Self doubt has stopped most people from attempting and achieving much more than what they already have. Each of us is blessed with potential that we often do not leverage simply because we succumb to our doubts, fears, anxieties and lethargy under the pretext that ‘maybe this is not my cup of tea’. We let our past, our negative imagination and the uncertainties of the future hijack our dreams, our potential and immense possibilities that lie ahead of us. Can we grapple with these and begin afresh with confidence? Of course you can! No matter whatever your age, whatever your financial or academic background, whatever your past, the future is there for everyone to make best use of. Identify what is holding you back and grapple with it first; your desire to attain something big will drive you to take on new challenges, work with tenacity and push you beyond your comfort zone and help you discover the real you.

Erase the memories of the painful past. Many of us tend to live in the past; either gloating in the adulation received in the past or often ruing the missed opportunities or simply cursing the bitter experiences one encountered. While gloating about past success can be a motivator living off those memories would be like sitting in a car with the engine only idling. One has to put in gear and press the accelerator to move. The bigger problem is those who sit in a car with a dead battery and instead of fixing the problem ponder, whine and blame the mechanic, the battery manufacturer and anyone else one can find to blame. The problem remains, you get frustrated and while you could have fixed the problem you still keep wondering Can I ?

Evaluate the potential that you are blessed with. We cannot be skilled in everything but for sure we are blessed with enough intelligence and common sense to find a solution to any problem. Either you solve it yourself or seek help. Ask yourself what can be done to meet the challenge of the moment. Merely giving up does not solve the problem nor does it do any credit to your potential. Take the case of a flat tire. Either you have the tools and the skills and the ability to change the flat tire or you go around seeking help. Of course some people would wait for help to come by way of a good Samaritan passing by offering help but that is a long, uncertain and possibly risky wait. Would you prefer to sit and wait instead of answering the question what Can I do now?

Eliminate erroneous perceptions of the future. Most of us approach the future with inhibition and trepidation. We imagine risks, worry about things not going as planned, are afraid to move from our present comfort zone, fear failure and embarrassment but most of all we do now want to take ownership of our own future. It is important to remember that it is essential that we make friends with our future for that is where we are heading as long as we are living. While the future is unpredictable with careful planning, a rational approach and decisive action the outcome of our actions can be largely predicted and controlled. All progress is made because people dared to imagine the future they wanted. You too can create a future that you want provided one does not perennially wonder Can I?

Embark on attaining your dreams – All of us indulge in careful planning but it is the decisive step of taking action that actually kicks of the plans. Planning a pleasure trip be it a picnic or an tour would entail a number of activities from dates to venue to budgets and most important the members participating. Many a time such plans do not fructify because there is no decisive action be taken for fear of opposition from vested interests like those who do not find the date, venue or budget suitable. It takes a decisive leader to take the hard decision to go ahead. When it comes to our own self we are as William Ernest Henleyw says in his poem ‘ Invictus’ I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul..       So why do you wonder Can I?

Try this:

Here are a few suggestions for you to mull over and attempt

• List out 3 of your major fears. Choose one of them as the challenge for you to overcome in the next 3 months.
• Do you have a pet project / social service interest which you haven’t yet been able to contribute to? Have a deadline and begin work on getting actively engaged in it.
• Is there an activity or hobby that you are unable to pursue because of lack of time / energy / resources ? Attempt to enjoy the fun of that activity again.
• Are there social issues on which you feel strongly? How about regularly writing a letter to the editor about it? The challenge is to get a letter published in the newspaper / magazine.
• Are you trying to get rid of a bad habit or addiction or trying to improve on some aspects of your personality but not succeeding yet? Try again. Yes you can !

This post is courtesy www.actspot.com

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Filed under: Ability, Action, affirmations, discipline, get going, Motivation, self discipline Tagged: Confidence, Daring, Enthusiasm, Opportunities, Positive attitude, self belief