“The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.” — Bertrand Russell

By Dawn Onley

It never ceases to amaze me how many intelligent, talented, generally likeable people there are in this vast world who question their abilities and devalue their worth.

They put themselves down, sell themselves short while bragging about their kids, their spouse, their family and friends, literally everyone else, including the dog. When the conversation shifts to them, they become uneasy, downplaying their accomplishments, never taking credit for their brilliance, hiding their light under a bushel.

Meanwhile, a less bright, more confident person has no problem at all taking credit for the idea that he likely got from you at the water cooler at work. This cocksure person has no issue with advocating a higher salary or position for himself, while you meekly accept whatever is given to you.

This is unfortunate, sad and incredulous, and yet a fact of life for some.

People with oversized talent and little confidence accept less than they deserve. I’ve often wondered how it could be possible that they are unsure of their brilliance — whether it was something they learned as a child or if they picked it up as an adult, possibly after failing at something.

My biggest wish for these doubting souls is the internalization of beliefs that others have in them. I wish them a healthy boost of self-esteem and confidence. I wish them the boundless possibilities that are waiting for them, once they believe.

I realize now that intelligence and talent are not enough — nothing is actually — if a person doesn’t believe in his or her own abilities. Talent, confidence, determination, drive – these combined attributes are what it takes to reach new heights.

Iyanla Vanzant, the TV personality, speaker, author and life coach, says what we believe about ourselves is reflected back in what we attract to ourselves. “We cannot outperform our level of self-esteem. We cannot draw to ourselves more than we think we are worth.”

Whatever it is you want to achieve, believe in your power to do so — and then watch as you make it so.

Go get your bliss. Trust yourself. Believe in your abilities. Stop running away from your greatness!