You Become What You Think - The best approach to gain confidence and success fast

I know the heading of this article sounds like another self-motivational attempt in a sea of self-help content. However, what I want to point out here is something more profound behind the affirmation 'You Become What You Think About'. Instead of reading into the phrase try and think of the mental processes in your mind. Yes, those same processes that are working as you read this.

Take a needle prick at the phlebotomy lab. You can watch the nurse prepare the needle and the sample vial. Then you can watch the nurse prepare your arm for needle insertion by searching for a suitable entry point followed by the use of disinfectant on the selected area. Finally comes the needle prick. You can imagine what comes next. Now you can typically pay attention to the whole process and in the end, squirm in pain as the blood is drawn OR you can focus on anything but the process, and maybe you might barely feel a pinch. It is the same mental faculties controlling both processes of feeling loads of anxiety and pain and feeling hardly anything. Therefore, the trick to success is not in any word or phrase but in your mind. The mind is king.

But don't be deceived that convincing yourself is the same as repeating an affirmation. It is important to be utterly convinced that what you think is what you actually are. The affirmation would be a reminder of your ability and not the source of it.

For example, I repeat the phrase 'I am a great public speaker' over and over again. Nevertheless, let's say in my mind I am not convinced in my public speaking ability but because someone said it works I repeat the phrase thinking it will eventually cast a magical public speaking spell on me. In this instance all that will happen is disappointment. I need to say the phrase being convinced that I am talking about myself. It is no longer about the phrase but about my actual ability, about me.

As an illustration for those who have had problems in public speaking, the past is the source of many fears; a house of horrors if you will. As long as you hold on to the past you can't be convinced of anything. Secondly, you need to remember the future has no relation to the past unless you make it so. Lastly, don't let slip-ups and mistakes put you off, what you must realize is that probability ensures success is never uniform. Even the best fail and sometimes many times over. Look at failure as lessons and not a personal shortcoming.

To be convinced of your ability you need to take baby steps as very few people can go from self-doubt to being utterly convinced of their ability overnight. Mind you I don't use the word 'believe' here because to believe is to accept something without certainty. Belief is not good enough to succeed. You need to be convinced of your ability even with all of life's curveballs. There are no short cuts.

The same philosophy applies to confidence. You can pretend to be confident by watching various videos or reading books but eventually, the trap will be sprung and your lack of confidence will be self-evident after trials and tribulations finally cause you to cave. However, once convinced of your inner confidence the term 'I am confident' will sound like an accurate description of you and not a phrase describing what you ideally like to be. Thereafter it will be much harder for anyone or anything to throw you off balance. Remember the best approach to gain confidence and success fast to first cultivate your mind before you can reap the rewards of various self-improvement techniques.

Vic Johnson's book 'You Become What You Think About' is a valuable resource in your self-transformation and can be purchased Here.