What can you do to start believing something that you really dont believe to start with?

Question

Now, this may be a bit 'out there', but what I'm getting at is beliefs about myself.
I'm pretty sure now, having read and thought an awful lot about this, that people like Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Trump, etc succeed so much primarily because they have almost total belief in themselves.
Trouble is, I DONT have total belief in myself. What can I do to change this? I believe that I'm pretty smart/knowledgable, etc. But this is not enough! If totally honest, I believe that I am 'average'. And as long as that belief prevails, I will stay 'average'.
So, in summary, how do you foster a REAL belief (and it has to be a REAl belief, not just a 'positive thought').

Answer 1

I really think you are way off the mark. Extremely successful people are after all, just people. They have the same problems as everyone else. The reasons they succeed are very different. For some, it is simply one brilliant idea. For some it is recognizing a new use or approach. For some it is the willingness to take a risk. And for some it is just dumb luck. What they usually share is not perfect belief in themselves but a desire to persevere when others would give up. There are even people who have made and lost huge fortunes several times.

You may believe that you are average but the who's who of successful people is filled with ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. Decide what you want to achieve, figure out the best way to achieve it and then persevere.

I saw an interview with Bill Gates once years ago. He was filled with self doubt most of the time. He told of how once MS was successful his accountant kept getting on him because he held too much cash in reserve. Gates did this because he was scared to death business would fall and he would not be able to make payroll. So he always kept more than enough cash on hand to pay his employees. He is also very shy.

Remember, the race does not always go to the swift but to the determined. Nothing builds your self-esteem like success.

Answer 2

You can't 'force' belief, so don't ...

As for believing in yourself- that's something you just come to by building confidence or just getting through on bulls#!t.
Reading how other people succeed is also self defeating, just think of something you do well, and do that. It can be something small at first, but then once you are getting complimented on that, move to another thing - and apply the same attitude you did to the thing you did well. Just try not to become an egoist- remember to stay grounded- just because you are good at something doesn't mean you can't be toppled- even Trump lost it all at one point... You are already halfway there, since you KNOW you are 'pretty smart'- you're just too 'stupid' to let that non-belief to hold you back... Leap into the FRAY! Life's too short- and if it beats you, get up and go again. that's it.

Answer 3

You can't. You first have to realize that there is always going to be someone prettier than you or smarter than you or faster than you or... etc etc etc. Once you come to peace with this, you can start to relax and get on with the things you need to do.

Sit down and make a list of at least 20 things you really like about yourself. You have already begun your self assessment. Then write down things you feel you need to improve on. Tackle the easiest challenge on each list and work on them. This is the kind of internal challenge that leads to change for the better. When you shave give yourself positive affirmations. I can be trusted. I am smart. I like small animals. I have good teeth. Whatever! Just make it positive.

Challenge your body. Get out and do something that challenges your body! Find a physical challenge and strive for it. Maybe it is a marathon or just cycling a particular mountain. Maybe it is just walking around the block! Just such small success will begin to instill confidence deeply inside you. It is from such small seeds that self assurance and self respect grow.

Set your own goals and do not shackle yourself by dreaming of things attained by only 5% of the population! Trump may be wealthy, but at what cost? He has the depth of a tsetse fly and his taste is as poor as his ego is monumental. All the gold in the world will not fix his hair!

Find some intellectual or business activity that you are good at and push yourself as you did the physical exercise. I guarantee you that in reaching this goal, and in the attainment of it, your inner confidence will begin to blossom even further. I dunno about the rest of the world but some of us are not naturally gifted with self assurance and have to grow it ourselves.

Positive visualization also helps. Carry in your mind at all times a complete and detailed vision of the goal you wish to reach. One does not reach the top immediately. Even famous people start somewhere, often at the bottom. This is part of the challenge of life..... striving towards a goal.

Once these small truths begin to manifest in your personality, you can move from strength to strength as you wish. This is the key to success.

I have an idea you are still young and are dreaming of a big future. Face it honey, you only get there with a combination of luck and hard work. And we all know that luck is only a matter of having the skills and being in the right place at the right time.

Despite aspirations of our youth, most of us live our lives as "average". There is nothing wrong with that. Absolutely nothing. One man's average is another man's failure. BUT. One man's average in more cases than not is another man's dream come true! It is all a matter of perspective. Just be yourself, what will be will be.

You know you are smart and knowledgeable. The only way you will reach your goals is to build your strength from within. I think I have given you a few ideas. And remember to pray. Nothing is worth while if you lose sight of yourself.

Answer 4

Someone to admire is Gates, because yes, he seems to believe in some very important issues in life other than just himself. He was inspired by Jimi Hendrix the musician, and rock star. So, in other words he "Loved" what he did, and used inspiration of others to foster his belief. You have to LOVE what you do, and okay Trump, and Dell, said this too. This is true. You have to find your passion in life, love it, promote it, eat it sleep in it and the rest will follow, you'll have your self-esteem, built from what you can love in life and sharing with others.

Most of all, you don't have to be rich in life with money. I don't care what anyone says I know....Money does not buy the sweeter things in life.

Answer 5

You'll believe when you have proven it to yourself.
Go on, set yourself a task, a time limit and go for it.
It does not have to be something outlandish like learning how to play the guitar in 3 days. It has to be something that can be achieved by almost anyone.
Keep setting tasks, then goals and work towards achieving them. That is all you need do.

Answer 6

Books and tapes of positive affirmations--and self-help books on self-esteem/self-confidence. You can normally find these at the public library. Use them--daily.

Learn to meditate to clear your mind--you don't need to be thinking this "average" nonsense.

People do feel better about themselves when they walk in the fresh air every day, and do other forms of exercise. They also feel better about themselves when they are trying to eat as healthy a diet as possible--really.

Answer 7

Donald Trump is a narcissist.Narcissists are nurtured by their parents to believe that they can do no wrong.If you believe that Donald Trump is a success,then I can only feel sorry for you.It is sad that anyone would aspire to be like Donald Trump.