Hmm, self confidence. Self confidence is *not* = the blind belief that one can accomplish any given task. That is neurotic = behavior.

True self confidence is the belief that one can = deal with any obstacles that come along. That may or may not gain a specific goal = but it will give one the chance. That self confidence is built not given. It is developed not born with. It is available in direct proportion to what we invest. Self confidence is not a superiority over others, it is a = control over ourselves.

We can get true self confidence in one way and = one way only - we go get it. Whether we see ourselves as influencers of our = lives or reactors to our lives is important. If we are influencing what happens to us, we prepare. If we are influencers, we take steps to make the obstacles understandable. If we want to influence, we train.

Every time we go out when we don't want to we = learn more about ourselves. The times when training sessions are easy are nice but = teach us nothing and prepare us for nothing. Self confidence is built and = earned by intelligently facing situations that make us uncomfortable. =

The 'intelligent' part is important. Without = that, we don't progress.

Every time we intelligently push through the = limits we've set for ourselves, we become more self confident. People talk of 'pain' = in training. If they are truly feeling pain and they continue, they are = idiots. If, instead, they are feeling uncomfortable - facing new = limits

- then they are earning self confidence. Good = training programs challenge these limits.

It is up to us to respond to intelligent = training in a way that allows us to feel proud of what we've done. Being proud of an = earned accomplishment is not vain, it is mandatory. If we are happy with the = effort we've produced we'll be a little more happy with ourselves. This is a = good thing.

Not everyone can develop self confidence. There = are some people that (for whatever reason) who feel a need to put failure AND = success off to other influences. Horse apples! We get what we get. There may be obstacles that keep us from reaching a specific goal but the effort we = put forth is totally under our control. It's that effort that is determined = by self confidence and that is earned by intelligent training.

By:  Layne Wallace, an acquaintance of mine = from Florida.

Debi Bernardes

USAT Level 2 Coach

USAC Level 3 Coach

8385 Tomahawk Drive

King George, VA 22485

(540) 775-4952