Believe in Yourself: The Little Engine That Knows it Will

"Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe."
–Gail Devers, U.S. Olympic Champion

As children, through stories such as The Little Engine That Could, we are taught to believe in ourselves and our abilities. Yet, since opening my first business fifteen years ago, I continue to speak with people who question their own abilities. My first company was a résumé writing service and I spent time interviewing clients to learn about their backgrounds and achievements.

Some clients felt they had limited abilities and little to offer potential employers. One such client had a goal of becoming a speech therapist. Besides pursuing an education in this field, she felt she had no real experience or qualifications.

During our session, I discovered she had been caring for her speech-impaired son for the last six years. As a result, she had acquired a wealth of information through her interactions with professional therapists and others who were assisting with her son’s care. With the help of these professionals, she cared for her son ultimately creating noticeable improvements in his condition.

She was pleased to learn her experience qualified as information she could provide on her résumé. So we did exactly that, thereby giving her the confidence and belief in her abilities she needed to begin her job search.

Sometimes people are unaware of their potential and abilities, particularly the abilities of the mind. Because of this unawareness, their abilities are underutilized. One way to build confidence and belief in yourself is to compile a list of your physical abilities (e.g., I work well with my hands) and your mental abilities (e.g., I have determination).

In the same way a résumé provides you with an inventory of your achievements, skills, and experience, this list will demonstrate what you have to offer. Like my client who was surprised to discover she had six years’ experience, you may be amazed at the abilities have to offer.

While The Little Engine That Could provides a valuable lesson in its "I think I can" message, you can further improve your confidence and transform your beliefs into reality by changing your language from “I think I can” to "I will!"

For more success strategies and tips, click here to download a signed copy of "8 Ways to Think Like a Winner."

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Enrich Your Life

What it Means When You Feel Your Life is Worthless

"Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact." -William James

Imagine spending 76 days at sea…alone…in a small life raft. That’s exactly what happened to one man after he set out for some alone time at sea. His trip soon turned disastrous when his boat sank during a storm. He struggled to stay alive while battling sharks, starvation, and unbearable thirst.

During his ordeal, he frequently reflected on his life. He surmised he had made nothing of himself and being lost at sea was what he deserved. Instantly, I was reminded of all the times I had heard others say, "My life is worthless."

The truth is, of course, our lives are not worthless. Each of us has a purpose that we may not yet have realized. CNN Hero, Susan Burton sums it up this way, “We all have a gift and a purpose, and when we find that purpose we become heroic.”

Some measure their worth by other people’s standards thereby losing sight of their true purpose and worth. In her Stanford University commencement address, Oprah Winfrey recounted how early in her anchorwoman career she emulated Barbara Walters. The producers suggested Oprah change her name and her appearance. Things soon went downhill.

Thereafter, she lost her job and was offered her own talk show in order to fulfill her contract. According to Oprah, from the minute she began hosting her show she felt she was "home." No longer was she living by others' standards. More importantly, she had discovered her purpose.

If you have not yet discovered your purpose, focus on the things you are passionate about and attracted to, things that stir your excitement. These are usually clues to your purpose.

Ultimately, the man in the raft was rescued. His experience made him realize he still had goals and dreams to fulfill. When you begin having doubts about your worth, remember your life has meaning and those thoughts are reminders you have not yet discovered your purpose. Keep moving in a forward direction and you soon will.

Unleash your brilliance without boundaries,
Christine Ferguson

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