Here’s the most powerful confidence ‘trick’ of all. When you have to do something you really, really don’t want to do, fix a smile on your face, admit no fear and pretend you’re coping… and do it anyway. You might even fool yourself… and you’ll have proved you have the courage to face down your fears. The next time, it won’t be quite as scary. Promise!

Step Six…

Get Lucky!

Cathy

My best friend has a really nice house and a lovely family and plenty of money. She’s pretty and clever and popular and always happy… she’s so lucky, it’s not fair!

Rashida, age 11

Dear Cathy

I was bullied when I was younger and used to be very unhappy. With the help of a great teacher and some good friends, I have turned things around and now I feel lucky those things happened as they taught me so much. I think I see the same message in your books. We only have one life – we owe it to ourselves to make the most of it!

Cassie, age 14

Cassie’s letter says it all… you only have one life, so make the most of it! The way you choose to see things can make a huge difference to the life you have, but remember, it IS your choice!

Remember the jealousy monster we mentioned back in the Friendship chapter? Here it goes again… causing a whole bunch of trouble. Rashida sees herself as unlucky and her friend as lucky. Well, the mind is a powerful thing, and if you genuinely believe you are lucky you will attract good luck to yourself. When new things happen you’ll tend to see them as lucky too – it’s about having a positive attitude.

Imagine that Rashida and her ‘lucky’ friend find a purse containing fifty pounds, hand the purse in to the police station and later are given a reward of five pounds for their honesty. Rashida might see that as ‘unlucky’ – just five pounds? Not enough! Rashida’s friend would look on the bright side, happy to have five pounds she didn’t have before, and to have found the purse and returned it to its rightful owner.

Being lucky or unlucky – it’s all about attitude. It’s a choice you make. I’d rather be lucky… how about you?

As Cassie says, life is for living… so make every minute count!

• Always wanted to try a new hobby/interest? Sign up, today!
• Try a karate class – great for confidence boosting!
• Learn a new skill/language/musical instrument!
• Join a youth club/drama group and meet new people.
• Help out at the local retirement home/animal sanctuary.
• Make a list of things you’d like to do before the year is out – then start making it happen!
• Take regular exercise.
• Eat healthy foods!
• Do something that relaxes you, like yoga or meditation.
• Hang out with friends who make you feel good about yourself.
• Have fun, study hard, and do one random act of kindness every day!