Currently I am pursuing my Masters in Pastoral Ministry (MAPM) with Andrews University. About a month ago, in my preaching class, we were all required to preach a sermon in-front of the class. Mind you, this is a class pretty much full of preachers who usually preach every week. So as you can imagine, I was a little anxious in knowing I had to preach to them.
Not only did I have courage to preach my sermon, and did a pretty good job, if I say so myself, but the pastors in my class also encouraged me and empowered me to keep preaching.
Was I afraid and nervous? Definitely, but I had to believe I could do it. I also had to remind myself that even if I make a mistake, it’s ok, it doesn’t have to be perfect before I try… I just have to go for it.
Self-confidence does not magically appear it requires you to take action, to do something that makes you believe in yourself and know you have the potential to do anything. It requires you to challenge yourself and to see yourself beyond your limitations.
If you feel you don’t have enough confidence in yourself, or if you wish you had more, here are 5 ways to boost your confidence and begin overpowering your fears.
1. Believe in yourself. Believe you are capable of doing anything you set your mind to. Believe your voice matters and you also have important things to say. Believe you are worth it because if you don’t believe you can do it, no matter how much anyone else believes in you, it won’t happen unless you take the step.
2. Challenge yourself to do something outside your comfort zone, beyond stereotypes and gender roles. It is ok to get uncomfortable, to speak up, to do something out of the norm because it is during these moments when you are expanding your limits, you are increasing your capabilities, and reducing your fears.
3. Overpower your doubts with affirmations everyday. What you tell yourself matters and what you read and hear also impacts your life. Everyday you have to make sure to give yourself kudos, be happy and proud of your achievements, and remind yourself the kind of person you envision to be and work towards it.
4. Ignore the haters, naysayers, and critics, they will only discourage and limit you because of their insecurities and self-centeredness. Surround yourself with people who will encourage and empower you. People who see your value and potential and motivate you to be your best.
5. Accept that being perfect is not real. Perfect is a myth… being authentic is what’s real. When you are constantly trying to be someone you are not, someone who always has it together and never makes mistakes, you will never be happy. Aim for being the best you can be and go for it.
Confidence does not disappear when you make a mistake or when you fail… Confidence is what helps you to keep going, to keep achieving more, to overcome obstacles and to keep striving to be the best you can be!
#confidence #joannecortes #believe #youcandoit #beyou
