In one way or another, we are all plagued by a lack of self-confidence.

Some of us have more or less than others, but for those of us which wish to increase our levels of self-confidence, there are three easy steps to follow. If these steps are followed, you will gain the results you wish.

Step 1

Defining the problem.

You cannot gain self-confidence generally. You must know that part of your make up that requires attention. For self-confidence applies to certain qualities or abilities we have or should have. You must analyze carefully that part of you that you wish to improve. With improvement comes a natural increase in self-confidence.

A good example is to imagine that your job requires you to address many strange people and speak to them cold (without knowing them). You are anxious and nervous about this, and classify yourself as shy. Is this the case? Perhaps you just lack self-confidence? So, you must do a self-analysis, and determine what the problem is. If indeed you are shy, then you will know what to correct.

Step 2

Discovery of Little Victories.

Once you have determined the cause of your deficiency of self-confidence, you can apply this secret technique used by such geniuss as Napoleon and Winston Churchill. When something is very difficult, attempt only part of it, even the easiest part, and get a little victory. Congratulate yourself. Build up lots of theseand you will soon see how you approach the difficult parts. You will soon approach with confidence. Try it.

Step 3

Be prepared.

With the power of your investigation into the problem, practice with solutions (through little victories) you are now ready for the final step; preparation. Whatever it is you needed to gain confidence for, you must now prepare. Be ready at any moment to apply your gained experience into your situation.

The three steps above can be applied to anything in your life. Follow these and you follow also in the footsteps of the great. Here is a small example. There is a well-know story of the greatest of ancient Greek orators, Demosthenes. It is well known that he had overcome a childhood stutter by forcing himself to speak with pebbles in his mouth.

Demosthenes had a brilliant mind, and was a lawyer in private practice in Greeces golden age. He was asked many times to become a public orator, yet he lacked the self-confidence to speak in public. Determined, he investigated why and what made him stutter.

Then, with a plan in mind, he put pebbles in his mouth and tried to speak in small and simple phrases at first. He achieved his little victories , one after the other. He became proficient and then, as in step three, he began to prepare and speak in public. So great was his self-confidence, that he had the courage to challenge Alexander the Greats rule over Athens. His example has lived for over 2300 years, and has been followed by countless people desiring to increase their self-confidence.

There are other examples of great men and women who all followed this way into history.