Develop the Confidence to Lead
Self Confidence – Developing a Self Image for Confident Leadership
“It’s not how much you have that makes people look up to you, it’s who you are.”
~ Elvis Presley
Often life gives us what we ask, and that isn’t really what we want. When the struggle of who you are becomes too much to carry, you may stumble and fall, but there’s an answer, greater than yourself, for those moments. You are created, unique, one of a kind, with the God given right to exist in the life that belongs exclusively to you. Claim the right to be yourself.
- An imperfect image
People often presume to reinvent us as we allow them to influence our “package” and tell us how we should be. But their image is imperfect, flawed and incorrect, since they don’t have the whole perception of our lives. Don’t allow the presumption of others to take away your ability to exist comfortably in the skin you were created to live within.
- Permission to be
When we allow others to guide us, as if we’re asking their permission to be ourselves, we open ourselves up to burdens we weren’t meant to carry. Unload your pack and stop worrying about how to please others. Learn to guide your own life with the principles and concepts of your own desires.
- Choose your path
Own the vehicle in which you travel. We’re all travelers along the road of life, but we don’t have to be passengers in a vehicle driven by others. We can drive our own lives, where we choose to go. The left fork or the right fork, choose for yourself, and take ownership of that choice. You can choose to do for others, but own that choice.
- Dare to be unique
Use the gifts you’re given and be the person you’re meant to be. When you stop pleasing others and start looking for your inner core strengths and desires, you often find the source of life there. You were born with gifts that grow and expand throughout your lifetime, gasp them and hold them close. Use them well.
- Understand what makes you happy
Some people are bubbly and exuberant, joyfully abandoning protocol to express their enthusiasm for life, others express themselves in quiet organized fashion. Allowing yourself to be comfortable within the self expression of your choice makes you feel happiest. Accept yourself and understand the ways you feel happiness.
- Turn off the control buttons
Others push your buttons and you react? Stop giving them control of your life. Choose to act instead of react and you’ll have greater control over what you do and who you associate with. The process is similar to a thermostat – set your own and maintain your own temperature, rather than acting as a thermometer and acknowledging every cold wind that blows.
- Choose to stand out
Have an opinion and be comfortable stating it. Even if it isn’t politically correct, you have a right to your own opinions. You have a unique voice and deserve to be heard. It’s okay not to agree with every concept that comes down the trail. You can acknowledge the opinions of others and still state what you believe too. It’s okay to disagree.
By acknowledging yourself and being authentic in your own skin, you allow others to choose their own direction and have convictions of their own. It’s okay to be different, to disagree and to stand up for what you believe. Nations were built on foundations such as this. Explore your source and express yourself.
If you’d like to share your thoughts on this matter, I’d welcome your input. Come visit my blog and share your concept of life and opinions at http://janverhoeff.com/blog on topics of current interest.
© 2009 – http://janverhoeff.com
Tags: confident leadership, Elvis Presley, Jan Verhoeff, self confidence, self image
