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

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

As you probably know, I subscribe to a lot of on line newsletters.  They often yield some real gems.  The other day I found a gem.  It was in Ron White’s ezine, www.MemoryinaMonth.com.  In the March 7, 2007 issue, Ron began with a piece on self confidence.  I liked it so much, I’m posting it here.

Ron White on Self Confidence

“'We hold these truths to be self evident that some men are just flat out created better than others.' That is NOT what the third President, Minister to France, Secretary of State and founder of The University of Virginia wrote at the age of 33 when he penned The Declaration of Independence. Instead, Jefferson proclaimed that it was self evident that “...all men are created equal.”

"This is a crucial component of a successful self-concept. You see, when you believe yourself to be inferior to others, that is in direct contradiction of an attitude of success. In life, you must refuse to give anyone permission to make you feel inferior. After all, no one can make you feel inferior without your permission. Personally, no one has my permission.

"Let's use some examples - if you asked me to find a receipt from last month it may take another month for me to find it, the odds of me walking to the moon are greater than me successfully reformatting your hard drive and if you are proof reading my writing you may discover the most creative spelling of words ever. These are not my skill sets. On the other hand, most who could do these things would have their knees buckle two seconds after they walked out onto a stage with 10,000 eye balls staring at them.

"Do I allow myself to feel inferior because of the things that I am not good at? Not in a million years...and no one has permission to make me feel inferior. On the other hand, do I allow my ego to inflate because of the tasks I have mastered? I better not.

"A healthy self image, a healthy self concept is one that embraces the idea of Jefferson that all men are created equal. Remind yourself of this the next time you are out performed (and you will be) and when you out perform others (and you will as well).

Great common sense points from Ron White.  Don’t let yourself feel inferior just because you fail at a task or are not good at something.  On the other hand, don’t let yourself feel superior because you succeed at a task or are good at something.  Keep things in perspective.

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

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.