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

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

Recently, I came across a great quote from Mark Twain.  "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear -- not absence of fear." 

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that self confident people have three things in common.

1. Self confident people are optimistic.
2. Self confident people face their fears and deal with them.
3. Self confident people surround themselves with positive people.

Mark Twain’s quote is related to the second characteristic of self confident people.  We are all afraid sometime.  Successful, self confident people face their fears and take action.  In my new e book Star Power: Common Sense Advice for Career and Life Success, I offer four simple steps for dealing with the fears that can keep you from becoming the career and life star that you are meant to be.

1. Identify your fears.
2. Admit your fears.
3. Accept your fears.
4. Take action to deal with your fears.

I used the Mark Twain quote at the beginning of this post for a reason.  Lately, I’ve been procrastinating.  I am working on another book – How to Become Hot, Smart and Rich.  The book’s content will be based on these blog posts on self confidence, personal impact, outstanding performance, communication skills and interpersonal competence.  I have a major publishing house interested.  However, I have put off the writing.  When I ask myself why, the truthful answer is that I’m a little bit afraid that the publisher won’t like what I write.  That’s a start and step 1 -- I’ve identified and my fear.

At first, I didn’t believe that a fear of rejection was hampering my ability to write a book that is in my head.  But when I forced myself to take a hard look at why I was procrastinating, I had to admit that this is the case.  I am wary of having my thoughts rejected by the publishing house.   That’s step 2.

Once I admitted this fear to myself, I got a little angry at myself.  I accepted that I was procrastinating because of a fear of rejection.  I used this anger and frustration to give myself a solid kick in the butt.  I said to myself, “So you’re worried about rejection.  At least you had the guts to admit.  Now, get over it.  Do something.”  In my case, the acceptance of my fear spurred me into action.  This happened because I accepted something about me that I don’t like.  I don’t like to think of me as a person who is scared into inaction by a fear of failure, so I’m going to do something about it.  That’s step 3.

I will have a draft of How to Become Hot, Smart and Rich by the end of August.  This is my promise to myself and my way of taking action to deal with my fear of rejection.  If the first publisher isn’t interested, I’ll try another.  If all else fails, I’ll self publish the book.  One thing is certain though, I will not let fear of rejection stop me writing this book.  That’s step 4.

I am going to take Mark Twain’s advice and resist and master my fear – not let it master me.  Wish me luck.  I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com to subscribe to my monthly ezine and 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.