"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation" - Arthur Ashe

Self-confidence is necessary for success

As Arthur Ashe says preparation is an important key to self-confidence. And preparation can be achieved by using the goal setting tool of questions. Asking questions, that is, doing research, can enable you to become proficient in whatever subject or area you want you to.

Self-confidence is necessary not only to achieve success with our goals, but also to live a happier and contented life. When we have self-confidence, we can overcome many of life's obstacles easier. How then do we find the key to self-confidence?

Identify the obstacle

Before you can work on gaining more self-confidence, you need to clearly identify the area that is an obstacle for you not having self-confidence. When you have identified the obstacle, you can use a variety of goal setting tools to solve it. And yes, you should undertake your development of self-confidence as a goal. This way you can make positive progress, and have eventual success.

Can I share the following true story with you...

Having had over eight years experience in technical writing, but lacking the industry software skills, I turned down positions as result of a lack of self-confidence. It did not take any rocket science for me to realize that I needed to become skilled in the software that was being used in the industry.

The industry standards at the time were Microsoft Word and CorelDRAW. If you are familiar with these software packages, you know there are a myriad of features, and in technical writing, many of these are used.

There was only one way I could master this software...

Use a step-by-step approach

Adopting a step-by-step approach is a practical tool for reaching your goal, and a key to gaining self-confidence.

Before starting, you should determine as accurately as possible as to what the steps are. This forms part of your preparation, or research, in many cases. Become familiar with the subject matter.

For me, the starting point was finding out what the most used features were in producing technical documentation. Armed with this knowledge, I could begin my step-by-step approach.

Using this approach I began with one or two features only, and I would practice these until I could do it almost blindfolded. And from there I would move onto the next feature or two.

This is similar if you want more self-confidence for public speaking, starting your own business, or whatever other area in your life.

Self-confidence will come

Using the one goal setting tool of a step-by-step approach, you will become more knowledgeable, and as a result your level of self-confidence will rise.

In using this tool, my self-confidence rose to the level where I eventually lectured freelance at a leading computer training school.

For the effective attainment of your goals, no single goal setting tool should be used in isolation.

Make it your goal to...

Identify the obstacle or obstacles that are preventing you from having self-confidence. Do your research, and begin as soon as possible to use the goal setting tool of a step-by-step approach. Follow Arthur's advice of the key to self-confidence.