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<p>There are a few influencers on Instagram and Twitter that I follow. I have go-to people for different types of marketing, spirituality, cooking, fitness and even entertainment. These people have earned the influencer title because they have a large number of people who follow them and their work, and who take their advice.</p>



<p>But you don’t have to be verified by a social media channel to be an influencer. It isn’t about the number of people who follow you. It’s about the impact you have on the lives of those in your orbit.</p>



<p>That’s why parents take great care to work to separate their kids from others they think are a bad influence, and surround them with other folks they feel would be a good influence.</p>



<p>The good news is, you are an influencer. You have the ability right now to intentionally use your influence to make a positive impact on others within your world. Whether it is on one or a few people, the masses, or somewhere in between, here are three ways to use it for good:<br><br></p>


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<h3>1. Teach.</h3>



<p>The primary reason I follow certain influencers on my social channels is because I learn something from them. They are all teaching something in their own way, and I like soaking up their knowledge. Some of the most influential people in my life have been those who’ve taught me something. </p>



<p>You don’t have to have to have a big platform to teach others; you simply have to seize the opportunities to share your knowledge with others. That could be in teaching your kids how to cook, ride a bike or other important life lessons. It could be teaching your colleagues how to be more inclusive in their work, or it could be teaching those in your network how to balance work and family life, build a personal brand, or manage their time better.</p>



<p>Use your experience to give others a clear path for how to get from where they are to where they want to go.</p>



<h3>2. Elevate others.</h3>



<p>In his book <em>Give and Take</em>, author Adam Grant told the story of Adam Rifkin, founder of PandaWhale, who’d been deemed the world’s best networker. Rifkin told Grant that one of the ways he’d become so connected was because of his commitment to helping others get where they wanted to go. </p>



<p>He shared his philosophy of the five-minute favor. In essence, it’s about doing whatever you can to help someone else, especially if it will take you five-minutes or less. Such favors could include making an introduction, giving advice or providing feedback, or even commenting on or sharing someone’s content within your network.</p>



<p>You don’t have to limit your influence work of elevating others to just five minutes, either. Companies are taking the opportunity to use their influence and resources to help others succeed, particularly those who are underrepresented in their industries. For instance, companies like Google, PRX and Spotify implemented training programs to help more women and people of color get into the world of podcasting.</p>



<p>You can use your influence to make life better for others by doing your part to give opportunities, break down barriers and support them in their quest toward reaching their goals.  </p>



<h3>3. Lead by example.</h3>



<p>I’m a published author because my dad is one. I never knew him as a writer, but one day I called my parents and they showed me his book. I was so impressed. I was proud. I was inspired.</p>



<p>For a little while before that point, I’d dreamed of writing my own book. Now, here was someone close to me who wasn’t just dreaming about such a goal, he’d gotten it done. My dad showed me what was possible by blazing a trail with his actions. Seeing him publish his book made the dream tangible for me.</p>



<p>And so I got to work writing my own. When it came time to work on publishing it, I called my dad to get more information about what he did. Eventually I published my book. </p>



<p>One of my girlfriends is a writer. She told me recently that she was inspired to publish her first book because she saw me publish mine. She now owns a publishing company where she helps first-time authors get their books into the world.</p>



<p>You influence others by the actions you take. People are watching both what you do and don’t do, and it impacts their own behavior. There’s a passage in the poem “Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson that captures this sentiment:</p>



<p><em>“As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”</em></p>



<p>Use your influence to inspire others to do the work and live the life they dream of, by doing the work and living the life you dream of.</p>



<p>Be proactive about using your influence for good. When you do, you’ll find that those you come in contact with will be better off because of actions you’ve taken. The more you engage in the three activities above, the more your influence will grow. And the more we’ll all benefit.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p><em><strong>Read next: </strong></em><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-10-laws-of-cultivating-influence/"><strong>The 10 Laws of Cultivating Influence</strong></a></p></blockquote>



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You have the ability to use your influence to make a positive impact on others within your world. Use it for good.

You have the ability to use your influence to make a positive impact on others within your world. Use it for good. | SUCCESS

How to Use Your Influence to Help Others

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How to Use Your Influence to Help Others | SUCCESS

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Sonia Thompson is a customer experience strategist, consultant, speaker, and CEO of Thompson Media Group, where she helps companies deliver inclusive and remarkable employee and customer experiences that fuel growth.

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Sonia Thompson

3 Proven Ways to Increase Your Confidence

Personal Development

Personal Development Archives

Personal Development | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

Confidence has a hypnotic effect on people.

The first time I recognized it was at a flamenco show in Barcelona a few years back. I was mesmerized by the performance of a beautiful full-figured middle-aged woman. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her as she danced. My friends and I eventually dubbed her “the most confident woman in the world.”
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<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:&nbsp;</em><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/12-things-truly-confident-people-do-differently"><strong>12 Things Truly Confident People Do Differently </strong></a></p>
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It was like she bathed in a tub full of confidence on a daily basis. I knew if I had just a piece of what she exuded while on that stage, I would <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/do-these-30-things-if-you-want-to-be-unstoppable">be unstoppable</a>.

There’s data to back that up. Studies show that confidence is closely correlated with success, and&nbsp;<em>even more so than competence</em>.

That’s why it feels like some of the people we most associate with being successful appear to have an abundance of the coveted trait.

But the reality is, confidence is something we all can develop and increase. Even better, science has shown us specifically how to do it.

In their book&nbsp;<em>The Confidence Code</em>, authors Katy Kay and Claire Shipman went on an extensive quest to find out how people could increase their confidence. Here’s how they summarized their findings:

<em>“And so&nbsp;fortunately, a substantial part of the confidence code is what psychologists call&nbsp;volitional: our choice. With diligent effort, we can all choose to expand our confidence. But we will get there if we stop trying to be perfect and start being prepared to fail.”</em>

Take imperfect action. Fail. Use what you learn to take action again. Repeat until you consistently get results you can feel proud and confident about.

Let’s take a closer look at how to start implementing these methods:
<h2><strong>1. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/why-smart-people-surround-themselves-with-smarter-people">Surround yourself with confident people.</a></strong></h2>
In her best-selling book&nbsp;<em>Grit</em>, Angela Duckworth explained that one of the ways to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/10-questions-to-help-you-cultivate-authentic-grit">develop </a><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/10-questions-to-help-you-cultivate-authentic-grit">grit</a>, or any other trait you aspire to have, is to spend time with a group of people who are doing what you want to do or possess the skill you desire to develop.

<em>“The drive to fit in—to conform to the group—is powerful indeed. Some of the most important psychology experiments in history have demonstrated how quickly, and usually without conscious awareness, the individual falls in line with a group that is acting or thinking a different way.”</em>

Thus, if you struggle to be confident, start hanging around confident people. Not only will you start embodying the mindset that helps them be successful, but you’ll start to latch on to the activities that enabled them to get there, too.

When I started learning how to dance&nbsp;Argentine&nbsp;tango, everyone I knew danced better than me. My confidence level was at zero. But they kept encouraging me to dance, to go to classes and to try new things while on the dance floor. Their confidence in me fueled my own. And their commitment to practicing to get better made it easier for me to do the same.
<h2><strong>2. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/3-science-backed-ways-to-improve-your-performance">Take consistent action.</a></strong></h2>
I’ve spent a significant amount of time studying successful entrepreneurs, performers and leaders from many different walks of life.&nbsp;And one of the key markers that fueled their <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/10-steps-to-master-anything">attainment of mastery</a>, that gave them the confidence to perform at such a high level, was taking action. Consistently.

They showed up, day in, day out, over and over again, to do the work that would help them improve their skills.

Performers who sell out stadiums around the world, pro-athletes who dominate their sport, entrepreneurs who appear to have the magic touch—all of them invested significant time in the trenches taking the actions necessary that enabled them to get so good that they could not be ignored.

Confidence comes from knowing you are capable of completing a task to your level of satisfaction. You can’t think your way to that kind of confidence. Deliberate action (not merely busyness) produces the know-how you need.

Data proves this, as well. Dan Chambliss is a sociologist who spent years studying Olympic swimmers and what enabled them to perform at such a high level.

<em>“Superlative performance is really a confluence of dozens of small skills or activities, each one learned or stumbled upon, which have been carefully drilled into&nbsp;habit&nbsp;and&nbsp;then&nbsp;are fitted together in a synthesized whole. There is nothing extraordinary or superhuman in any one of those actions; only the fact that they are done consistently and correctly, and all together, produce excellence.”</em>

When excellence becomes your habit, confidence will be a natural byproduct. And the only way to develop a habit is to do the work over and over again.
<h2><strong>3.</strong> <strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/why-failure-is-good-for-success">Fail your way to mastery.</a></strong></h2>
You don’t get to mastery without <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/21-quotes-about-failing-fearlessly">a string of failures</a> that point you in the right direction to deliver predictable high-quality results.

Of course, nobody wants to fail. But if you want to succeed, that is exactly what you have to get more comfortable doing.

Failure leaves clues as to how to succeed. And success breeds confidence.

The more often you fail, the more knowledge you obtain about what works and what doesn’t. The more insight you have about how to produce a hit, the easier it becomes for you to be confident that the path you are moving along will bring you the results you desire. The more progress you make, the less likely you have your confidence destroyed when something doesn’t go your way.

Seth Godin is an 18-time best-selling author. Before he published any of his best-sellers, he spent 10 years as a book packager, producing a book a month. Producing 120 books, many of which sold very little, taught him many things about how to deliver work his audience wanted to buy.

James Dyson spent 15 years producing more than 5,000 prototypes before he developed the one that launched his billion dollar vacuum company. He wrote:

<em>“There were tough times, but each failure brought me closer to solving the problem.”</em>

You can become more confident no matter your starting point. It all starts with recognizing that you can develop the competence you need to be excellent. And then, of course, you’ve got to take the necessary actions that will help you get there.

In time, as your skills grow, so will your confidence, the mesmerizing effect you have on people and your level of success.
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<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:&nbsp;</em><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/8-ways-to-be-a-more-confident-person"><strong>8 Ways to Be a More Confident Person </strong></a></p>
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Find the confidence you need to attain the lasting success you desire.

Take imperfect action. Fail. Keep going until you get it right.

3 Proven Ways to Boost Your Confidence

3 Proven Ways to Increase Your Confidence | SUCCESS

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Find the confidence you need to attain the lasting success you desire. | SUCCESS

<p>With each passing day, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/6-necessary-steps-to-tap-into-your-inner-excellence">the bar for excellence</a> grows higher. New innovations come, someone hungrier and more talented than you enters the market, and external conditions change all around you. What was good enough yesterday, no longer is today. Professional sports is a shining example of this phenomenon. It seems new world records are set left and right.</p>

<p>If you want to succeed and maintain your level of success over the long term, you cannot get complacent with your current level of proficiency in a particular area. You’ve got to find a way to continue to grow, improve and evolve.</p>

<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:&nbsp;</em><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/this-is-the-secret-force-behind-all-high-performers"><strong>This Is the Secret Force Behind All High Performers​</strong></a></p>

<p>The good news is, there are a few strategies you can employ to help you improve your performance and achieve excellence. And they are backed by science. These approaches come from research by sociologist professor Daniel Chambliss. He studied athletes over a number of years to uncover <a href="https://rittersp.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Chambliss-Mundanity-of-Excellence.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">what separated Olympic swimmers from others</a> who invested similar amounts of time training and competing.</p>

<h2><strong>1. Focus on technique.</strong></h2>

<p>In <em>The Mundanity of Excellence</em>, where Chambliss published his findings, he noted a key factor that separated the good from the great was the way in which they executed similar tasks. Those at the top of their field had significantly better technique.</p>

<p>Better technique comes from an intense focus on mastering the fundamentals. So much so, that excellence becomes a habit.</p>

<p>To get started, focus on perfecting one small area of a task you are working toward improving. Once you’ve mastered it, choose another small but connected skill to practice deliberately.</p>

<p>Let’s say your goal is to become a better public speaker. First, you might work on how to deliver engaging openings. After you get to a point you’re pleased with, you could move on to effectively using visuals, followed by working on your storytelling ability, and so on.</p>

<p>The combined impact of mastering small individual elements will compound in time to help you perform at a higher level overall.</p>

<h2><strong>2. Choose the right motivations.</strong></h2>

<p>Many people’s reason for doing particular tasks is the big end result. That might be winning an award, landing a major client, getting a coveted promotion, or in the instance of Chambliss’ work, winning the Olympics.</p>

<p>But top performers are fueled by smaller motivations. When you are playing the long game in terms of reaching a grander vision, at times, the length of time between mountaintop experiences is quite long.</p>

<p>Thus, you’ve got to be motivated to show up day after day to put the work in so that you can find joy in smaller wins. These will fuel your commitment to doing the work in between the milestone moments.</p>

<p>“Swimmers go to practice to see their friends, to exercise, to feel strong afterwards, to impress the coach, to work towards bettering a time they swam in the last meet,” Chambliss notes. “Sometimes, the older ones, with a longer view of the future, will aim towards a meet that is still several months away. But even given the longer-term goals, the daily satisfactions need to be there. The mundane social rewards are crucial.”</p>

<p>These smaller motivations could be the feeling of euphoria you get after completing a workout, publishing a new article, interacting with beloved clients on a daily basis. It could even come from the joy that comes during the journey of doing your work.</p>

<p>The little things will keep your spirits high and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/7-ways-to-persist-when-everything-in-you-wants-to-give-up">keep you going</a>. Especially when the big wins are few and far between.</p>

<h2><strong>3. Maintain mundanity as you work.</strong></h2>

<p>No one wants to get their big break and then fall flat on their face. You work too hard for big opportunities to come your way to not be able to capitalize on them due to a lapse in performance.</p>

<p>That means you’ve got to approach every task you are working to complete in the same manner, so you can produce predictable results no matter the circumstances. That may mean preparing for a speech in front of 10,000 people the same way you would a group of 10.</p>

<p>This helps you focus your efforts on executing proper technique on the individual elements you worked so hard to master during your deliberate practice. It will help you produce optimal results.</p>

<p>“Winners don’t choke,” Chambliss writes. “Faced with what seems to be a tremendous challenge or a strikingly unusual event such as the Olympic Games, the better athletes take it as a normal, manageable situation (‘It’s just another swim meet,’ is a phrase sometimes used by top swimmers at a major event such as the Games) and do what is necessary to deal with it. Standard rituals (such as the warmup, the psych, the visualization of the race, the taking off of sweats, and the like) are ways of importing one’s daily habits into the novel situation, to make it as normal as possible.”</p>

<p>When you train your mind to focus on what you need to do to successfully complete the task at hand, you minimize any anxious emotions that can serve to throw you off your game at precisely the wrong time.</p>

<p><strong>It’s time for you to perform at a higher level.</strong></p>

<p>It isn’t about the amount of talent you have. Or even the level of success you’ve achieved in the past. In today’s world, continuous improvement is a requirement rather than an aspiration.</p>

<p>So follow the proven approaches above to consistently step up your game, so you can perform at your best. Then you’ll be able to experience many more big wins. That success will come as a reward for your intentional effort.</p>

<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:&nbsp;</em><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/how-to-exponentially-improve-your-performance"><strong>How to Exponentially Improve Your Performance​</strong></a></p>


Continuous improvement is a requirement, not an aspiration.&nbsp;

Continuous improvement is a requirement, not an aspiration.&nbsp; | SUCCESS

3 Science-Backed Ways to Improve Your Performance

3 Science-Backed Ways to Improve Your Performance | SUCCESS

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When you’re trying to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/5-qualities-you-need-to-reach-your-biggest-goals">reach a goal</a>, spend time learning from the people who’ve already achieved what you want to do. Because sometimes it’s better to learn from the battle scars of others than earn your own.
<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:</em> <strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/10-little-things-successful-people-do-differently">10 Little Things Successful People Do Differently</a></strong></p>
Over the last two years, I’ve picked the brains of people at the top of their field for <a href="https://trybizschool.com/series/iamtheone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">my podcast</a>. I’ve interviewed more than 100 entrepreneurs, and in each episode, I ask my guests for the keys to their success.

Not surprisingly, there were many interesting answers. But there were a few principles I heard repeatedly that were critical to getting these business owners where they wanted to go. Their advice is so universal, it transcends beyond entrepreneurship to anyone working to achieve a goal.

So, without further ado, here are the top five things I learned that successful people commit themselves to doing, no ifs, ands or buts about it.
<h2><strong>1. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/7-ways-to-persist-when-everything-in-you-wants-to-give-up">Be persistent. </a></strong></h2>
There’s an old Japanese proverb that says, <em>“</em>Fall seven, rise eight.” Failure, obstacles and setbacks are an inevitable aspect of the journey to achieving anything meaningful. In fact, it’s those failures that propel you forward. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/12-empowering-lessons-about-failure">Failure gives you the clues</a> to know what works and what doesn’t, so you can adjust as needed.

But failure scares people; it prevents them from even trying. For others, after a few slammed doors, they decide they are done. Successful people <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/7-ways-to-persist-when-everything-in-you-wants-to-give-up">commit themselves to not giving up</a>, no matter how many times they fall on their face.

A growing body of research backs up the benefits of persistence. In her <em>New York Times </em>best-selling book <a href="https://amzn.to/2xuSyFI"><em>Grit</em></a>, Angela Duckworth presents numerous sources that whittle down the essence of the mindset it takes to break through:
<p style="margin-left:.5in;">“Grit depends on a different kind of hope. It rests on the expectation that our own efforts can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-13-ways-to-improve-your-life">improve our future</a>. ‘I have a feeling tomorrow’ will be better is different from ‘I resolve to make tomorrow better.’ The hope that gritty people have has nothing to do with luck and everything to do with getting up again.”</p>
Commit to achieving your goal in advance. Relentlessly pursue it, knowing that you will not stop until you win.
<h2><strong>2. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/why-smart-people-surround-themselves-with-smarter-people">Hang out with the right people.</a></strong></h2>
One of the biggest mistakes people make when embarking on a new challenge is trying to take their journey alone. You will go much farther, faster, when you have the right people by your side. Scientific data bears this out as well.

Daniel F. Chambliss, Ph.D., a professor of sociology at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, spent years studying Olympic swimmers to understand the nature of excellence<em>.</em> One of his observations on <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/7-ways-to-go-from-ordinary-to-extraordinary">how to achieve greatness</a> is to hang around others who will push you to go farther. “The real way to become a great swimmer is to join a great team,” he says. Chambliss notes that the drive to fit in and measure up to the norms of those in your circle is what drives you to improve.

Surround yourself with people who will help you be great. For some, that means hiring a coach. For others, that means joining a mastermind group, or linking up with an accountability partner who is working toward a similar goal. Invest the time to discover <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/the-3-types-of-people-you-need-in-your-life">who the right people are</a> to have by your side.
<h2><strong>3. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/embrace-the-hustle-with-these-13-motivating-quotes">Do the work.</a> </strong></h2>
People spend countless time dreaming about success but rarely <em>do </em>anything to make it a reality. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/success-takes-time-and-hard-work-follow-these-5-steps-to-stick-with-it-to-the-end">You must put in the work</a>, consistently. Do it when you’re motivated. Do it when you’re not. Do it when you can’t see any visible progress. Do it when it isn’t convenient.

Gary Vaynerchuk is a household name in business, but he’s quick to remind people he started at zero. He credits his success to committing himself to this principle:
<p style="margin-left:.5in;">“I hear people say, ‘Well how do I get in the <em>New York Times</em>?’ or ‘How do I get that meeting with that CEO?’ And oftentimes I just say, ‘<a href="https://medium.com/@garyvee/why-1-view-is-everything-3fe415cf3678" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">One is better than zero</a>.... The concept around one is better than zero is simply a call to action to do.... It’s the patience and willingness to do 500 interviews, and conference calls and meetings over coffee that never turn into anything. I mean hell, I did <em>Wine Library TV</em> shows every day for an entire year before anyone said a thing!”</p>
Prepare yourself to do a lot of work. It isn’t always glamorous, but it will pay off.
<h2><strong>4. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/3-action-steps-for-an-honest-self-assessment">Be self-aware.</a></strong></h2>
You have to know what your strengths are and how you can leverage them to accelerate your progress. Conversely, you also have to know your weaker areas so you can figure out how to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/how-to-turn-your-weaknesses-into-strengths">prevent them from derailing you</a>.

Fashion designer <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tinalobondi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tina Lobondi</a> told me she prefers focusing on the creative side of her business rather than thinking about money. But to advance her fashion label, she quickly realized that sales and finances had to be at the forefront of her mind, even though she hated it. The changes she made as a result have enabled her business to grow.

Take an honest inventory of your skills. Then make a plan for how to improve, or get help where needed.
<h2><strong>5. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/22-ways-to-become-a-relentless-learner">Learn constantly. </a></strong></h2>
You don’t know what you don’t know. But the more you dig in and do the work, the more you will gain an understanding of the areas in which you can improve.

Sometimes that means learning things outside your wheelhouse. Dr. Marc Smith is a veterinarian and co-founder of <a href="https://pettao.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">PetTao</a>, a holistic line of pet food. He told me he discovered it was necessary to become a student again for him to grow:
<p style="margin-left:.5in;">“I can be the best veterinarian that’s ever walked the face of the Earth, I can have 400 degrees behind my name, but if people don’t know that, it doesn’t matter. And so I’ve embraced this idea of I have to become an excellent marketer, not only to help my business, but first and foremost to help people and their pets.”</p>
<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/3-techniques-to-never-stop-learning">Never stop learning.</a> Determine the skills you need to acquire to get to the next step in your journey.

Successful people have figured out how to reach their goals through trial and error. Science has tested and proven how to do it, as well. Now all <em>you</em> have to do is commit yourself to these five principles so you can be the success you know you can be.
<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:</em> <strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/12-simple-habits-that-set-ultra-successful-people-apart">12 Simple Habits That Set Ultra-Successful People Apart​</a></strong></p>

No. 1: Relentlessly pursue your goal. | SUCCESS

5 Things Successful People Commit Themselves to Doing

5 Things Successful People Commit Themselves to Doing | SUCCESS

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5 Simples Strategies for Conquering Self-Doubt

<em>He’s going to hate it.
They are going to realize I’m a fraud, and that I don’t really know what I’m talking about.
My work just isn’t good enough.</em>

Have you ever been tormented by <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/say-this-not-that-7-responses-for-common-negative-thoughts">toxic thoughts</a> like these?

I have—more times than I’d care to admit. Such thoughts infiltrate my mind, in particular when I’m about to send off an article to an editor or publish something new.

It turns out, feelings like these aren’t uncommon. Studies show <a href="https://www.chronicle.com/article/Youre-Not-Fooling-Anyone/28069/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">70 percent of people experience persistent feelings of inadequacy</a>, self-doubt and intellectual fraudulence. It’s called the impostor syndrome. And it runs rampant among high achievers.

<em>Related:</em> <strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/i-know-what-the-imposter-syndrome-feels-like-and-it-hurts-like-mad-when-youre-alone">I Know What the Imposter Syndrome Feels Like</a></strong>

Some might simply chalk it up to being humble. But living life constantly wallowing in self-doubt and second-guessing your abilities can significantly hold you back from reaching the level of success you dream of. That’s because self-doubt holds you hostage and prevents you from doing important work. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/the-3-types-of-procrastination-and-how-to-beat-it">It causes you to procrastinate</a> and play small, rather than going after big opportunities that can make a big impact.

No one is going to be 100 percent confident 100 percent of the time. But there are little things you can do to ensure feelings of inadequacy don’t cripple you when they decide to show up. Here are five simple strategies I’ve personally used to overcome those pesky imposter feelings. Use one or a combination of multiple ones to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/8-ways-to-be-a-more-confident-person">stop self-doubt from stopping you</a>.
<h2><strong>1. Be accountable.</strong></h2>
Ever notice how a deadline forces you to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/9-ways-to-stop-procrastinating-and-get-things-done">get work done</a>? When your timelines are nebulous or far away, it makes it easy to sit and waffle about whether your work is good enough. But when you focus your energy on completing the task at hand, there’s no spare time to think about anything else.

Give yourself due dates. I make weekly publishing deadlines to ensure I don’t give my mind enough idle time to chicken out of producing. And if you fear you won’t honor “false deadlines” with yourself, raise the stakes by adding in some external accountability forces. Set up a regular meeting with peers where you have to report on your progress, or announce publicly that you will deliver a project or achieve something by a certain date.
<h2><strong>2. Get in motion.</strong></h2>
In physics, Newton’s First Law of Motion states that an object at rest will stay at rest until some unbalanced force acts upon it. Similarly, an object in motion will remain in motion unless an unbalanced force acts upon it.

<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/doubtbusters-erase-self-limiting-beliefs">To overcome paralyzing self-doubt</a>, get in motion. Take one small (even tiny, if necessary) step forward to start building momentum.

For example, if you want to write a book, quiet self-doubt by writing just 50 words. It will take you less than two minutes to complete the task. And then once you’ve written 50 words, you will start to feel your resistance to write die down and you can keep going.
<h2><strong>3. Visualize yourself failing. </strong></h2>
In her research, psychologist Julie Norem found that <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/dont-think-positively/379993/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">imagining the worst case scenario </a>enabled people to perform well:
<p style="margin-left: .5in;">“When self-doubts creep in, defensive pessimists don’t allow themselves to be crippled by fear. They deliberately imagine a disaster scenario to intensify their anxiety and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/john-addison-5-ways-to-turn-your-fear-into-fuel">convert it into motivation</a>. Once they’ve considered the worst, they’re driven to avoid it, considering every relevant detail to make sure they don’t crash and burn.”</p>
<p style="margin-left: .5in;"><em>Related:</em> <strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/fake-it-and-5-other-ways-to-conquer-self-doubt">Fake It and 5 Other Ways to Conquer Self-Doubt</a></strong></p>
So the next time you fear being discovered a “fraud,” imagine all the specific reasons others would give for your work not being up to par. Then set out to make sure your work is so stellar that none of those critiques could be ever credibly be said about what you produce.
<h2><strong>4. Shut down the lies</strong>.</h2>
Often when we start engaging in negative self-talk, we end up believing the lies we tell ourselves. Eighteen-time best-selling author Seth Godin has a <a href="https://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2015/03/self-talk.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">simple solution to help you stop the lies</a>:
<p style="margin-left: .5in;">“The remedy is accurate and positive self-talk. Endless amounts of it. Not delusional affirmations or silly metaphysical pronouncements about the universe. No, merely the reassertion of obvious truths, a mantra that drives away the nonsense the lizard brain is selling as truth.”</p>
And if you ever struggle to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/4-ways-to-be-more-positive">find positive things to say</a> about your work, let other people help you. Keep a file of nice things people say about you. Every time you begin to doubt yourself and your abilities, review the file to remind yourself how you have already helped others. The testimonies from external sources will be an instant pick-me-up to get you in motion.
<h2><strong>5. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/if-you-want-to-change-your-results-you-have-to-change-your-thinking-first">Reframe your thinking.</a></strong></h2>
In his final speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a different perspective on the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Just in case you’re not familiar, the story goes like this: A man lay half dead on the side of a road, desperately in need of help. Several people passed by without stopping. The Good Samaritan came along, had mercy on the man and took care of him.

Dr. King pondered whether those who didn’t assist the man in need were stuck in their heads, thinking to themselves, <em>What will happen to me if I stop and help?</em>

He went on to talk about how the Good Samaritan reversed the question, thinking instead, <em>What will happen to this man if I don’t stop and help him? </em><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/if-you-want-to-change-your-life-change-what-you-think">By reframing his thinking</a>, he was propelled into action.

Whenever you find yourself getting caught up in feelings of inadequacy, pause for a moment and think about the people who need you to do your work. They are waiting for you to make life better for them with what you have to offer. What will happen to them if you leave them waiting? When you focus your energy outward, on the people you can help, there’s no space in your mind to nurse feelings of uncertainty.

It’s time to kick self-doubt to the curb. You’ve got too much to accomplish to let feelings of inadequacy keep you on the sidelines. The next time you start to feel like an imposter, try one of the solutions above <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/videos/youtube/tony-robbins-on-how-to-get-unstuck">to get you unstuck</a>. Once you do, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related: </em><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/10-tips-to-achieve-anything-you-want-in-life"><strong>10 Tips to Achieve Anything You Want in Life</strong></a></p>

No. 1: Hold yourself accountable. | SUCCESS

5 Simple Strategies for Conquering Self-Doubt

5 Simple Strategies for Conquering Self-Doubt | SUCCESS

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wayssteppingoutsidemycomfortzonemademeabetterperson

This is surreal.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you experienced life in a way you never imagined possible? A period of unexpected bliss when you wanted to pinch yourself to see if what you were feeling was real or a dream?

It happened to me recently. I was on a farm in rural Argentina eating homemade cheese, salami and flan with a lovely family. We warmed ourselves with the fire from the wood-burning stove as we played with the kids and traded stories about life in our respective countries.

It was a magical afternoon that I will cherish forever. And it was made possible by a decision I made a few years earlier: to embrace discomfort.
<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:</em> <strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/why-stepping-outside-your-comfort-zone-is-worth-it-even-when-its-uncomfortable">Why Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone Is Worth It—Even When It’s Uncomfortable</a></strong></p>
I spent much of the first three decades of my life doing whatever I could to stay comfortable. I was careful not to rock the boat, not to do things that made me look silly and check everything off of the “supposed to do” list.

<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/why-your-comfort-zone-is-the-most-dangerous-place-to-live">But living that way left me feeling like a caged bird longing to roam free.</a>

So I started intentionally <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/afraid-of-risks-how-to-be-bolder">making myself uncomfortable</a>. It started with small things, like learning to swim and taking surfing lessons. Over the years it grew into bigger adventures, like traveling solo through South America by bus.

Here are five transformational benefits I discovered from intentionally making myself uncomfortable. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/52-ways-to-get-out-of-your-comfort-zone">And if you start stepping outside <em>your </em>comfort zone</a>, you’ll begin to experience them, too.
<h2><strong>1. Closed doors begin to open.</strong></h2>
I knew something special was happening when I helped teach a tango class in an iconic location in Buenos Aires, the mecca of tango. It was on my third trip to South America when I recognized the payoff of meeting new people in a foreign land, learning a new dance and a new language.

Those new connections and abilities prepared me to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-how-do-you-attract-opportunity-into-your-life">capitalize on opportunities</a> when they presented themselves. Such opportunities would never have come my way had I not immersed myself in the culture. Opportunities I wouldn’t have been equipped to handle had I not pushed myself to dig deeper.

Each experience outside your comfort zone builds upon the other. And although you might not know where the journey into unfamiliar territory will take you, know that previously shut doors will start to open.
<h2><strong>2. You sharpen unused skills.</strong></h2>
I attended many tango classes while in Buenos Aires. All of them were in Spanish and spoken at a speed too fast for me to understand anything more than a few words here and there. Attending classes in English would have eased my burden, but the experience wouldn’t have been as rich.

Because of the language barrier, I discovered a new way to learn. Instead of getting instruction by listening to the commentary, I adjusted to relying on visual and tactile cues to get what I needed.

<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/podcast/ep-12-how-to-learn-something-new">And I learned.</a>

When you live within your comfort zone, it is easy to rely on the way you’ve always done things as a means to get things done. But what you’re used to might not always be available to you. So you learn to adapt and develop new skills to accomplish your goals.

In the end you’ll evolve. You’ll grow. And once you can tap into your strong suits again, you’ll have a more sharpened arsenal with which to tackle new challenges.
<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:</em> <strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/top-of-mind-why-you-should-always-keep-improving">Top of Mind: Why You Should Always Keep Improving</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>3. You can laugh in fear’s face.</strong></h2>
While in a small town in Ecuador, I had trouble getting money from the ATM. That meant I didn’t have enough cash on hand to pay for my room. And they didn’t accept credit cards. In the past, I would have been shy about talking so much in a language I barely knew. The conversation with the property manager wasn’t smooth. But in time we found a solution.

That day taught me that <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/why-you-need-to-stop-worrying-about-failing">worrying about “failure” was the least of my concerns</a>. I had a problem that needed to be solved. And if I had to look silly, mispronounce words and use a lot of gestures to solve it, no problem.

People often stay within their comfort zone due to fear of failure. They don’t want to leave a place where they know how to perform and risk falling flat on their face. But in the world beyond your comfort zone, there’s no time to worry about failing. It’s about survival. It’s about getting where you want to go with as few scars as possible.

Every time you successfully make it through a situation, you recognize the magnitude of what you’re able to accomplish <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/podcast/ep-17-face-your-fears">when fear doesn’t rule your life</a>.
<h2><strong>4. You’ll have no regrets.</strong></h2>
There were many times when being in another country wasn’t easy—especially when I was still a beginner in the language. Or during those long bus rides in close quarters next to strangers. Or when many friends and family couldn’t understand why I’d choose to wander around another continent by myself for months at a time.

But leaning into that discomfort enabled me to realize some of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-what-does-it-take-to-live-your-dreams">my long-held dreams</a>, such as visiting Machu Picchu, learning another language and living abroad.

If you’d rather not live a life filled with regret or wondering about what could have been, make it a point to ditch your comfort zone for a bit. When you do <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/10-tips-to-achieve-anything-you-want-in-life">achieve your dreams</a>, the euphoria makes up for the discomfort tenfold.
<h2><strong>5. You grow into yourself. </strong></h2>
One of my favorite pastimes is roaming around a city on foot. I didn’t know that about myself until I started traveling outside of resorts. I didn’t know how much I loved live music until I started hearing tango bands play every week.

And I had no idea <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/22-inspiring-quotes-about-freedom">how much freedom</a> there was in shutting down my extremely active mind and just going with the flow. That is until I planted myself in a world that operated in a different way than what I was used to.

When I started intentionally making myself uncomfortable, I got acquainted with parts of myself that had always existed but had been lying dormant for decades. I discovered more flaws, uncovered new strengths and felt more like <em>me</em> than I ever had when living in my “safe zone.”

And if you’d like to wake up the parts of you that have been lying dormant, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/i-tried-stand-up-comedy-heres-what-happened">do something you’ve never done before</a>. Don’t rob yourself of the chance of getting to rediscover who you are or what you’re made of.

It’s easy to understand why people enjoy being comfortable. You get in a routine. You feel in control. You can predict what’s going to happen. Although stepping outside your comfort zone can look and feel scary, the abundance of benefits that exist on the other side of a little temporary discomfort are totally worth it.

So start making yourself a little uncomfortable. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/videos/youtube/ted-talks-shonda-rhimes-my-year-of-saying-yes-to-everything">Say yes</a> to something you might have previously said no to.

The uneasiness will soon give way to bliss.
<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:</em> <strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/7-reasons-backpacking-through-bali-was-the-best-decision-i-ever-made">7 Reasons Backpacking Through Bali Was the Best Decision I Ever Made</a></strong></p>

I discovered more flaws, uncovered new strengths and felt more like me than I ever had when living in my safe zone.

I discovered more flaws, uncovered new strengths and felt more like me than I ever had when living in my safe zone. | SUCCESS

5 Ways Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone Made Me a Better Person

5 Ways Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone Made Me a Better Person | SUCCESS

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Have you ever felt like your lungs were going to explode?

That’s what it felt like during my hike up Machu Picchu.

The ancient city sits more than 2,400 meters above sea level and my group eagerly started climbing just after 5 a.m. I ended up alone, behind the group, with more than 1,100 meters left to go.

I never imagined the journey would be so difficult (evidenced by the shoes I chose to wear). I worked out regularly, but that didn’t prepare me for the altitude. I couldn’t seem to get enough air.

I wanted to give up. My body was begging me to stop. My weary mind wanted to follow suit.

But <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/3-ways-to-stay-motivated-and-keep-moving-forward">I persisted</a>. And I made it to the top—lungs and heart intact.
<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:&nbsp;</em><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/when-you-want-to-chicken-out-use-these-6-motivating-quotes-to-push-forward"><strong>When You Want to Chicken Out, Use These 6 Motivating Quotes to Push Forward</strong></a></p>
Here are the seven things that helped me keep going that day, when everything in me wanted to quit. If you find yourself in a situation where you want to give up, these lessons can help you, too.
<h2><strong>1. Ignore everyone else. </strong></h2>
In the beginning of the climb, I only saw the people passing me. Every time I saw someone hiking with ease, I felt bad about myself. But when I stopped worrying and stopped comparing everyone else’s journey to my own, I began to focus on my own mission and how I was going to achieve it.

As you <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/7-steps-to-achieve-your-dream">work toward your dream</a>, it can be easy to get distracted when you see others achieving their goals easier, faster, better than you. It can make you feel inadequate and unsatisfied with your own progress. But when it comes to conquering a goal, what’s happening with others is irrelevant when it detracts from your ability to move forward.

When tackling a difficult task, you need every ounce of energy you can muster. Make sure to channel it to a place that will propel you forward.
<h2><strong>2. Become your own biggest supporter.</strong></h2>
When I started the hike, I wasn’t alone. But within 10 minutes, I was behind and alone. At first I was frustrated my companions abandoned me in my time of need. But then I realized my burden wasn’t theirs to bear.

Although it can be energizing to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/why-you-need-positive-people-in-your-life">have others around to motivate and support you</a>, having them there is a luxury, not a requirement. That lesson allowed me to turn inward and find in myself the strength and determination to keep going. I began to encourage and high-five myself with every step.

Sometimes on the road to success, you have to walk alone. If you find yourself in that position, find a way to give yourself what you need to continue.
<h2><strong>3. Stop and appreciate the little things.</strong></h2>
I began the hike before the sun was up. As I continued to climb, it started to peek around the mountain, giving glimpses of the beauty all around me. It was magical. During the catch-my-breath breaks, I marveled at the privilege of seeing nature in all her beauty. In those moments, I gave no thought to my struggle. I was too busy <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-5-ways-to-be-more-grateful-on-the-daily">being grateful</a> for being right there.

It can be easy to focus all your energy on reaching your ultimate goal. But if the only thing you can see is your end destination, you’ll miss the beauty of the journey along the way. The new experiences and welcome surprises provide much-needed fuel to keep going.
<h2><strong>4. Focus on the next step.</strong></h2>
It discouraged me to think how far away I was from the top. So I reframed my goal into mini-milestones that made the next steps more manageable. <em>Just take one more step, </em>I thought. <em>OK, now just get over to those stones. Alright, once you get to that bench you can stop and rest for a few minutes.</em>

<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/do-these-5-things-to-actually-stick-to-your-goals">When your goal seems too big</a>, it can feel impossible, which opens the door for resistance to creep in. By breaking your target into bite-sized pieces, you can keep yourself in motion and build momentum.
<h2><strong>5. Throw your watch out the window.</strong></h2>
Before the trek, I read that most people make it to the top of Machu Picchu in about 45 to 60 minutes. It took me longer. When I focused on the time it was <em>supposed</em> to take, I was frustrated at myself for not being good enough or fast enough. But nobody cared how long it took me to get to the top and I shouldn’t have, either. All that mattered was completing my journey.

As you work on reaching your goals, stop looking at the clock. Stop measuring yourself against someone or something else. It will only serve to distract you from <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/4-steps-to-mastering-the-art-of-focus">focusing on what you need to do <em>right now</em></a> to advance.
<h2><strong>6. Stop looking for a way out.</strong></h2>
Not everyone who goes to Machu Picchu hikes. You can take a bus straight to the top and save yourself the emotional and physical strain. Early on in my climb, I thought about retreating or waving down one of the buses on their way up.

When your pain is at the forefront, it is natural to want to make it go away. But when you invest time looking for a way to abort your journey, you waste precious energy that could be used to help you <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/why-stepping-outside-your-comfort-zone-is-worth-it-even-when-its-uncomfortable">overcome momentary pain and discomfort</a> for long-term growth.
<h2><strong>7. Acknowledge your limitations.</strong></h2>
I had to be honest with myself. I was having trouble getting air and I couldn't keep the pace of the group. Pushing my body to the limit by trying to keep a faster pace wasn’t going to go well for me. My path needed to be different, and that’s OK. After implementing my new strategy, the journey was less grueling.

Your road to success might not look like everyone else’s. That’s OK. Everyone’s situation is different. Instead acknowledge where you are, so you can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/4-ways-to-turn-your-potential-into-success">give yourself what you need to be successful</a>.

As you <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/10-steps-to-achieve-any-goal">work to achieve your goals</a>, there will be obstacles, bumps and bruises along the way. When the journey becomes more uncomfortable than what you are used to, it can be easy to throw in the towel and retreat.

But if you follow these lessons, you can find the strength to keep going in the midst of difficulty. And when you persist, you’ll discover the reward was worth the effort.

<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/how-a-puppy-and-a-tomato-plant-convinced-me-to-keep-trying-and-not-give-up">Don’t give up.</a>
<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:</em> <strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/do-these-7-things-to-get-and-stay-motivated">Do These 7 Things to Get (and Stay) Motivated</a></strong></p>

When the journey becomes difficult, it can be easy to throw in the towel and retreat. Don’t.

When the journey becomes difficult, it can be easy to throw in the towel and retreat. Don’t. | SUCCESS

7 Ways to Persist When Everything in You Wants to Give Up

7 Ways to Persist When Everything in You Wants to Give Up | SUCCESS

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