I use to think that belief was the first step to success. But now I know that the first step is to take the first step. You have to act even when you don’t believe. You need to have the courage to move forward in spite of your self-doubt and fears.
When I started writing and speaking over ten years ago I had no confidence, no experience and no belief and yet I was willing to take the first step.
Did I fail? You bet.
Did I face ridicule and rejection? You bet.
Did I want to give up many times? You bet.
Yet at some point along the way, something interesting happened. I started to cultivate a belief that I could actually do this.
Belief may not be the first step to success, but it is an essential step to building our lives, careers, families and teams. At some point you must believe.
I’ve found the difference between success and failure is often belief. I’ve learned that you win in the mind first and then you win on the field, in the classroom, in the office, in the marketplace and in life. I’ve found that when you believe, the impossible becomes possible.
I’ve also learned that belief doesn’t happen by osmosis. It is something you develop through trials, challenges and experiences. The more you do something, the more you believe you can do it.
You also cultivate belief with your thoughts, words, perspective and expectations.
One of the best things I ever did was to recite certain phrases during my morning walks of gratitude and prayer. At the end of each walk I would say the following words that I have since weaved into The Carpenter:
I started saying these phrases around 2007 and it was amazing how great things started to happen. Out of the blue people would call and book me to speak at an event. Book ideas popped into my head. My purpose became clearer and clearer. I also said phrases about being of service and making a difference, but that’s a topic for another time.
For now I want to encourage you to say these phrases, or make up your own, for 30 days. Don’t take my word for it. Give it a shot. Try it for 30 days. Cultivate belief and great things will happen.
