Common Sense Ideas for Becoming the Career Star You Are Meant to Be

Today is Monday, so this post is about self confidence. 

Recently, I read a conversation with Ilise Benun, author of a book entitled Stop Pushing Me Around: A Workplace Guide for the Timid, Shy and Less Assertive.  I really like what Ms. Benum had to say about self confidence.

In the interview, Ms. Benum listed four tips for building self confidence.

• Stop comparing yourself to others.
• Always take the time to prepare.
• Visualize another reality.
• Think small.

Today, I’d like to delve a little deeper into Ms. Benun’s fourth point: Think small.  Read on...

I know that conventional wisdom says “think big, shoot for the stars”; and I agree.  We should all have lofty goals and ambitions.  However, when it comes to building self confidence, thinking small is better. 

There is a common sense reason for this.  When you think small, you have a better chance of succeeding and accomplishing whatever you’ve set out to do – and nothing builds self confidence like success.

Here’s an example of how I think about Ms. Benun’s point on thinking small.  If you’re beginning a diet, focus on eating right the first day of the diet.  If you can stick to your eating plan for the first week or two, set a goal of sticking to it for a whole week.  The success you have from succeeding every day on a day by day basis will give you the confidence to tackle a week’s worth of healthy eating.

The same is true in your career.  Identify small goals that you are likely to achieve.  Then achieve them.  The momentum you build from these small successes will help build your self confidence.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day”, is a cliché.  However, clichés are clichés for a reason – they are generally true.  Building your self confidence is a process – you won’t get it done in a day.  Start small, identify and achieve small wins, and use these wins to build your self confidence.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my other blog www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a business, and my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.