Success begins within

In order to thrive in the chaotic world, self-confidence is a necessary characteristic. Often individuals either have an overabundance or a lack of self-confidence and neither option are good.

One should have faith in their own abilities and be steadfast in the belief that the path they have chosen is right for them. In the realm of business or personal opportunities, self-confidence is a pre-requisite; humans, much like dogs, can sense fear – and fear can be expressed through our actions as well.

Those with insufficient self-confidence may feel compelled to wear designer clothes and to manage and control. It can ultimately produce a shallow life, devoid of any innate moral values. This hollow consumer will spend a lifetime in a vain attempt to hide their true problem - their lack of internal self-confidence - by externally adorning themselves in the trappings of success, thereby signaling that they are in fact a successful individual.

On the other hand, there is no place for arrogance. This is excessive self-confidence often ignores the feelings of others. Learning is irrelevant because the arrogant person always thinks that they are right. One can possess self-confidence and know that they are right for themselves and the times. However, where the self-confident person would humbly smile, recognize the relative strength of their position and perhaps attempt to educate and persuade, the arrogant person simply dismisses alternative viewpoints without so much as positing a reason for their rejection.

While self-confidence is essential, too much or too little is indeed a bad thing.

Success begins within. A friend failed her driving test three times. At that time, she did not want to be in a car. She did neither wanted to nor saw the need to drive. She was only learning to drive because her family and friends told her too, not because she wanted to. Internal motivation and external circumstances are more important than a label arbitrarily saying "You are now old enough to drive". If she lived in a remote village and desired the flexibility, then maybe the need to drive would have existed earlier and she would have passed sooner. This goes to show that a potential disadvantage is often in fact a motivational advantage. If you want to get out, then you had better do something about it. Months later, she went to Africa, where there was very little public transport, and what was available was infrequent, unreliable and sometimes dangerous. Suddenly she had a reason, a motivation, and a need to be able to drive. She quickly started studying for her driving test upon her return and passed on her very next attempt.

Don’t ever do something just because you are told that you should. Never carry out a task assigned by a superior that you see as unnecessary. Never follow social conventions or do something just because others expect it of you.

Instead focus your attention on activities that engage and interest you. You will find greater success pursuing goals and things that are personally meaningful and important to you. To do otherwise is to squander your potential, and all the while you will be wishing you are somewhere else doing something else.

To be all that you can be you must pursue what is important to you.

The fact that success comes from within and not from the directions of others is a good reason to start your own business. Then you can focus on doing things that you believe in. Success comes from self-confidence, motivation and employment.

Attitude is everything. It determines success or failure. Lazy people don’t even try. Pessimists expect the worst. Technophobes think that the Internet is too difficult to use. Anti-capitalists think that earning money is immoral.

Attitude has always been important, but now it is everything. Everything you need to be successful is accessible and there seemingly limitless opportunities available. Attitude is all about action. Failure can only result from a lack of trying.

Dr. Farrah Gray is the author of The Truth Shall Make You Rich: The New Road Map to Radical Prosperity, Get Real, Get Rich: Conquer the 7 Lies Blocking You from Success and the international best-seller Reallionaire: Nine Steps to Becoming Rich from the Inside Out. He is chairman of the Farrah Gray Foundation. Dr. Gray can be reached via email at fg@drfarrahgray.com or his web site at http://www.drfarrahgray.com.