Page 37 - Blance book

Believe in Yourself

It’s OK to be out of your comfort zone. In my early years of life there was a long
time when the lack of belief in myself was a major factor in my life. Looking back
I wasted a lot of time not knowing that I had the strength within.

I didn’t pursue my dreams of ideal career, or start my own business. I didn’t
think I could, or have the knowledge to pursue and get started. I didn’t really
believe I had the discipline to follow through on anything. I was shy in meeting
new people. So that limited me to small number of close friends. I didn’t assert
myself in the workplace. I didn’t push myself past my comfort zone. All because
I didn’t really believe I could. For me, one of my biggest mistakes I made was not
trying, playing it safe instead.

When I decided that I wanted more out of life, I began to change my behavior and
go after things the were important for my family and me. That’s when I became
real focused on achieving my goals and creating opportunities for myself.

While I’m not free of self-doubt these days, but through the years I can honestly
say I believe in myself like never before. That doesn’t mean I think I’ll never fail
or quit, I will. But over the years I have learned from those experiences to move
my life forward. The trick I learned is that it’s completely fine to try and fail, to
put yourself out there and not be perfect. Everyone always wants to be perfect in
whatever they do, or put that perception out there with co-workers, family and
friends. But the truth is failure, not being perfect, making mistakes, not having
people agree with me, ideas not being totally accepted - these are not negative
things. They’re positive and it’s time to change that “mistake” narrative.

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