Mr. Achievement - Stanley F. Bronstein - Personal Development BlogPersonal Development Blog of the Founder of the Achievement IQ Movement and Creator of the Laws of Positioning

Law #13

Position Yourself To Be Confident

Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks in great and honorable courses with a sure hope and trust in itself. (Cicero)

Confidence - Full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing. Belief in oneself and one’s powers or abilities; self-confidence.

Feeling - A consciousness or vague awareness. An emotion or emotional perception or attitude.

Mind - The element, part, substance, or process that reasons, thinks, feels, wills, perceives, judges, etc..

Embarks - To set out on a venture; commence.

Great - Wonderful; first-rate; very good. Unusual or considerable in degree, power, intensity, etc..

Honorable - Of high rank, dignity, or distinction; noble, illustrious, or distinguished.

Courses - A direction or route taken or to be taken.

Sure - Free from doubt as to the reliability, character, action, etc., of something.

Hope - The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

Trust - Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing.

Itself - Its normal or customary self.

Source: Dictionary.com

What Does This Quote Mean?

To me, Cicero meant that in the way to have belief in oneself and one’s abilities, talents and ideas is to gain an awareness, an attitude, where your mind sets out on an unusually powerful and distinguished journey, all while being free from doubts and full of a belief and strength in your abilities, talents and ideas.

In the television show Babylon 5, its creator, J. Michael Straczynski summed it up best:

Be like the arrow that springs from the bow. With no hesitation, no doubts, and a path that is clear.

So What Do We Need To Do

We need to believe in ourselves, our abilities, our talents and our ideas. We need to believe we can do anything we set our mind to.

If we have children, we need to teach them to believe in themselves, their abilities, their talents and their ideas. They need to learn that they can do anything they set their mind to.

If we have employees, we need to teach them to believe in themselves, their abilities, their talents and their ideas. They need to learn that they can do anything they set their mind to.

Quite simply, we need to believe!

The Power Of Our Beliefs

One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who have only interests. (John Stuart Mill)

What’s The Difference Between Beliefs And Interests

Belief - Confidence; faith; trust.

Interests - The feeling of a person whose attention, concern, or curiosity is particularly engaged by something.

Beliefs are stronger than interests. Someone who is interested may embark upon a proper course of action, but will stop taking action the moment they lose interest.

Someone who believes has confidence and faith and they trust that they have embarked upon the proper course of action and that they must stay the course. They will not stop taking action.

One who believes will never quit. One who is interested will quit the moment it becomes too hard to continue.

The Ultimate Question

Do you believe you are on the right path, or are you only interested in following the path you are currently on?