How To Believe In Yourself

Do you really believe in what you are doing? And if you don't, then how do you make yourself believe?

Take the four minute mile, for example. Until 1954, people believed it impossible for a human being to run a mile in less than four minutes. In that year, Roger Banister proved them wrong. Within one year, 37 runners broke the belief barrier. And the year after that, 300 other runners did the same thing.

Your beliefs can either empower you or limit you. So if you feel a limited; a little low in confidence, like the task you have to complete is impossible, if you feel like you'll never get there then the remedy is simple. Just change your beliefs!

One way of tackling belief is to start using affirmations. Repeated on a daily basis, affirmations reprogram your mind and change your beliefs over a period of time. It's not a quick fix, but it works!

Telling everyone about your plans works too. It forces you to commit to them. So tell everyone about what you are going to do. Tell family, friends, anyone who will listen supportively! Not only will people give you advice and help, it will strengthen your self-belief massively.

Another way of encouraging belief is to act like you believe!

"If you desire a quality and have it not, act in every respect as if you had the quality you already desire, and you will have it." (Aristotle)

So what does that mean? Well, if you act like you believe, then you have confidence. In terms of your body language, you stand tall, you speak clearly and you look people in the eye. Your breathing is regular and deep. Only move and speak when necessary, and be alert to whatever is going on around you. Next time you feel a little shaky, adjust your body language and see what happens. You will soon feel unstoppable.

So why is having a strong belief so important? Can't we just get on with things and leave all that hippy stuff out of the picture?

Well, here's a piece of advice. Everyone knows everything. The minute you open your mouth, people can tell whether you believe your own words. Try this simple exercise and see for yourself:

1. Choose a food you can't stand. For me, it's caviar.
2. Now tell yourself you love that food.

"I love caviar!"

3. Reflect on how that felt.

Did you feel false too? I can feel something inside of me going, "Ew no, that feels all wrong!".

4. Now choose a food you love. For me, that's cinnamon-dusted, chocolate coated almonds.
5. Now out loud, say you love it.

"I love cinnamon-dusted, chocolate coated almonds!"

Mmm. Now I sound like I really do love those almonds.

Can you feel you difference? Sure! Can others feel that difference? Sure. Which is pretty important if you are going to talk to people about the good cause that you believe in.

Take time out to change your beliefs and you will find the actions that follow are full of life, energy and empower others to believe in you too.