Strong belief in your self, your dreams and your abilities makes it one heck of a lot easier to take action and feel motivated. You’ve probably experienced that – or it’s opposite! – for yourself.

So if you think your next year might include:

• Taking on Something Big
• Having some flat out crapulent days, where you doubt yourself and feel like giving up
• Getting really good at caring for your self (or continuing to do so)

… here’s ten practical ways of boosting and maintaining your self belief:

 

Listen to encouraging stuff
There’s soooo much available to download these days! There’s inspiring speakers, uplifting songs – use tracks you already know or search for key words in any music download site.

Read something positive
Have a browse in your local book shop or online for anything that makes you feel good – a story, biography or practical tips and insights, like these six books.

Draw, Paint or do a Collage
Get a goal or question in mind, and let yourself create a visual picture for it. The image is uniquely yours, packed full of what matters to you.

Take one small step
How small’s small? Can be teeeeeeeny! A step may be looking up one phone number or doing five minute’s exercise. If you can comfortably say to yourself, “Well, I can do that!” then it’s a small step.

What have you already done that’s similar?
Use your experience more broadly! Even if the focus was different, the way you went about something in the past can provide you with valuable insights for your current interests.

Find yourself a Champion
Find a friend or coach who believes in you and your goal, will be honest with you, provide genuine feedback and champion your dreams when your doubts are getting over excited.

Practise the easy way
To reduce some of the unfamiliarity with a new skill or goal, find a way to practise it. Do a pilot or dummy run in a safe environment. If you can’t do it for real, see, hear and feel how you’d like it to go in your imagination – that’ll work too.

What’s already happening?
If you have a goal that feels a long way off, a more motivating focus might be to remind yourself of all the signs that you’re already on route – some feedback, steps already taken, skills you already have…

Do something a bit adventurous for you
Do this safely, with someone you trust! The idea is to take on a stretch and succeed. And if you can take on that adventure, what else might you be able to do?

Find role models
Seek out people who build your belief in what’s possible. Could be big names, famous folk; or it could be a friend, relative, someone you work with. Ask them questions that help you, or just use them as tangible proof!

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe – Anatole France

Relaxing, inspiring, belief-restoring Welsh Mountain Retreats – with Chocolate Pudding

In beautiful Capel-y-ffin in the the famous Llanthony valley