The Biggest Success Factor

Confidence: Why Do You Need It and How Do You Get It?

Faith in your ability to achieve your goals is a key factor in your success. Confidence—what is it, why do you need it—and how do you get it?

According to the Oxford dictionaries, confidence is defined as, “the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.” In any business or social setting, firm trust is the stuff that builds dreams and relationships. After all, if you don’t believe in yourself, how can your client or your customer?

Does confidence matter?

You bet. Although there are some reasons why a lack of confidence spurs action and pragmatic thinking, few millionaires are made by second and third guessing. Regardless of their business area, successful individuals share some important traits that include:

• Positive attitude about ambiguity: A willingness to embrace the uncertainty of “what if” is a quality shared by cutting-edge researchers, top executives, and successful business owners. The developing edge of science, economics, and technology belongs to those who imagine something positive out of an uncertain future.
• Flexible attitude: Adversity is a great teacher. Shutting down in the face of rejection and failure is a common response. The differentiator is how long you are down. Reassessment after a business or personal failure is appropriate. Getting back up, taking a hard look at what happened, and committing to forward movement is essential for personal or business success.
• Delegation: Part of being a successful entrepreneur is building a great team. This takes the form of people, processes, and systems. Willingness to consider new methods and processes is an across-the-board characteristic of successful people.

Confidence is an aspect of each of these traits. Some people are born with it, but most are not. Fortunately, it’s an easily learned skill that pays back over a lifetime.

Chicken or egg: Success or confidence?

For successful entrepreneurs, confidence is 90 percent of the battle. This means belief in yourself, in your ability to learn, and your capability to live outside of your comfort zone. When our business owner working groups meet, we discuss, distill, and develop strategies to boost success. Confidence is a natural by-product. We strive to create a virtuous circle where success builds confidence and confidence builds success.

For most people, confidence is a learned—and earned—skill. Here are some tips for building and bolstering your confidence:

• Prepare: Confidence grows from genuine preparedness. Whether facing a job interview, a difficult decision, or a complete break with your old way of doing business, you benefit when you are ready for the engagement. Being prepared means knowing everything you can about your business, what works—and what doesn’t—and being ready to do something about it.
• Be your best: Exercise, eat in a way that energizes you, and pay attention to the people and things that mean the most to you. A top tenet of my strategy for success is taking time away from work—instead of being the guy working dawn to dusk and after. Creating quality time lets you see your business for what it is—an opportunity to create personal and financial freedom—not a vehicle to grind away your earthly hours.
• Strike a pose: We all know about body language. What is yours saying about you? According to research, positions of relaxed ease reduce stress hormones and increase the likelihood that others perceive you as confident. Practice a firm handshake, try not to cross your arms, and be sure to look customers in the eye—but not for too long.
• Fake it until you make it: Practicing to project confidence means you may act, and even dress, more confident at times than you really are. The more time you engage in behaviors that help you feel confident, the more likely you are to become Confidence is not about doing everything right—it is about knowing your strengths, appreciating your weaknesses, and understanding what you can do with both.

I have talked about Brian Tracy before. The man is the global authority on personal and business achievement. Mr. Tracy talks about the difference between positive thinking and positive knowing. Both are important qualities, but positive knowing is about understanding your vision and surrounding yourself with people and possibilities that can take you there.

No one is an island

I tell business owners that no one is an island—and it’s very true. Good support is a key factor in building and maintaining personal and professional confidence. A good support system can help you through a hard fall, be there to help you rebuild, and hold on to optimism when you see none.

When you are spending too much time at work and your business confidence is sinking, call me at 585-633-7563.

To your success,

Bob Britton