously have found scary on a regular basis. Do you find it hard to talk to people? Strike up a conversation with one new person every day! Do you keep quiet even when you have something to say? Speak up, say your piece! You gain encouragement and feel more confident every time you build on each small success.

Don't let uncomfortable feelings stop you, they come partly from your subconscious programming and partly from what you tell yourself about the situation. Stay calm, change the self-talk, and persevere.

Remember, courage is not the absence of fear, but ignoring fear and proceeding in spite of it.

To grow in confidence

Clarify your intention and set goals.
Train yourself to think more confidently.
Imagine yourself as confident.
Act as if you are confident.

Plus

Develop greater self-awareness.