HOW TO GET PAST THE BLOCKS TO BELIEVING IN YOURSELF

Most people struggle with believing in themselves to some degree. While it's natural, it also can be quite debilitating. No one ever accomplished great things without a solid foundation of self-belief.

Here are a few signs that believing in yourself is a challenge for you:

1. You give more importance to others' opinions of you rather than trusting yourself.

2. You often focus on the fear of what could go wrong or of making mistake rather than focusing on the potential big rewards of going after what you want.

3. You tend to put yourself down; your inner critic is loud and unrelenting.

4. You're still waiting for others' approval or permission before you act on just about anything that you're unsure about.

Do any of these hit close to home for you? You're not alone!

Self-belief is defined as having the ability to believe in yourself. Of course, it sounds simple and it can be relatively simple to believe in yourself, especially when things are going well for you. However, it is a different game entirely when things are not going well or when you've suffered from low self-confidence for long periods of time (for many, self-doubt struggles have roots back to childhood).

If you're ready to believe in yourself more fully, then it's time to explore the blocks to your self-confidence.

Here are four blocks to believing in yourself and some solid ideas for getting beyond them once and for all!

1. Block: You're hanging around the wrong people. Solution: Steer clear of negative people whenever possible.

Start beginning to notice who in your circle of friends, family, or co-workers brings you down. Who puts you in a negative state of mind and who elevates you? As the saying goes, misery loves company. Avoid people who bring you down, constantly criticize or demean you, and undermine your sense of self. Start spending more time with people who support you and lift you up.

2. Block: Your self-expectations are unrealistic.
Solution: Set realistic standards for yourself; no more expecting absolute perfection.

People with low self-belief tend to have ridiculously high standards for themselves. They expect perfection and since they know they can't live up to that absurd standard, instead of admitting their expectations are wrong, they decide they're just not good enough.

Life always has hurdles, no matter how talented you are. There will be times when you won't be successful. That's not an indictment on your skills or self-worth, it's just a fact of life.

It's time to stop taking the stumbles that everyone experiences in life as an indictment on your worth. Believe in yourself despite the fact that sometimes you'll fail; start believing in your ability to survive life's downtimes, knowing you can rebound from whatever life throws at you.

3. Block: You care too much about what others think. Solution: Stop waiting for others' approval or permission.

You are a strong and unique person who deserves to live a happy, fulfilling, and successful life. You don't need anyone's approval or permission to go after what you want in life. Do not let your boss, parents, family, spouse, friends, teachers, or anyone else decide your value. Your value was decided the day you were born; you're here for a reason. Claim your high self-worth now.

4. Block: You're mean to yourself. Solution: Start loving yourself more.

Loving yourself fully and completely is the most important step in believing yourself. It's time you finally accepted yourself, quirks and all. It's time you gave yourself the nurturing love that you've been giving others all your life, but which you've failed to offer yourself. Loving yourself isn't vain or selfish; it's the path to a beautiful life.

Wally Amos said, "It's so important to believe in yourself. Believe that you can do it, under any circumstances. Because if you believe you can, then you really will."

Believing in yourself gives you a fresh perspective on life, especially when you have spent your whole life thinking that you're not good enough. Believing in yourself is the key to living the amazing life you're fully capable of living.

Start now. Begin with one positive thought about yourself and then add another and another until your confidence is sky-high. Deciding to believe in yourself is the best decision you'll ever make in your life.