Christina Neal - How to Supercharge Your Confidence Ways to Make Your Self-Belief Soar

HOW TO SUPERCHARGE YOUR CONFIDENCE

Copyright Summersdale Publishers Ltd, 2019

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Christina Neal has asserted her moral right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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For Dave C. Every day is an adventure
With thanks to Howard Cooper, Alec Lom and Brad Burton

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

A positive mindset can go a long way to making a difference to what you can achieve, and of course, how you feel about yourself. Even sitting down to write this book could be viewed in two different ways. I could see the prospect as a daunting task and delay getting started. Or I could view it as a great opportunity to write about a topic that I feel passionately about improving your confidence.

Whatever your goals or ambitions, you need to have a reasonable amount of confidence and self-belief. If you dont truly believe in your abilities, you wont have the confidence to pursue your ambitions. Or when setbacks occur, you may tell yourself youre not capable and youll quit. So, what can you do when youre plagued with self-doubt about completing a task or project? This book will show you how to adopt a more positive mindset, banish doubts, improve your self-belief and build your confidence step by step.

We will also explore the power of the mind and how it can help or hinder. We will explain how to take control of your thoughts and how to adopt a clear mindset to give you the confidence to move forward. Having a positive mindset is key, but many people are battling mental health issues. According to NHS Digital, one sixth of the population in England aged 16 to 64 has a mental health problem at any one time. And mental health issues seem to be a worldwide concern. According to Mental Health America (a community dedicated to helping those with mental health issues), over 44 million adults in the US are reported to have a mental health condition, and the rate of young people experiencing a mental health condition is on the rise. We will also reveal how to identify triggers that can cause anxiety and how to deal with them.

This book will also show you how to adopt a healthy attitude and provides the lowdown on various therapies and treatments that exist to help you lead a more positive, fulfilling life.

FIRST STEPS

CONFIDENCE
IS THE COMPANION OF SUCCESS.

GETTING CONFIDENCE-READY

Firstly, take a moment to think about where you are now in life. Are you happy with your lot? Are you in control of your life, your health and your emotional well-being? Here are some quick and easy ways to start building your confidence:

• Write down a list of everything you have achieved a quick bullet point list is fine.
• Think of exams youve passed, or obstacles youve overcome that you didnt think youd be able to.
• Think of compliments youve received in the past from friends and colleagues.
• Let go of past mistakes dont harbour regrets about things you wish youd done differently or hadnt done. Youve learned from them, now move on.
• Focus on what youre good at and keep doing it.
• Push yourself out of your comfort zone sign up for a fitness challenge or a course where you can learn a new skill.
• Offer yourself constructive advice dont let a negative inner voice put you down. Be good to yourself tell yourself you can do things, rather than telling yourself you cant. Be an ally to yourself.

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and thats your own self.

Aldous Huxley

BREAK DOWN TASKS

If you are struggling with your emotions and feeling overwhelmed, take some time to think about why this is. If its because you feel you have too many things going on in your life at once, such as having to juggle a busy job with looking after someone, then look at how you manage your time. If certain tasks seem overwhelming, break them down into small chunks. Decide what comes first then work through them one by one.

Although this book is about improving your confidence and leading a more fulfilling life, remember you dont have to make massive changes to your life overnight. You can commit to one or two small changes or actions each day that will add up and get results. You might decide to get up half an hour earlier every day and start work earlier, or you might decide to go to bed half an hour earlier every night. In a typical week, thatll mean youll have an extra 3.5 hours sleep. Seemingly small things can add up to make a big difference.

BE AWARE OF YOUR VOCABULARY

Using positive self-talk is the way to grow your confidence account. Be positive in the language you use. Example: I have a great new job Im excited about rather than Im nervous about starting a new job.

BANISH DOUBT BY TAKING ACTION

What can you do when youre plagued with self-doubt about completing a task or project? Just get started. It sounds so simple and it is. Even if youre not sure if its the right way forward, youll work it out as you go along. Theres no golden rule to say you cant change direction at a later stage. Dont let fear cripple you.

The most effective way to do it is to do it.

Amelia Earhart

LISTEN TO YOUR THOUGHTS

Its important to understand how your thinking patterns affect your confidence, so that you can manage negative thoughts and not let them hold you back. Take some time to reflect on how you have been speaking to yourself. Has your inner voice been constructive, helpful and supportive, or have you been beating yourself up? Would you speak to a friend in the same way that you have been speaking to yourself? Try to get your inner voice under control. When you hear yourself thinking a negative thought or telling yourself youre not slim/fit/good enough, tell that inner voice to shut up. Or you can simply recognize the fact that your inner voice is there, and that its being critical, and just accept it as a thought. Thoughts are just thoughts, they arent necessarily reality.