Happy Life and Work - Self Confidence

Life and our careers can be tough. We often hear people refer to the “game of life”. Well let’s just say for the sake of argument that life is a “game”; Life is very often not a fair game is it? And, Life is often anything but fun; it can honestly be exhausting, and make you want to just stay on the bench, or quit…cant’t it? Furthermore, it seems that only a small percentage of those playing this “game” are really ever successful or even enjoy it. So, how can you an I find success and happiness while we play life? How do we confidently go about achieving greatness? Is there a model we can follow? Are there steps we can take to become better at and in life.

I believe that to discover our own greatness, we must learn from others who attained greatness. Did you know that Henry Ford, who is given credit for the modern day assembly line, got the idea after touring a meat packing plant and witnessing an efficient process for transforming cattle into lean cuts of steak. What he learned that day gave him not only a great idea but great confidence! He took the idea he had seen, applied it to his life (automobiles), and became the father of the assembly line and made it possible for more and more people to afford a car.

The only thing holding you and I back is an idea of what it takes to be successful and happy, and the confidence that comes with having that knowledge. One of my favorite examples of success and work life contentment is John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach. In his book, Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success: Building Blocks for a Better Life, Coach Wooden shares his 32 proven fundamental building blocks for structuring a life of achievement and contentment. You will discover the model that helped this 10-time NCAA Champion excel as a husband, father, mentor, basketball coach, leader, and teacher. Get your copy today and gain the knowledge and confidence you need to be a champion and win in life!

Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success: Building Blocks for Life By John Wooden / Gospel Light

Is low self confidence or low self esteem keeping you from experiencing and achieving everything life has for you. Gaining, building, and creating self confidence and self esteem can be vital to experiencing happiness in life and at work. Overcoming the circumstances and people in our lives that might defeat us is sometimes very difficult. But, honestly, we are often part of the problem; our attitudes become our worst handicap. We keep ourselves from becoming champions in life. Many people are so preoccupied with the stumbling blocks in their path that they have little time for the building blocks necessary to construct an exemplary championship life.

Pat Williams, in his newest book, Who Wants To Be A Champion, believes it’s time to clear the road and get on with the business of living a more fulfilling life. The culmination of twenty-five years of research and a lifetime of experience, this book challenges readers to get off the bench and confidently throw themselves into living to their greatest potential.

I recommend Who Wants To Be A Champion to anyone seeking to improve and build self confidence. Pat Williams, co-founder of the Orlando Magic, host of a radio show, father of nineteen children including fourteen he and his wife adopted, and an avid collector of stories and quotes, delivers a rallying cry to anyone ready to become the champion they have always dream of and God intended. He provides 10 keys to living a championship life:

1. Think the right thoughts; read more to grow
2. Say the right words…they are powerful
3. Practice specific goal setting
4. Take responsibility for your decisions and choices
5. Seek out the right friends and associates
6. Turn hurt, pain, and setbacks into strengths; learn, grow, be better, impact others
7. Go the second mile; practice diligence and perseverance
8. Never give up; quitting is often a permanent solution to a temporary problem
9. Character counts; honesty and integrity must be 100% or nothing!
10. Live your life by faith

Buy Who Wants To Be A Champion and be happier in life and at work!

Being Happy in life and work comes easier when we are confident. The challenge is gaining self confidence, especially in a world that demands perfection. I have searched long and hard for resources and tools that will help me and you with this challenge. You know, as well as I do, that there are hundreds of “secretes” to building self confidence out there. And you also have undoubtedly determined that, although these “secretes” may cause you to feel more confident for a short period, they never truly build in you the lasting, real confidence and assurance you desire. I agree, and I would like to ask your permission to share with you what I have found to be the only real answer to building your self esteem and confidence.

In my research and study I have found that a more personal understanding and assurance of “whose we are” is much more helpful to improving one’s self confidence, and in fact is the key to living a life of absolute freedom and confident assurance. Let me explain.

Have you ever found a stray dog or cat, or should I say have they ever found you? Most, if not all of us, have had this experience. The dog or cat has wandered away from home, lost his bearings, is typically hungry, and looking for help. What is the very first thing we want and need to know in order to help this lost, scared, sad, and hungry pet? That’s right; Who does the pet belong to. Knowing his name (who he is) is nice, but does very little to really help him. But, when we know “whose he is”, we have made a truly important and helpful discovery. So, What do we do? Right again; we check for tags that will tell us whose he is, and contact the owner who is really the one who can help him most…meet his needs.

What does this have to do with building your and my self confidence? Glad you asked! Just as, in our example, the pet is lost, when we have a low self esteem and lose confidence, we get lost too. We wander, we search, we get scared, we get sad, and we get hungry to get back to the place wher we are confident. And, as in our example, knowing who we are is not as important as “whoes we are”.

Can you answer this question? Whose are you? The answer is very important, especially as you seek to build confidence and self esteem. Take a moment and consider “whoes are you”?

I want to ask you to please consider this…that God created the universe and everything in it. This would include you and me. So, that would mean that we are God’s creation, his children. He is our Heavenly Father, and if someone were to ask, “whose child is this?”, the truthful answer would be “we are God’s.” So, the answer to the question “whose are we?” is “we are God’s”! Why is this truth so important to our confidence, self confidence, and self esteem?

This truth is vital…it is everything when you consider that most of our self confidence and self esteem issues are the result of lies we have heard all our lives. It is not uncommon for people with self confidence challenges to have heard from their parents, friends, bosses, spouses, and even the media that they are not talented enough, not smart enough, not attractive enough, or that they are incapable, inept, no good, too heavy, too thin, too slow, too shy, too loud, dumb, ugly, and perhaps worst of all, unlovable. Well let me assure you that none of that is true. How do I know it is not true. I know because God says so!

God says that he “knit you perfectly in your mothers womb” and that you are “wonderfully and fearfully made”. God says he created you in his image. God says that you are “more than a conqueror”. God says that “You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength”. God says he loves you, he created you with some very unique and special gifts, and he has a wonderful plan for your life; “plans to give you hope and a future”. These are the truths about who we are because of whose we are. Knowing these truths, greatly changes how we view ourselves, our abilities, are capabilities, and our value as human beings. This knowledge gives us the strength and assurance to overcome any challenge that comes our way; we can now live life, not with self confidence, but with confidence in who and whose we are! Understanding this helps us erase the doubt and overcome the insecurity that prevents us from discovering the greatness God has in store for us!

So, to honestly and truthfully deal with our self confidence and self esteem challenges, we must first pick up our Bible and discover the truth about whose we are and what our Heavenly Father has to say about who we are and how special we are! Please allow me to personalize this for you!

To honestly and truthfully deal with your self confidence and self esteem challenges, you must first pick up your Bible and discover the truth about whose you are and what your Heavenly Father has to say about who you are and how special you are!

If you don’t already have a Bible, here are a couple of great choices. The first is for my digitally needy brothers and sisters. The second is just….well…just a Bible, God’s word…his revelation of himself to us. Go ahead, get to know him.

You are on your way to truly building your self confidence, and remember God will never leave you nor forsake you…when is the last time someone said that to you and meant it? God’s peace be with you. Bob

Go Bible, NIV–Digital Bible Player By Gobible”I thought I wanted an ipod for Christmas, but my wife bought me an “iGod”. The GoBible is awesome! This little MP3 player does everything they say it will just like the company says. I especially enjoy the topical and Bible story indexes. Plus, this little dynamo is searchable to the verse level–you can pull up any verse in the Bible and listen to it. The NIV is narrated well and in dramatic fashion. Lastly, there is a “Hear the Bible in a Year Plan” where you can listen to scripture every day instead of read it.”

The Life Application Bible was created for the reader who wants to answer the Question, What does Gods Word mean for my life today? This edition is full of features that will help you understand the timeless lessons of the Bible, including application notes, character studies, maps and charts, detailed book introductions, and more. The Life Application Study Bible is a rich resource to help you live out your faith in practical ways.

To get you started and excited about discovering God in a real personal way, here are a few more examples of what God has to say about you:

• You are God’s workmanship!
• You are god’s child!
• You have been redeemed and forgiven by God through the death of his Son, Jesus Christ!
• You are God’s temple!
• You are God’s coworker!

Secondly, I recommend reading and studying some additional resources from some published experts on building self confidence and self esteem from this Biblical world view. Here are a few of my personal favorites. I have included one specifically for women:

What makes the difference between a winner and a wannabe? Winning coach and pastor Tom Mullins sums it up in one word: confidence. Taking lessons learned on the playing field and wisdom learned from the Word of God, Mullins shows how to create a life worth living, even in the toughest times. This thoughtful guide helps you find the courage to face the challenges of life and then shows you how to overcome them. Packed with insight and inspiration, The Confidence Factor empowers you to develop the winning edge in the game of life.

“Tom Mullins greatly impressed me when I met him in person, and I pray that his devotional book will be a blessing to you.” - Dr. Billy Graham

“Helping people feel more confident is a tremendous gift that few leaders pass on to others. Tom Mullins has that ability. Every day I watch him uplift people. Now it’s your turn. Read this book and give your confidence a boost.” - Dr. John C. Maxwell

One sure thing about life is its constant uncertainty. Life changes all around us and some of these changes shatter our world:the bad news from the doctor, the job layoff, the child that drops out of school, the business that ends with bankruptcy, the secrete habit that is publically exposed. Shaken. Crushed. Defeated. Fallen apart.

The immovable, unshakable life is not a life without problems but a life lived above these problems through a living faith in God and faith in the scriptures. It is faith that plants your feet on the ground and refuses to be moved. Undefeatable, unbeaten.

Hinds’ Feet on High Places is one of Hannah Hurnard’s best known and best loved books. This book is a beautiful allegory dramatizing the yearning of God’s children to be led to new heights of love, joy, and victory. Follow Much-Afraid on her spiritual journey through difficult places with her two companions, Sorrow and Suffering. Learn how Much-Afraid overcomes her tormenting fears as she passes through many dangers and mounts at last to the High Places. There she gains a new name and returns to her valley of service, transformed by her union with the loving Shepherd.

“….this book touched the secret recesses of my heart more than any other book I’ve ever read. There are places in our hearts that hold things unspoken..feelings we have that cannot be put into words. As God and His word touches these places, so did this scripturally sound allegory about suffering, pain, fear, hope, yearning, and above all, the willingness to trust our Shepherd’s leading at any cost. Much like the bible, which can be mined for treasure over and over, I believe this beautiful story is the same; I will treasure it forever and re-read it often”.

A devotional for women’s Bible studies or individuals that explores how to gain confidence that God will work in you and through you. While self-confidence fails, God-Confidence is absolute in its assurance.

“…you’ll find yourself greatly encouraged, challenged, and motivated to turn loose of self-reliance and soar free on God’s strength.”