Here are six beliefs top leaders have in themselves that build self-trust and makes the process of success easier.
I’ve lost 35lbs in 2023.
And it’s the easiest 35lbs I’ve ever lost.
Every other time I’ve been on a weight loss “journey”, it’s been stressful and full of worry.
The main reason was because I told myself losing weight was going to be hard.
My story about weight loss was I can’t do it successfully. I always gain the weight back. I’m a binge eater. I start strong then peter out. I’m not strong enough. I can’t control my eating… and on and on.
I think it’s quite obvious why I wasn’t losing the weight.
When you think you can’t do something … you can’t.
A big reason I’ve lost 35lbs is because I’ve decided it’s possible.
I’ve decided I can make it possible.
I’ve decided to believe in myself.
Belief in one’s self is often the biggest difference between success and failure.
So I set a goal.
I didn’t rush it.
I got the support I needed.
And I enjoyed myself and celebrated along the way.
It was work.
But I didn’t make it hard.
Today, I want to share six beliefs top leaders have in themselves that build self-trust and make the process of success easier.
1: I Can Figure Anything Out
Most leaders already have this belief. By the time you become a leader, you’ve experienced this with yourself over and over again. And it’s easy to apply this belief to situations you’re familiar with because you have lots of evidence you can solve certain kinds of problems.
The opportunity for many people is to apply this belief to things you haven’t done before.
As you advance as a leader, you’ll face many new situations with new hurdles or bigger stakes. And it’s in those moments where top leaders believe in their creativity and tenacity to figure anything out.
2: I Can Connect With Anyone
I hear people say things like “I can’t work with that person” or “I wish this person was more like this or that”. In both these scenarios (or ones like them), you throw up roadblocks for yourself.
Top leaders don’t make people a problem.
Yes, some people are going to be natural for you to work with. And some will be more complex. So what? You can figure anything out, and that goes for people relationships too.
It may take 10, 20, or 50 attempts before you develop a workable connection with someone, but that’s the job of a leader. It doesn’t have to be hard. It just may take longer with some people.
3: I’m Good At What I Do
Leaders are comfortable with believing they are good at what they do. They don’t have false modesty or deflect appreciation. What stops some people from truly leaning into this belief is their fear of becoming arrogant.
Arrogance isn’t the believing that you’re good at what you do. Arrogance is believing you’re better than someone else. And believing you’re better than someone else is usually a sign of insecurity – not self-trust.
So don’t worry – it’s safe to believe you’re good at what you do. You won’t become arrogant.
4: I Like Myself The Way I Am
There’s a difference between wanting to improve yourself, and thinking you’re broken and need to be fixed. One is about building yourself up. The other is about tearing yourself down.
Top leaders are always building themselves up. They rarely indulge is negative self-talk or beat themselves up. They prefer to invest their energy in solving problems and learning as they go.
5: Mistakes Are Part Of The Process
Speaking of learning as they go, top leaders know that making mistakes is part of the process.
The challenge for developing leaders is they take mistakes personally and make themselves bad or wrong for making a mistake. They worry that making a mistake will somehow negatively impact their development or reputation, and ultimately lead to losing their job.
Leaders know there’s nothing wrong with making a mistake. And that’s how they handle it when they make one. They know they won’t lose their job for making one as long as they learn as they go.
It’s only the folks who keep making the same mistake over and over again without learning that put themselves in jeopardy. And that’s not you.
6: I Have My Own Back
It’s reassuring when you have a friend or mentor that’s always on your side. It’s a safe place you can go where you know the person will always supports you.
When you “have your own back”, you’re that person for yourself. Whether you make a mistake, doubt yourself, have someone question your ability, face a bully, have too much work, get fired, or any other adversity that comes with being a leader, you are your own safe place.
Bottomline: Leaders Trust Themselves
Top leaders know that if they want other people to trust them, they need to trust themselves first.
