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Confidence

[From:  Uma Rani]



The business executive was deep in debt and could see no way out.

Creditors were closing in on him. Suppliers were demanding payment. He sat on the park bench, head in hands, wondering if anything could save his company from bankruptcy.

Suddenly an old man appeared before him. "I can see that something is troubling you," he said.

After listening to the executive's woes, the old man said, "I believe I can help you."

He asked the man his name, wrote out a check, and pushed it into his hand saying, "Take this money. Meet me here exactly one year from today, and you can pay me back at that time."

Then he turned and disappeared as quickly as he had come.
The business executive saw in his hand a check for $500,000, signed by John D. Rockefeller, then one of the richest men in the world!

"I can erase my money worries in an instant!" he realized. 

But instead, the executive decided to put the uncashed check in his safe. Just knowing it was there might give him the strength to work out a way to save his business, he thought.

With renewed optimism, he negotiated better deals and extended terms of payment. He closed several big sales. Within a few months, he was out of debt and making money once again.

Exactly one year later, he returned to the park with the uncashed check.

At the agreed-upon time, the old man appeared. But just as the executive was about to hand back the check and share his success story, a nurse came running up and grabbed the old man.

"I'm so glad I caught him!" she cried. "I hope he hasn't been bothering you. He's always escaping from the rest home and telling people he's John D. Rockefeller."

And she led the old man away by the arm.

The astonished executive just stood there, stunned. All year long he'd been wheeling and dealing, buying and selling, convinced he had half a million dollars behind him.

Suddenly, he realized that it wasn't the money, real or imagined, that had turned his life around. It was his newfound self-confidence that gave him the power to achieve anything he went after.

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Freedom From the Fear of Feeling Powerless

 

Real power isn't the ability to imagine and implement an endless series of new solutions to old problems, but to awaken the higher understanding that allows us to transcend the need we have to live with any painful problems at all. Which would you rather have: a big fire hose with a hydrant and a fire to put out every day, or a life without fires in them?

But what we have to examine here is the way we think! Most of us wouldn't know what to do if there wasn't something pressing us. Isn't it weird that we'll come up with a path, a solution, something that we're going to do, that once we do it we'll become whatever we've imagined? No more pressure, no more fear -- but then, the very thing that we set out to obtain, to make us fearless, to take the pressure out of our lives, becomes the source of a new fear and a new pressure! And then when that doesn't work, we do it again, and again, and again.

We have no idea of the power that we're created with. We are granted at birth the possibility of a freedom that has absolutely no contingencies whatsoever that can fall apart because the conditions in our lives do.

The kind of power I'm talking about is so simple. For instance, ordinarily we're trying to obtain things so that we can control or manipulate conditions, but we're not talking about that. Instead, how about the authority over our own negative reactions? That's a completely different kind of power, isn't it? To possess ourselves as opposed to trying to possess things or relationships through which we have a measure of security. The power to possess ourselves can't be granted by anyone or anything outside of us. It doesn't exist. No teacher, no book, nothing can grant us what it is that our heart of hearts actually longs for.

But something has gotten twisted up inside of us. We set out for life the minute we're born through family and tradition. We see our parents -- and every last person we meet -- striving for the power to achieve or protect. It never occurs to us that all we've seen and done in our lives has not produced what it is we're looking for. If we ever get far enough to even suspect the truth of that, then it turns the whole question on a dime.

What we then want to do is understand the nature of this illusion we have of being powerless in the first place! Because who seeks power? Who seeks power other than someone who feels powerless? That is the only reason that a person looks for power, whatever it may be. It is because something inside of us is afraid. So where did the whole notion come in this life that there is something that we're to live with that produces fear in us, and for the fear then sends us out for ways to find power to fulfill the end of our own fears?

The true powers put us in relationship with what grants us power instead of us looking for powers to control relationships as we presently do. There is a reversal that has to take place in our understanding. This reversal begins with the simple act of understanding what we've been talking about, which is: "I'm afraid of something... I'm going to go have dinner with someone in a few minutes," or "I have a meeting tomorrow," or "My health isn't what it should be..." What happens in the moment where the mind considers its own condition? It can't help but consider at the same time everything that it has collaborated with to make as perfect -- its expectations, "how things should be." The more it tries to keep what it wants, the more it refuses what it's been given. In other words, there are possibilities that are all the time being handed out to us that we simply push away because there is something in us that prefers the pain of trying to control problems -- while in reality they don't exist the way our mind imagines them.

Work to remember yourselves. Work to remember that at any given moment you don't have to be captured by anything that presently causes this compromise of your soul. Remember, there are always higher possibilities.

Excerpted from Seven Powers, "Freedom From the Fear of Feeling Powerless" by Guy Finley

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Want to Live a Richer Life? Don't Let Yourself Do These 3 Things!

If you're trying to bring wealth into your life - whether it's the material kind like money and possessions or the emotional kind like happiness and contentment - you're probably focusing on specific techniques like affirmations and visualizations. You're probably also keeping an eye out for new opportunities that can help you feel happier and become more successful.

That's all well and good, but have you ever thought about the other things you're doing? You know, the things that are counteracting your positive behavior and bringing negativity into your life.

If you want to live a life of abundance and prosperity, don't let yourself fall victim to these 3 things:

1. Telling yourself you don't have "enough".

Every time you grumble about the bills in the mail or pass up that outfit in the window because you don't have the money for it, you're really telling yourself you don't have enough. That way of thinking just breeds negativity and, soon enough, you'll find yourself drowning in it.

Instead, tell yourself you always have enough - whatever "enough" is. Whether it's money, time, or confidence, tell yourself (out loud if you have to) you've got plenty of what you need. That way, you'll be focused on the positives, instead of the negatives. It may take some real effort on your part, but it's well worth it.

2. Spending money you don't have.

A surefire way to get yourself into trouble is by spending money you don't have. It's not a way to get over the feeling that you don't have "enough". You will not be able to "trick" the world into thinking you're wealthy or successful. You'll simply wind up feeling worse.

Instead, start by being "wealthy" on the inside; it's really not that hard to accomplish. All you have to do is act like a wealthy person would - by feeling relaxed, content, blessed, and generous. Once you do that, you can work on being wealthy on the outside.

3. Not taking action.

When you're living in a negative mindset, you constantly feel defeated. If you feel like everything you do is futile, you won't bother doing ANYTHING. After all, it's not going to do any good, no matter how hard you try, right?!

This can be a dangerous cycle, but you can get yourself out of it. However, it will take some work. Pick something you're unhappy with - like your job - and make a conscious effort to change it. For example, start looking for other jobs, get your resume together, or talk to your friends about potential job opportunities they may know about. None of these actions are particularly earth-shattering, but they'll get you moving in the right direction. And, every time you take a small step, it becomes easier to take a big step.

You'll have to work hard to achieve physical and emotional prosperity. It's "easier" to be negative and let the world bring you down, but by thinking, feeling, and acting the right way, you can overcome that negativity and live a richer life!

.........................................................................
Tony Mase is a serious student of the works of Wallace D.
Wattles and the creator of an amazing website that'll take you by the hand and guide you step-by-step down Wallace D. Wattles' proven path to wealth, health, success, happiness, love, and more...

Discover how YOU can get all the help YOU need every single month to successfully master and apply Wallace D. Wattles' scientific principles to YOUR life!
Click Here Now => http://bit.ly/vkhWSe
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Do it right the first time

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What do Cliffs Have to do with confidence?

Imagine you are standing at the edge of a cliff. Deep inside you have a rising desire to jump. You know in your heart that if you could get to the other side of the canyon, there would be amazing gifts and rewards waiting for you. Gifts that would make your heart sing. You just know it.

However, you are scared to take the leap. For one thing, you have never jumped so far before. For another thing, you don't actually know for a fact that you will make it to the other side.

So, do you take that leap to discover what you want in your heart?

We ALL have our metaphorical cliff-leaps that arise every now and again. These are the opportunities in your life that hold so much potential, so much promise, yet scare you because of the risks you would be taking. For example:

  • leaving a job with benefits in order to start your own business or an educational program
  • creating an internet dating profile and opening yourself up to new love even though putting yourself out there might lead to a broken heart
  • speaking the truth within you to friends and colleagues even though you have been hiding behind "being nice" for most of your life
  • moving away from family and friends to a new town, state, or country in order to follow a dream
  • asking for help on a project even though you are scared you will be perceived as weak by asking for support

How come the fear of the risks so often overpowers our pursuing our deepest desires?

Because we believe we need to have total confidence and skill in order to take those risks. How many times have you given up on pursuing an opportunity (in other words: not taken a risk) because you believed that first you needed to cultivate confidence in order to do it?

Here is a little known secret that is absolutely revolutionary:

You need to take the risk in order to cultivate the confidence.

You need to FIRST jump the cliff before feeling confident that you can do it.

It's the ACT of taking the risk, of jumping, that actually builds the confidence and propels you to achieve your goal. You simply can not have it the other way around. If you already had the confidence, and you already knew exactly how things would turn out, then it wouldn't be a risk.

Let me explain further: When I first started my business, I knew I needed to network in order to build my practice. But I never really networked before, and I didn't know the first thing about it. What I did know, however, was that I was terrified to do it. I was scared of going to networking meetings and telling people about my coaching practice because I didn't want them to reject me, or judge me. I was scared of making myself vulnerable by telling people about my work and that I was looking for business. It was a RISK for me to put myself out there without knowing how the networking would turn out.

Well, I can tell you now, five years later, that I am a great networker and I love doing it. I walk into a room and I am excited about the new people I am about to meet. I can also tell you that a good part of my income comes from my networking abilities and the ways that I take absolute joy in connecting with new people, hearing their stories, and attracting them to my practice.

The secret is: I didn't WAIT until I was confident in my networking abilities before attending networking events. If I had done that, I would have waited forever! I developed and cultivated my networking skills by taking the risk and SHOWING UP. Showing up at the networking events, showing up for myself, showing up for the people that I could help through my coaching.

Was there the possibility of failure? Absolutely. Did I know what the heck I was doing when I started, or how things would turn out? Absolutely not. But I did know that if I didn't take the leap, I would get nowhere. So, I took the leap. And took the leap again. And again. And again. Until I was very comfortable networking. I kept on leaping and risking and risking and leaping until networking became something that I was really good at.

So, I want to ask you a really important question:

What is the thing in your life right now that you just know deep down in your heart that you are ready to do?

It might be networking, or speaking your truth, or learning to ski, or launching a new project, or learning to trust your loved ones.

What is the thing that you want so much? Have you neglected going after it because you are scared of what you might risk?

If you haven't yet done it because you are waiting for the confidence to do it or the experience or the know-how, then it is my coach's request that you take the leap, risk knowing that it may not turn out the way you planned...and find your confidence on the other side.

Joanna Lindenbaum, M.A., has 12 years of teaching and coaching experience. Her coaching invites women to think bigger, to embrace their power, to create more compelling and exciting goals for themselves, to become leaders, to connect to their intuition, to open their hearts, and to make it a practice of remembering how special and important they are. Her coaching philosophy centers on a deep respect for the inner wisdom that each woman holds inside of herself. By activating this inner wisdom, Joanna helps her clients achieve extraordinary success in business, career, and life. Sign up for Joanna's complimentary "How to Overcome the 5 Most Common Obstacles to Success" athttp://soulfulcoach.com/ecourse.php.
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5 Ways to Conquer Self-Doubt


Let go of those doubts.

Self doubt has been something I’ve struggled with all my life, from debating whether I could get into a top tier university to believing I could succeed as a writer. It’s a very human emotion, and it’s made worse for some people because of life experiences or temperament. Self doubt also makes you feel alone. Sometimes you think you’re the only person in the universe who suffers from a crisis of confidence, and you wish that you could be more like your successful, self-assured neighbor. Well, I guarantee that your neighbor doubts himself every now and then too.

You won’t ever be able to rid yourself of doubt entirely – believe me, I’ve tried. But I hope that these suggestions will lessen your pain when dark thoughts are all around you.

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"We can either watch life from the sidelines, or actively participate ... Either we let self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy prevent us from realizing our potential, or embrace the fact that when we turn our attention away from ourselves, our potential is limitless."

Christopher Reeve

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Thought for Thursday

"The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible - and achieve it, generation after generation."
Pearl S. Buck

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Skill and confidence are an unconquered army.

- George Herbert

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What If You Can?

Guest post by Anna Filipkowski.

What are you avoiding right now? What dream have you put on hold because you think you're too old, too young, too broke, too busy or too out of shape? What opportunities have you missed because you were too afraid of failing, embarrassment, abandonment or rejection? Why is it that most of us are more comfortable believing we can't than we can?

Everyone has a highly critical and negative little voice inside his or her head. Unfortunately, it keeps you in defensive or survival mode. Evolution calls this "Fight or Flight." It's a throwback to our more primitive selves. Since your critical voice only perceives in black and white, any obstacle is deemed a dead end rather than a challenge requiring a solution to move forward. Therefore, the critical voice usually stops us in our tracks and sabotages the concept of options.

Clearly, your critical voice is not your friend. And that voice does not define you. The real you strives for freedom and self-actualization. Your critical voice is nothing more than a schoolyard bully. You need to challenge it or ignore it. Like most bullies, it will eventually subside or back down.

Yes, you absolutely can quiet your negative inner dialogue by consciously changing your thoughts. The next time the bully inside you starts its whining diatribe, confront it head on. Calmly state, "What if I can?"

"You'll never get that job. You're too young, inexperienced and naive!"
What if I can?

"You're completely out of shape. And besides, there's no way you can run a half marathon at your age!"
What if I can?

"Start a business in this economy? You don't have enough money and that's just plain crazy! Besides nobody ever makes money doing that!"
What if I can?

"You'll never survive reality without booze or drugs!"
What if I can?

"You're too old and out of date to go back to school. You'll never keep up!"
What if I can?

"Just stay in the relationship and suck it up. Nobody else will want you and you can't make it on your own!"
What if I can?

"There are millions of out-of-work actors. You're not talented or attractive enough to break into that kind of business!"
What if I can?

"Do you know how many people actually succeed at that? It's just too hard and too competitive. You'll never make it to the Olympics."
What if I can?

"Your silly dream can wait another year. With all your other responsibilities, you're too busy to take on one more thing right now."
What if I can?

Be honest with yourself. If you were absolutely certain that you would succeed in your dream endeavor, would you do it? Or would you be afraid that your critical voice was telling the truth? Either way, you're right. That's how extraordinarily powerful your thoughts are. Remember, it takes just as much energy to succeed or fail. Focus your mind and heart and you can accomplish anything. Start now. That's how extraordinarily powerful your thoughts are. Remember, it takes just as much energy to succeed or fail. Focus your mind and heart and you can accomplish anything. Start now.

Anna Malandra Filipkowski, a downsized corporate executive is following her dreams and invites fellow latecomer entrepreneurs to journey down the path of freedom and prosperity in a global world.