How often do you compare yourself to the top achievers in your business and think that you could never do what they do? If you think you are not as capable as others in the business, then your self- image, (what you think of yourself ), needs to be raised. Your self-image determines your level of performance and success in anything you do. If you want to sell more, recruit more, and earn more, you must change the image you hold in your mind about your capabilities.

No doubt you’ve seen this scenario happen within your company. Three people join the business the same month. The first person has high self-esteem and immediately starts selling, recruiting others and building a business. The second person is shy, has a poor self-image and is afraid to approach anyone about their new venture. Within four months they have dropped out. The third person is somewhat hesitant and not sure of their abilities at the beginning. They push themselves out of their comfort zone however, and along the way their confidence increases, their self-image improves and as a result their business takes off.

In direct selling, you have a separate self-image for recruiting, for demonstrating and selling your product, for making appointments, for getting referrals, for making repeat sales, and for leading a team. If you really love demonstrating and selling your product, then you have a high self-image around this activity and enjoy parties and other selling events. Some people have a high self-image in this area but have a low self-image around recruiting or leading a team. Whenever you feel tense or uncomfortable in one area of your business, it means you have a low self-image in that area. You may find yourself making excuses about why you can’t do this activity or coming up with ways to avoid doing it.

So what can you do to boost your self-image in all areas of your business and as a result earn more money? Here are five simple steps to build your self-confidence:

1. Stop self-criticism. Remove from your vocabulary any negative thoughts or statements you say about yourself (I can’t _____; I’m not good at_____.).
2. Stop scaring yourself. We often imagine that something is much harder then it really is. (If others can do it, then it can’t be that hard!) Study the best in the business and learn from their actions. Take courses or read books to improve your skills. Here are three books I highly recommend: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway; The Aladdin Factor ; Secrets to Recruiting!
3. Visualize positive results. Picture yourself successfully performing all activities connected with your business and experience the feeling of that success.
4. Project confidence. Use your posture, (remember your mother saying to stand up straight), and your voice to exude confidence even when you don’t yet feel it. Think of the most self-assured person you know and act as they would.
5. Praise yourself. Make a list of your skills, talents, and previous successes (both personal and business). Acknowledge your accomplishments. Use the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome or the most significant accomplishment to-date as a reference point. It’s a perfect reminder that you can and have achieved greatness! Replace your old statements from Step One with new ones such as “I can ________” or I’m excellent at _______”.

Take charge of raising your self-image and see yourself becoming one of the highest earning salespeople in your company. You can do it!

(Note: If you want more self-image building tips around recruiting or leadership, be sure to look at our e-book Secrets to Recruiting! and our leadership e-course, Coaching to Success.)