‘’’Shola was called up to give his speech. He was fully prepared for this great occasion but he was scared. He wondered how he would face the crowd and say all what he had in his mind; he wondered how he was going to face this crowd that had supported him all through his open campaign to tell them the actions he is going to take if he wins the election. As he moved towards the podium, he heard his name from all the corners of the hall, even his opponents were intimidated from the shouting they heard.

On getting to the stage he started his presentation well, but as time went on he started shaking, he forgot all what he had rehearsed a thousand and one times. His close friends realised this and intensified their shouting, they understood that shola knew what to say but his weakness was starting to overpower him again. Shola started stammering and after a while had to step down with his head bowed down in shame. All the remaining contestants were not as competent as shola, but they were able to boldly present the ideas they had within them conveniently, convincing people to join their train and support them.

Shola lost the Election not because he was not PREPARED or CAPABLE but because he lacked CONFIDENCE.’’

WHAT IS CONFIDENCE?

Confidence has different meaning due to the different perspectives it can be viewed from

Confidence is the belief that you are able to do things well enough to your expectation. Confidence is you believing in your ability or power. confidence is knowing within you that you are capable of delivering quality performance and understanding that you can further learn how to improve on that quality performance. confidence is knowing that you can make a difference, that you can learn how to influence situations positively, manage relationships with people and faithfully earn the respect of others. confidence is not the feeling that you think you are better than others, but a feeling that you can be better than your current position and status. Confidence is all about finding out your strengths, noting down your weakness and using these strengths positively to your advantage while developing your weakness. confidence is understanding that you have the attributes that make people attached to you, respect you, trust you and that you are charismatic enough to make people always value you and want to learn from you. Confidence mean to put one’s trust in someone completely. Confidence could also mean believing in a spiritual being. Confidence is knowing within you that you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF LACK OF CONFIDENCE?

It has however been noted that lack of self confidence could be as a result of;

Physical Disability such as diseases like epilepsy or Sickle-cell anemia or not being able to use part of the body well like the eyes, leg, nose or hear, Negative life events like failing an examination, losing a job, losing someone close. Fear of failure and rejection. Inability to identify oneself and discover ones purpose in life. Always listening to what others say. Setting plans, vision and goals that are not realistic. Focusing more on your weakness than your strengths. Appearance such as body smells and dress sense. Always wanting to be perfect. Ignorance. Lack of relevant knowledge is a source of ignorance. Body shape such as Obesity or too lean. Moving with the wrong set of people. The vision killers and confidence busters. Inability to move on from the past. Financial constraint. Upbringing of the child by both the parent and the teacher. Training given to children by those taking care of them goes a long way to building their confidence. Some instill fear into them, while some encourage boldness.

This is just the beginning; The article would be continued in the next edition of SEA PUBLICATIONS. Ensure you don’t miss it.

THIS ARTICLE WAS MADE AVAILABLE FROM SEA PUBLICATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST.

written by ADENIKE TEMITOPE OWOLABI