The Little Engine That Could
Do you remember the story from childhood? As a final resort, a little blue train engine was conscripted to pull a disproportionately large load of freight up and over a mountain. He gathered his courage for the daunting task which would normally be assigned to a much larger and more powerful locomotive. All the way up he could be heard saying to himself, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.” With great fortitude he makes it to the top of the grade and in satisfied celebration coasts down the other side to the accompaniment of, “I thought I could! I thought I could! I thought I could!” That might have been powerful inspiration for an impressionable preschooler, but it is also a timeless reminder of the importance of confidence.
What is the tally of “things that could have been but never were” due to a lack of confidence?
- Books that were never written
- Promotions that never materialized
- Adventures never experienced
- Risks never taken
- Relationships never realized
- Careers never attempted
- Ministries never put in motion
- Businesses never started
- Pictures never finished
And on and on and on . . .
What would the world look like today if that pent-up creativity had been released? How would your workplace or your family or your sense of accomplishment be different if you had not lacked the confidence to move out in a particular area?
Confidence is more often than not the determining factor in success and in being all you can be.
Well, the good news is that valid, appropriate, productive confidence can be learned! Try some of these strategies:
- Do something! Fear is the enemy of confidence. The antidote to fear is action. Do the thing you fear, or at least take a step in that direction; e.g., research the steps for opening that business; sign up for that class; interview someone who has done what you want to do. Even “baby steps” release the paralysis of doing nothing. The alternative is to become even more bemired in feelings of inadequacy.
- Remind yourself of your “why.” Why do you want to try out for that play? Why does taking a pottery class sound intriguing? Why does the community need the service you have to offer? How did that dream to get a degree get in your heart? What would it feel like to get your manuscript published? Make a list of what life would be like if you stepped out of your comfort zone; make a list of what it would be like if you didn’t. Which list do you like?
- Set some goals and focus on achieving them. Achieving goals is guaranteed to increase confidence. You are accomplishing something, seeing progress, and proving to yourself that you can do it! Progress is encouraging and propels you to set and achieve even more goals, entrenching yourself in a cycle of fulfillment.
- Surround yourself with encouraging people who will help you know that you have a lot to offer the world. Make yourself accountable to one or more of them. Find someone who will check up on you as you take action and who will be there to help you stay the course. Everyone does better with a coach!
- Adopt a positive mindset. Think and say positive things. Avoid negative self talk. Henry Ford said, “Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.”
- Stand tall—literally. A commanding presence is more about posture than size. Spine straight/ shoulders back tells your brain that you are ready, willing, and able to take on the task at hand. Then your brain informs your emotions so your feelings of confidence are projected to the world around you.
Deep within the heart of a leader is the desire to do more and to be more. Don’t let lack of confidence hold you back.
If the little blue engine could do it, so can you!
What would you do now if you had the confidence?