He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.
– Louisa May Alcott

I was going to start out by saying I love this quote, but I love all the quotes I put up.  I wouldn’t put them up, otherwise.  What I’m enjoying about this particular quote is my student’s reactions to it.  They don’t quite understand that the strongest, most powerful tool they have in their arsenal of life skills is belief in themselves!

When you believe in yourself, you can move mountains.  You may move them  one pebble at a time, but you can do it.  Without faith in yourself, you will not succeed at whatever it is you undertake.  It’s all part and parcel of the whole self-fulfilling prophacy thing.  If you believe you can, you can, if you believe you can’t, you can’t.  Your faith (or lack of) is very powerful.

Of course, human nature is a tricky little thing.  It’s almost like we’re conditioned to doubt ourselves, or not have faith in ourselves.  I think, though, that we can teach ourselves to have faith in ourselves, just like we can teach ourselves to think more positively.  You have to work at it, you have to keep trying.  For every doubtful thought you have about yourself and your abilities, turn around and think of two positive ones.  You can do it!  Believe in yourself because honestly, you’re pretty darn amazing!