When you start out with a new exercise programme, there are many different variables that will impact on whether or not your achieve your goals. The design of the programme will of course make a difference, as will what you eat, what you drink and how you set about staying motivated. However, there is one variable that will have a greater impact than any other, and that is confidence. If you really believe that you are capable of succeeding, then chances are you will. Conversely, if you don’t believe that you will reach the goals you have set, you’re going to have a much harder job on your hands.
This might sound frustrating as perhaps you feel you either have the confidence or you don’t. However, there are certainly things you can do to improve your level of confidence and increase your chances of success. Here’s one of them.
Positive second-hand experiences are shown to increase people’s levels of confidence. For example, if you want learn to swim, and you have been able to observe it happen to someone else, your level of confidence that you can do the same will increase. If you want to lose weight through exercise and you’ve seen a friend do it, you will have a higher level of self-belief that it is possible.
What’s more, the impact of these second-hand experiences is greater if the person you are observing it similar to you. They may be similar in age and ability and they are perhaps the same gender.
So how can we turn this information into something practical? You need to find yourself a positive role model. Do you know of someone who has achieved what you’re now trying to achieve? Who inspired you in the first place? If you can engage with people who have achieved what you’re aiming to achieve you will do wonders for your confidence.
Look out for more tips on how to increase your confidence in future blog posts.
Want to hear more from achieve more? Sign up here to receive our newsletter. We’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest articles, tips and healthy recipes to support you on your way to better health and fitness.
[...] The power of self-belief [...]