You may have probably been in a meeting where solution was being sought to an issue and you had a contribution to make but didn't do so because you thought your idea was likely to be mocked by your fellows or that you were not qualified enough to speak or that you did not have the ability of an orator; consider also a line of business, trade or profession you probably wanted to delve into, but were afraid that you would not fare well in it or that people would wag their tongues negatively; you marvel when you see people speak in public places before hundreds or thousands or even millions of people and you

imagine to yourself that you would never be able to do that because of the regular phrase: 'stage fright.'

Bear in mind that there is a very high possibility that the idea which you failed to mention in that meeting would have brought about the needed breakthrough and that business which you failed to try out would probably have been the best occupation for you.

Confidence is generally described as a state of being certain either that an idea or prediction is correct or that a chosen course of action is the best or most effective. Self-confidence is having confidence in oneself. Confidence can be a self-fulfilling prophecy as those without it may fail or not try because they lack it and those with it may succeed because they have it rather than because of an innate ability (Wikipedia).

Just like a seed planted on soil, confidence is like a seed which we should plant in our minds and hearts and which requires our utmost attention in enabling it grow. Below are three ways by which you and I can grow this seed (Thanks to Huffington Post):

1. Affirm that you are not alone: What that means, is that we often abandon ourselves, and that creates a feeling of tremendous insecurity. You are the one who has got to have your back and heart. There are three factors to knowing you are not alone: you reach within and you grab hold of your core self; you reach outward and you ask for help; and you reach to others and offer help.

2. Move into radical self-acceptance: Start appreciating every little thing about you, reinforce the positive, and refrain from focusing on lack. When you are feeling insecure, tell yourself, "I can't afford the luxury of indulging in my own insecurities." I often play the Bruno Mars song "Just the Way You Are," which energizes me (and I wonder if Bruno wrote it for me).

3. Don't wait to be perfect before you take action: You are always going to be a work in progress. Don't wait for perfect circumstances. We put conditions on our happiness and well-being that distract us from being open to the opportunities that are in front of us.

There are lots of things we can accomplish simply by believing in ourselves and in our abilities. Remember that Ability has NOTHING to do with the colour of your skin, your height, weight, facial and bodily appearance or any other physiological or biological make-up. Nowadays, it is even becoming glaring that it has little or nothing to do with your grades in school and even with a physical impairment, you have the ability to accomplish A LOT only if you plant, grow and harvest confidence.
Some of us have remained impoverished because we have failed to develop the confidence needed to transform our ideas into money-making machines, some of us have missed opportunities because we failed to speak when it mattered. Remember, if you do not try, you will never know; if you do not make an effort or take a step forward, you will never know what lies ahead; if you do not expose that idea, you will never know if it would be valuable or not.
Confidence or a lack of it is a product of the mind, therefore, turn your negative thinking into positive action; when you encounter failure or disapproval, pick up your confidence, make your corrections and keep walking; whenever you think you are not qualified or adequate for anything, try listening to the song 'perfect' by Pink and remember the Obama slogan: ''Yes we can''; or try personalizing it: ''Yes I can''.