T'ai Chi as a Way to Confidence

When you believe you can do what you want or need to do, confidence comes.  Moreover, when you know, from experience, that you can do it well, you reinforce your confidence.

We may have been schooled to dream big, aim high, and set BHAGs (big hairy audacious goals).  That's fine.  That's up to you.

But just as teams cannot win any game with one effort or one play, we cannot climb to the top of the tree with just one step.

So focus on taking a good small step at a time.  A good step is a reasonable, readily doable one, in line with what you may be aiming for.  In line with your purpose for T'ai Chi.  

The key is to take these small steps on a regular, even daily basis.  This may seem difficult, and for sure it takes time, discipline and patience.  But if you have set out to take a reasonable step, then such a step should be sustainable over time.  

Confidence is forged in these ordinary steps.  Not everything goes well all the time, of course.  We may have to settle for a lower hanging fruit, instead of a higher one.  That's fine.

A Harvard Business School professor found that staff members become confident and motivated to perform, when their manager helps them gain small successes along the way.