In previous articles we focused on various important and necessary strategies for personal growth, such as taking risks, putting in effort, attention to detail, and being diligent. However the success of these strategies depends on another fundamental human attitude - confidence. Lack of confidence comes from a hidden insecurity, a belief that we are not strong or skilled enough to succeed.

People tend to give all kinds of excuses and rationalizations for inappropriate conduct or lack of character improvement. Chassidic sources categorize these excuses into four different types of attitudes:

a) Blaming G-d - "He made me this way so why should I change?"

b) Lack of Control - "I know its wrong but I simply cannot control myself."

c) Being Different - "I have special circumstances and am an exception to the rule."

d) False humility - "I am just a little person; my contribution won't make any difference to the big world."

But all excuses are driven by one failing - lack of confidence. Confidence means to believe that we can change, we can control ourselves, the rules of moral and responsible conduct do apply to us and we do make a huge difference.

True confidence can only be be developed by the awareness and appreciation of our soul. Although G-d did create us with challenges and shortcomings, He also invested into us a Divine spark. This spark is the soul. With its Divine energy the soul allows us to go beyond our natural dispositions and gives us the ability to control ourselves and make the necessary commitments for responsible and productive behavior. The soul is also the point of difference between us and the rest of creation. It provides a feeling of uniqueness and generates a sense of purpose. It allows us to appreciate that we are not just another statistic but rather beings with a mission who can make a huge impact and difference with every single thought, speech, and action we do.

Believing in the Divine energy of the soul allows is to believe in ourselves.

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