Why is it when faced with a new task we sometimes doubt our ability to complete it? Over the years I’ve noticed that when I really want something, I hold less doubt about my ability to achieve it than when I’m less committed or when the task is delegated to me by someone else. I’ve come to think that without a strong commitment to reaching a particular goal, doubt regarding skills and abilities can arise.
On the other hand, when we focus on strengths and abilities, momentum to improve areas of lack can be used to improve less dominant skills and abilities (regardless of whether a new task was our idea or imposed upon us by external forces). By using our developed skills and abilities we can develop confidence in our ability to achieve desired outcomes. For the next six days, consider taking the time to complete each of the following activities as a way to help you achieve a new task – whether it was your idea or someone else’s… (one idea a day is all I ask…)
- Think specifically and positively about your skills and abilities. Write them down and identify how they can contribute to each of your goals.
- Keeping your skills and abilities in mind, establish a realistic standard of achievement for your goal.
- Create a step-by-step plan for reaching your goal that allows you to track your progress.
- When trying something new, think in terms of specific skills or behaviors that need changing. Do not make general statements. Instead, focus on specific actions that need improvement.
- Avoid only giving credibility to what other people think. Include your beliefs and opinions as you make decisions about changes that need to be made.
- For each criticism you give yourself, also give yourself one or two compliments.
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