“Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.” -Samuel Johnson, a famous English writer.

Most people have at least one area in their life where they
lack confidence. For some, it could be speaking in public; for others, it could
be meeting new people and developing relationships; and for others, it could be
having difficult conversations. The question is: would you pass your own self-
confidence test?

The list of areas where one could lack confidence is
endless.

What can you do to build self-confidence in an area where
you lack self-confidence?

Here is an exercise you can use to develop self-confidence
in any area of your life.

Identify a major goal that you would like to achieve, but
for some reason you have failed to achieve this goal.

Identify where you lack confidence in terms of the attainment of this goal. Consider you lack confidence in some areas in achieving this goal.   If you did not lack confidence, then you would have achieved this goal by now. So, identify that confidence barrier(s).

Write at least one paragraph that describes your confidence block and your current state of mind. When you imagine yourself in this situation of low confidence, what comes up for you?  What is the movie you are playing in your head about this barrier?  Are you anxious, nervous, upset, fearful, etc… Describe your state as accurately as possible.

Now that you are aware of your confidence blockages, you can
begin to redevelop confidence in this area. Define one major activity that you
can implement ASAP that moves you towards your goal.

If you have a fear of speaking, your activity could be to
rehearse a 10-minute power speech in front of the mirror

If you struggle with meeting new people, you could have one conversation with a new person.

Or, have one conversation you consider difficult. Try this if you have a lack of confidence with difficult conversations.

Write a commitment to yourself to practice this new activity
every single day for the next 30 days. If you really want to commit to this,
find an accountability partner or coach. 
Having this form of support can be critical to your success.

At the end of 30 days, repeat Step 3 again and analyze where
you are at in terms of confidence. Rate yourself on a scale of 1-10

You can continue repeating this process until you reach the
level of self-confidence you want to have in this area.

Self-confidence is something that is developed. Lack
of self-confidence has likewise been developed over time. Start now to develop
your self-confidence by practicing these exercises and before long you will be
able to pass your self-confidence test.