Hot Topics     Home and Family    

Believe in yourself



Some great advice from Peter Shankman

Believe in yourself


So about three times a week, my daughter and I either walk or scooter to school. This morning we were walking, and as we usually do, we were singing together along the walk. (We used to dance-walk, but apparently my dancing has become too embarrassing for her, so now we just sing.)

Anyhow, we were singing songs from "The Greatest Showman," and when we finished the opening number "The Greatest Show," she asked me how P.T. Barnum knew it was the greatest show and how he could just come out and say that. "What if other people didn't think it was the greatest show," she asked.

I looked at her and simply said, "Well, he believed it was, and that's the story he told."

The point I was trying to make to her was this: If you believe you can, you can.

I remember my first Ironman Triathlon. I was on the bike, facing a horrible headwind, and in my mind, I was planning out what I'd say when I ran out of time and didn't finish the bike course before it ended. Of course, I wound up finishing the bike course with 2 hours to spare, and wasted all that time thinking when I should have just believed in myself and my pedaling.

More often than not, we fail because we didn't believe in ourselves and our ideas as much as we could have.

Have some faith in yourself today. I promise you, you're doing better than you think.

Have a great rest of your week - And hey - Today is the 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st century, and you're here, kicking ass. That's pretty epic!

Much love,

-Peter

PS: The "How to Be A Paid Public Speaker in 2021" course with myself and Scott Monty goes live next week, and includes a free contract template you can use right out of the box! That in itself is worth the price of the course! The pre-order discount is still active until next Monday. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY before the price goes up!

PPS: My Master the Media course, which teaches you how to get all the media and press you could ever want for yourself and your business, is still ultra-discounted - but will be going back to normal pricing in the next few weeks - So if you were holding off, get it today!

Peter Shankman is an entrepreneur, an author and a trainer living in New York City. He is a stay at home dad as well.



Other articles by Peter Shankman


  • Resolutions Fail. Rituals Succeed.

    Peter talks about succeeding in the new year

    Best selling author, Peter Shankman, thinks resolutions are the stupidest things in the world. They rarely succeed, because we're a society that values "instant wins," and you just don't get them from resolutions. read more »
  • What's your Decision Altitude?

    Don't miss out by being indecisive

    Skydivers have a bunch of interesting traditions. Specific fist-bumps before exiting the plane to keep us safe. Being hit by a pie after your 100th jump. But one of them is deadly serious. It's called "decision altitude." What is yours? read more »
  • Turn your weakness into a badge of honor

    Start thinking of them as gifts

    Stop thinking of your weaknesses as weaknesses. Start thinking of them as gifts. Because if you allow them to be, that's exactly what they are. read more »
  • Never Change to Match Your Surroundings

    Just be you

    Peter Shankman talks about driving home a lesson in being yourself with his daughter. read more »
  • Don't be afraid to fail

    Success often comes on the heels of failure

    Peter Shankman, the top keynote speaker in marketing, brand building, social media and customer service, talks about his failures and successes. read more »
  • Thoughts on a Fat Guy in Spandex...

    Treat yourself with a little kindness

    Peter Shankman completes a marathon and decides he should treat himself better. You should too. read more »
  • Without Trust, You've Got Nothing

    Peter Shankman talks about trusting a brand

    Billy Joel had it right. It truly is a matter of trust. If you can't trust a brand - a company - a person - nothing else they do will ever matter. Your job, above all else, is to make sure your company, your brand, heck, even you, are trusted by everyone with whom you interact. Because even just a little bit of mistrust can cause lasting damage. read more »
  • s-NO-w Day

    The world won't come to a halt if you spend the snow day with your kids

    Peter Shankman offers some great advice on what to do with that surprise snow day read more »
  • 22 Years Ago Today, I was Miserable. Best. Day. Ever.

    An entrepreneur’s adventure

    Peter Shankman tells the story of his start up company and gives a word-to-the-wise: If you don’t like where you are move on! read more »
  • 9 wonderful things you can do for yourself

    Birthdays become a valuable day to start something new

    We all have preconceived notions about who we are and what we are capable of. Peter Shankman, a dad and a public relations specialist, suggests nine wonderful things that we can do for ourselves to help celebrate who we are. read more »