Set Big Goals But Take Small Steps
Episode #10 of the course How to improve your self-confidence by Patricia Haddock
Congratulations on completing the course! Thank you for letting me help you develop this life-changing skill.
You have gained tools to help you boost your self-confidence and discovered how to:
• Cultivate a growth mindset to be more self-confident and more easily meet challenges.
• Identify your skills and abilities.
• Create an Accomplishment Journal.
• Be prepared to discuss your opinions and ideas.
• Let people know your expertise without bragging.
• Accept and deflect criticism, respond to negative feedback, and maintain a professional demeanor.
• Use confident body language and assertive communication skills.
• Reframe your perspective about mistakes and prevent them from eroding your self-confidence.
• Strengthen your abilities by studying and staying on top of your field or business.
The best way to improve something is to set a goal around it. Goals give you focus and direction and help move your career and business in the right direction. Each time you take a step toward a goal, you boost your self-confidence.
Goals are statements of intention, and they must be SMART. SMART is an acronym that has many meanings. For our lesson, we are using Specific, Measurable, Adaptable, Relevant, and Timely.
Create one SMART goal to be achieved in the next six months. Write out your goal statements to make it real and tangible. State them as intentions: I will.
But just setting goals isn’t enough. You need an action plan to achieve them. The plan is a set of steps you will take toward reaching your goal. Take a piece of paper, and list every action step you need to take toward your goal. When you finish, prioritize the steps from first to last.
Taking action is often met with resistance. You want the goal, but sometimes the steps seem too challenging and difficult. Your confidence weakens, a fixed mindset takes over, and you stall. Don’t be surprised if this happens. You’re working on building your confidence muscles, so you need to start slow and small.
Dr. Robert Maurer in his book, One Small Step Can Change Your Life, recommends that you identify the smallest step you feel comfortable taking. This is the path to least resistance. In our example, one doable, small step is researching a “growth mindset” on the internet and reading about it.
Record every step you take in your Accomplishment Journal to boost your self-confidence and provide a written record of your achievements. Celebrate when you reach a milestone, such as finishing a book or completing a course like this one!
Keep learning and growing, let your best self shine, and be the confident person you are capable of becoming.
I wish you all the best!
Patricia
Recommended books
One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer, PhD
Goal Setting: The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Goals That Truly Excite You by Thibaut Meurisse
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