Self-belief is not just about having confidence in ourselves; it is also about recognizing our own worth and value. When we truly believe in ourselves, we are able to overcome challenges and setbacks with resilience and determination.
Welcome to the Speak to Hope Podcast. In today's episode, Hope takes the stage at the International Kamara Youth Summit. With grace and wisdom, she reminds the youth and everyone listening that self-belief becomes the key to unlocking our power and propelling us toward our full potential. Get ready to be inspired and motivated as we journey through the power of self belief with hope. Are you ready to unleash your full potential? Let's dive in.
Thank you so very much. Good evening, everyone. And thank you, Unisa, for having this stage and this program and thank you for the opportunity to speak here today.
The power of self-belief. The first thing I want to say to the youth and to everyone is you have the power within you to achieve anything you set your mind to. The key to unlocking that power is to believe in yourself. Your beliefs are like seeds that you plant in your mind and they will grow and manifest in your life. So It's very crucial to cultivate positive self-belief.
You see our belief shapes our reality. If you believe that you're not good enough, not smart enough, or talented enough, then you will act accordingly. You will not take risks. You will not try new things and you will not reach your full potential. However, if you believe that you are capable, if you believe that you are worthy, if you believe that you can achieve anything that you set your mind to, then you will act accordingly. You will take risks, you will try new things, and so you'll be better able to reach your full potential.
Now, some of you might be thinking, but how can I believe in myself when I don't have any evidence of success? That's a great question and the answer is that self-belief doesn't come from external factors like money or fame. Self-belief comes from within yourself. Our minds are incredibly powerful. The thoughts we think, the words we say to ourselves have a tremendous impact on our beliefs about ourselves and our abilities. If we tell ourselves we can't do something we won't be able to do it. If we tell ourselves we can do it, we're much more likely to succeed. As Henry Ford once said, if you believe you can, you can. If you believe you can't, you can't. Now I know that sometimes it can be hard to believe in yourself. Maybe you have been told that you're not good enough. Maybe you have faced rejection or failure in the past. Or maybe you're afraid of putting yourself out there. We all get like that sometimes. It's human to feel these things.
I want you to know though, that those things do not define you. You're not defined by your past, you're not defined by what others say about you, and you're not defined by your fears. You're not your past, you're not your mistakes or your limitations. You are a Divine Being with infinite potential. Believe in yourself and you will attract opportunities, people and circumstances that align with your highest good. You are only defined by what you believe about yourself. Believe in yourself and take action towards your dreams.
So, how can you start to believe in yourself more? I want to offer you 5 tips or strategies to help you on your journey.
1. Be kind to yourself. The way you speak to yourself matters. If you constantly criticize yourself, you'll start believing those criticisms. If you speak kindly to yourself, you'll start to believe those positive affirmations. Pay attention to your self-talk. Notice the words and the phrases you use when you speak to yourself. Are they positive? Are they negative? Do you build yourself up or tear yourself down? If you notice negative self-talk reframe it. Instead of saying I can't do this, say I'm learning how to do this. Instead of saying I'm not good enough, say I'm growing and improving every day. Be your own best friend and treat yourself with the same love and kindness you would show to a dear friend.
2. Use visualization to create a positive self-image. Close your eyes and imagine yourself accomplishing your goals. See yourself succeeding and feeling confident and proud of yourself. Visualize yourself as the person you want to be and believe that you can become that person.
3. Focus on your strengths. We all have strengths. We all have weaknesses. It is important to acknowledge both. When we focus too much on our weaknesses, however, we can start to feel like we're not good enough. So Instead, focus on your strengths. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? What makes you feel confident? When you focus on your strengths, you can start to see yourself in a more positive light.
4. Set yourself achievable goals. When you set a goal and then achieve it, you prove to yourself that you are capable. Take action towards your dreams. Self-belief alone won't get you there. You also need to take action. Break down your goals into small, actionable steps and start taking those steps every single day. Be consistent. With each small win, your self-belief will grow and you'll be one step closer to achieving your dreams. Each time you achieve a goal, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and your self-belief will grow.
5. Surround yourself with positive influences. We all need support and encouragement. The people, books, music, and media you consume, all shape your beliefs. So choose wisely. Surround yourself with people who uplift you. Spend time with people who believe in you and support your dreams. If you don't have anyone like this in your life, then look for communities or groups where you can connect with like-minded people. Read books that inspire you. Listen to podcasts and music that energize you. Watch videos and consume media that inspire you, motivate you, and feed your soul. Fill your mind with positive images and messages that reinforce your self-belief.
Developing self-belief takes time and effort. With practice, however, and the right mindset, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Our beliefs shape our reality, and when we believe in ourselves, we can achieve amazing things. Believe in yourself and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish. So pay attention to your self-talk. Use visualization, focus on your strength, set achievable goals and surround yourself with positive influences and people who believe in you, and, take action.
Most importantly, never give up on yourself. You are capable. You are worthy. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have the right to be here. You can achieve anything you set your mind to. As motivational speaker Les Brown reminds us, "You are a masterpiece because you're a piece of The Master." "You have greatness within you" and the world is waiting for you to unleash it. There's only one you. There's no one else like you. Always remember, you are a unique expression of the universe, of God, Source Energy Love, and you have something special, something special, that no one else has to offer this world. You are enough. You are enough. Keep saying to yourself, I am enough. When you feel down, remind yourself, you are enough.
Thank you. Thank you!