Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis. You only use about 10% of your brain. Sit too close to the TV, and you'll go blind. These are statements that were previously believed to be accurate.
We now know they are misconceptions with no basis in reality. Here are three myths about confidence that can keep you from getting everything you want out of life.
1 – You Have To Be Born with Confidence
Many people believe that you either have the confidence or you don't. You can't acquire it. How many things have you learned in your life? You certainly weren't born with all that knowledge or every skill and ability you have right now. The truth is that no one is born with confidence.
What you become is up to you to decide. Think about your life experiences. How much have you grown in just the last few years, and since you were a younger and much different person? Confidence comes from facing challenges. You move past uncomfortable boundaries. You believe you can succeed instead of limiting yourself by saying, "I can't."
2 – You Must Reach Success before You Become Confident
The opposite is true most of the time. Successful people achieved their goals because they had a plan, took action consistently, and never gave up. It is those character traits that create confidence. The confidence was built as they went after the things they wanted to get out of life.
Confidence is what gives you the firm belief that you can succeed. You might need to gain the skills you need. The road ahead might be difficult. You may be attempting something that not many people have accomplished. It is your confidence that helps you move forward in these situations.
If you don't believe in yourself, you will embrace the idea that you can't live the life you want. Successful people do the opposite long before reaching any noticeable success level. They believe in themselves and do whatever it takes to create the reality they're looking for, and success follows.
3 – Confident People Never Lack Self-Confidence
Comedian Steven Wright often experienced performance anxiety before he went on stage. This happened throughout his career, even after he became successful. Songwriter and singer David Bowie was not always as confident as he appeared on stage. He said he often struggled with low self-esteem and battled this issue by constantly working.
Author, civil rights activist, poet, and Noble Laureate Maya Angelou had a powerful belief in herself, but this was not her mindset all of the time. She said her confidence was sometimes weak. She had to restore her belief that she was worthy of praise and capable of accomplishing her goals.
Some days, you arise full of energy. Your mindset is positive; you know it will be a great day. On other days, you are still determining if you should leave the cozy confines of your comfortable bed. Confidence is like that.
One thing to understand is that if you aren't confident, it might be because you are pushing your boundaries. That's a good thing. You improve your confidence by leaving your comfort zone and discovering how much you can accomplish.
If you lacked confidence as a child, that doesn't mean you can't develop it as an adult. You don't have to become successful before you enjoy Self-Confidence and high self-esteem. Confidence precedes success. If you feel a little less than sure about your abilities sometimes, that's okay. This happens to everyone.
The good news is that there are certain things you can do to become more confident than you are right now. So don't give in to these or other myths about confidence. They threaten to keep you from living your desired life and achieving your goals.
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