Let’s not kid ourselves: increasing our self-confidence in handling difficult situations does not then make us like or enjoy these situations. They can still be as challenging and fear-inducing as they were before. What has changed is your reaction to them – and your self-belief in being able to manage them.

No-one ever said it was going to be easy. Time and again you might have to face the challenge and perform to the best of your ability, despite preferring not to have to do it at all.

Make life a little easier for yourself by thinking ahead and considering how you are thinking and feeling about future events. Accept whatever emotions arise immediately. Then decide what outcome you want to have and make your plans to achieve them, full in the knowledge that there is much that is not in your control. All you can do is your best and you can always do your best in the here-and-now.

Photo by Glenn Mead of Face Value.