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 third point: Visualize another reality.

Visualization is a technique used by most successful people: athletes, sales people, politicians, artists.  Visualization (picturing yourself succeeding at whatever it is that you want to accomplish) is powerful.  It’s hard to have the confidence to succeed, if you can’t visualize yourself being successful.

I’m a tennis fan.  There are some very intense tennis tournaments in the weeks leading up to the US Open – which begins next Monday, August 28.  If you’re not a tennis fan, Roger Federer currently is the best player in the world.  This year, he has won 63 matches and lost 5.   He had seven singles titles including Wimbledon , and is ranked number 1 in the world. 

Mr. Federer played Andy Murray in the second round of a tournament in Cincinnati last week – and lost.  Andy Murray is a 19 year old Scot who was ranked 21^st in the world at the time of the match.

After the match, Mr. Murray said "Obviously I wasn't expecting to win, so when it did happen, I was in a little bit of shock.”  He continued, "I think now I'll have a bit more belief going into Grand Slams (like the US Open) that I can go deep, although I don't think physically I'm good enough to win a Grand Slam just yet. It may take a few years. But my game is getting there, it's getting better all the time and with Brad (Gilbert, his coach) working with me, he's helped a lot."

Mr. Murray went on to beat Robbie Genepri to advance to the quarter finals against Andy Roddick, who he has beaten twice this year.  Mr. Roddick is a former US Open Champion and the best known American male tennis player.  Mr. Murray was not confident going into the match with Mr. Roddick.

"I wasn't going into the match expecting to win," Murray said. "I considered pulling out when I woke up in the morning and about a half an hour before I went on, but I felt like I could go out there where I could compete with him."

It’s difficult to win when you don’t think you can.  Mr. Murray has all the shots.  On the court, he is tenacious, and exhibits a never say die attitude.  If he is going to win a Grand Slam event, he’s needs to become more confident prior to matches.

I believe Mr. Murray will begin to win consistently on the tennis tour once he begins to visualize himself beating the best players in the world.  He has the skills.  Right now, he just lacks the 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.