Believe in Yourself: Don't Allow Yourself to Be Labelled
When you believe in yourself, it allows you to develop and grow, because if you believe you can do it, you risk a lot more than if you think you’re incapable of achieving something.
People lacking self-confidence are constantly stuck in their comfort zone and rarely explore new things. I’ve become inspired to write this article by a conversation I overheard while traveling on the subway.
A young girl, who was probably about 25 years old and appeared to be introverted and quiet, speaking with a 50-year-old woman who appeared to be her mother.
From what I overheard, the young girl had been unemployed for years, and the sector she has the most experience in is also one that has declined the most during the financial crisis. She mentioned that since the labor market is such a challenge, she would have to find another type of work, any type of work, whether it be as a waitress, a cashier, etc.
I was surprised by her mother’s quarrelsome tone. She proceeded to tell the girl that she would be no good working as a cashier or waitress, because those were jobs for girls who are spontaneous and extroverted. The girl responded that she was right and settled with that.
The expression on her face changed completely, and she went from being excited, to being discouraged. Suddenly, the possibility that might have been able to open doors for her into the work world, had been obliterated.
I asked myself: “Why does she listen?” Even our family’s opinions shouldn’t influence us that deeply. Only people with a winner’s attitude will achieve what they desire.
People with a winner’s attitude are the ones who don’t let anyone interfere with their plans, and when someone on the outside doubts their self-worth, they “just keep swimming.” They never cancel their plans or ideas due to other people’s opinions.
The young girl on the subway didn’t believe in herself, and she allowed herself to be labeled. She came to believe that her personality didn’t fit in with what she wanted to accomplish.
Never let a comment like “you can’t do it” stop you from carrying out your plans; not even when the negative opinions come from family members.
Those negative opinions should instead serve as motivation and fighting power, because if you never try, you’ll never know if you would have done a good job or not. Change your “I can’t do it” to “I believe in myself and I’m going to try it.”
To believe in yourself is the best act of kindness you could ever perform for yourself, because if you don’t believe in yourself and your abilities, neither will anyone else.
Love and acceptance have the power to transform
When a person accepts themselves and believes in their own potential, they become transformed, and everything that used to seem difficult seemingly becomes easier.
The trick is that many insecure people take a big leap when they find a partner who makes them feel loved and accepted. Love and acceptance always bring out the best in people.
Finding it elsewhere, like in a partner, a friendship or a family, can give someone the push they need to grow. But you can easily create the same effect from the inside out.
You can love and accept yourself no matter what, and never allow yourself to be affected by other people’s negativity.
The majority of the limitations we believe we have lie in our negative mindset. If we realized everything that we are capable of as human beings, with some effort and self-confidence, we would be amazed.
The young woman I’ve been telling you about should have responded to her mother with something like this: “That’s your opinion, but I believe that I would be a perfectly good waitress or cashier, because introversion isn’t negative, and I have many other good qualities that I’m sure would be valued in the workplace.”
If you allow others to tell you what you can and can’t do, your potential will never grow. Trust and believe in yourself, value yourself and carry on.