14 EAT AN ELEPHANT
Try a thing you haven’t tried before three times: once to
get over the fear, once to find out how to do it, and a
third time to find out if you like it or not.
Virgil Thomson
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Do something practical to expand your self-confidence every day. Take
measured risks. Each small step should be accompanied by a clear
intention, an affirmation (or change of thinking) and mental rehearsal.
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Make a list of any habits, mannerisms, modes of speech or behaviours
which give away your lack of confidence.
Add the elimination of these to the goals you set for yourself in
Section 5. Grade your goals according to (1) importance and (2)
difficulty.
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Work backwards from each goal and break it down into small steps.
Establish a challenging but realistic schedule for completing each step.
Set deadlines. Write them in your diary and notebook.
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Adopt the Boy Scouts’ motto, ‘Be prepared’. Before taking each step, do
your homework. Find out what you need to do, practise the skills and
acquire the relevant knowledge. Ninety per cent of the outcome in any
activity depends on the quality of the preparation undertaken.
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