Whether You Think You Can or You Can't - You're Right.

How important is your self-confidence and will power? Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right.

The title of the page you are now reading is based on a quote by Henry Ford. You may have heard it before: "Whether you think you can or you think you can't - you're right.

This quote can be very empowering, especially if you find yourself clinging to doubt.

What comes to your mind when you read the above quote? What thoughts and feelings does it provoke? When a lot of people read the above quote, they think about self-confidence - a person's confidence in their ability. They also think about willpower and the idea that things will or will not happen based on your attitude.

The thought that you can control the results you get...just by harnessing your conviction...is a pretty mind-blowing thought.

Yes, one of the primary ways of getting what you want out of life, is firstly to start believing that you can achieve what you set your mind to. That is where we all have to start. Without that firm belief, there is no action, there is no growth, there is no fulfilment. Some people consider this perspective to be overly simplistic. 'How can just wanting something bad enough mean that you end up with it?'

Well let us consider that statement. Yes, simply 'wanting something bad enough' will not guarantee you getting it. There are lots of dreamers out there who never find the results they are looking for. But what we must not miss is the fact that unless you truly believe you can be successful you won't be. You need a firm belief system to propel you.

This is because if you do not honestly believe that you can and will succeed, you will give up at the first obstacle. Moreover, when a person perceives themselves as hopeless, they lose motivation. They don't try hard because we do not think their efforts will get them anywhere.

Self confidence fuels performance. When you say 'hey, I could actually see myself becoming ___ or being successful at ___, they you start to act differently. Things change. You open up a world of possibilities just by 'opening your mind'.

Research proves the power of self-confidence and how far 'thinking you can' takes you. Let us look an example. Recently, a psychology study from Ohio State University found evidence that an individual's career path is influenced by their own levels of self-confidence. The study examined a concept called 'upward self-revision' of our 'possible selves'. If you can picture a future version of yourself succeeding at a goal - say becoming a doctor or a lawyer - you are more likely to achieve it. Take a look at the study here.

What does all this mean for us? If your thinking really does have a huge influence on your life, what steps can you take to ensure the best outcome?

Harness The Power of Confident Thoughts

Notice the interesting catch with the quote "Whether you think you can or you think you can't you're right." Whatever side you end up taking, you are right. After all, who could ever argue with your deeply-rooted beliefs and convince you otherwise, until you decide to change your thought pattern?

Now I don't know about you, but I would rather be right about my success than be right about my failure. So the question occurs, what thoughts and beliefs will you feed and nurture? Create the framework for success. The truth is that if you want to achieve a goal really badly, you must never, ever doubt that you make it happen.

Your self-confidence will keep the goal alive. And if you want to increase your self-confidence about a particular goal, you've got to keep visualising it. Instead of spending time thinking about why you are not good enough or smart enough, visualise yourself in the moment of accomplishment. Build on that vision day by day and work along with it. Work hard, visualise some more and very soon you will see yourself getting what you believed you could, slowly but surely

because:

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't - you're right."