We greet 2021 with anticipation and apprehension after the battering that 2020 gave us. We are grateful that 2020 is over, but wondering what will 2021 bring? Will it be more of the same? Buoyed by the energy of a new year, we say: “No – 2021 WILL be different and better.”
So we proceed with our usual New Year task of visioning an amazing year, setting our resolutions and creating ambitious plans. Even as we do so however, we wonder: “Can I really do it this year?”
We cast our minds back to the resolutions we set in January 2020, how hopeful and excited we were. And how our entire lives were upended shortly after. Very little that we thought were true, held up – how (and if) we worked, went to school, gathered together, shopped, exercised, entertained, celebrated, travelled. Not only did things change, but they kept changing ricocheting, often with only days’ notice. Extreme uncertainty became the new normal. Breathless, we arrived at December 31, 2020 drained, weary and lacking in confidence.
The good news is that we are not alone: author Tony Schwarz, addressing confidence, writes: “Insecurity plagues consciously or subconsciously every human being I’ve met.”
We can allow this to bring us some comfort, and to relieve feelings of guilt and self-recrimination. We are normal. But normal is not good enough for the types of dreams and aspirations we have. Confidence is what we need.
I have spent the last few days planning for 2021 – and yes, it’s going to be awesome! I am thrilled to share the process that I have used for the last few years (DOWNLOAD HERE) that has resulted in a truly exciting and inspiring vision of my life for 2021, and clear and focused actions to make it happen. Even so, I found myself battling with a lack of confidence – on the one hand, excited, and on the other, doubting myself. It took me a few days to come to terms with this and to regain my confidence and self-assurance.
Here are 3 tactics that I use and share with my coaching clients:
- Mental and emotional preparation – every morning, I meditate and repeat affirmations out loud that bolster my confidence, and get me focused for the day. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD MY 15-MINUTE GUIDED MEDITATION ON CONFIDENCE
- Ask for help – I shared my challenges openly with a few trusted members of my village, and they have been invaluable in raising me out of my funk. I am also asking for help with things that are outside of my competence or simply that I do not enjoy. Too often we think we have to do it on our own – we don’t. And I have found that people are happy to help
- Celebrate small wins – there’s nothing like success to build confidence. I identify the most important task to complete each day. With great delight, I check it off my “to do” list and celebrate – “I did it”! I go to bed with a feeling of accomplishment and pride, which of course sets me up to tackle the next day with confidence.
Marcus Garvey reminds us:
“If you have no confidence in self you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence you have won even before you have started”.
Winning 2021 requires confidence – it’s possible with daily awareness and action.
