From self-doubt to self-confidence

Have you ever met someone who has no doubt that they are entitled to attaining their dreams - that that they deserve success on their terms? At the Womensphere Global Summit in Manhattan on October 24, 2009, I heard one such woman, Suzy Welch, speak. Ms. Welch is an author and former editor of the Harvard Business Review. Clearly, the key to Ms. Welch's success was absolute confidence. She seems to attack any objective - whether it be financial success or renown - with conviction. Her apparent and unapologetic sense of entitlement isn't a negative. Rather, it is an admirable trait.

I will never forget Michael Jordan's appearance in a 'Stuart Smalley' skit with Al Franken on Saturday Night Live long ago. Franken's character, Stuart Smalley, was a self-help television host, whose practice it was to look at himself in the mirror and utter the mantra "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and, doggonit, people like me!" It was comical to watch Franken's character assure Micheal Jordan that pre-game jitters are normal. Smalley views the world through a warped lens and assumes that everyone suffers from self-doubt. Yet, Michael Jordan shows the audience quiet, unwavering confidence. Honestly, there are times when I have felt much more like Stuart Smalley than like either Michael Jordan or Suzy Welch - in terms of self-esteem, that is.

Low-self esteem is the polar opposite of Ms. Welch's sense of entitlement or Michael Jordan's self asured demeanor. It is an insidious disease that can paralyze and prevent progress. And even if you manage to attain some sort of success, that little bit of self doubt can nag and undermine. How can you clear the low self-esteem cob webs? Accepting that you have an issue is a good first step. Review your positive traits and acheivements. Remember that there is nothing wrong with feeling pride in anything and everything you have done. Then, look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and, doggonit, people like me!" It's okay; I won't tell anyone if you don't.