I once read the following quote in a magazine, and it really hit home with me:

“In all things, apply moderation – including moderation” – Anon

There is, in some societies, this issue of “humility” and how important it is for a person not to appear “proud” or “arrogant”. I believe it is sometimes taken too far. Indeed, my personal experiences convince me that in the real world, one needs to be considerably bold and fearless in pursuing a valued life goal or purpose.

Yes, it is not bad to be humble and unassuming, BUT it is very bad to overdo it!

In this article I explain why it is important for anyone who desires to routinely and repeatedly achieve challenging goals, to demonstrate an unshakeable belief in her ability to do so, evidenced by a readiness to speak/act assertively about it wherever and whenever necessary.

Let’s take Muhammad Ali for example.

As a young boxer, Ali often boldly voiced the affirmation:“I am the greatest!” wherever and whenever he fought. He was perpetually “talking himself up”, employing various adjectives designed to emphasise his superiority over the opponent.

What I found most impressive was the way he repeatedly predicted what he was going to do.

For instance, prior to the fight in which he won the World title for the first time, the press (who dubbed him “The Louisville Lip” for his mouthiness) widely publicised his prediction which was made in the following exact words:

“Yes I predict, and I know the score. I’ll be Champ of the world in ’64!”.

Mohammed Ali knew himself well and knew what he was capable of achieving.

I once had the good fortune to re-watch – on TV – the fight Ali had with Joe Frazier, which he (Ali) lost.

During the press conference after the fight, Frazier read out a speech in which he mentioned how Ali repeatedly said (grunting between words as Frazier’s punches hit him) “Don’t – you – know – I – am – God?”!!

Frazier said he responded with something along the lines of “Well, ‘God’, looks like you’re gonna get whupped tonight!”, to which everyone laughed.

Yes, it wasn’t quite Mohammed’s day that day, BUT can you imagine how someone could believe that much in himself to the point of comparing himself with God?

I believe Napoleon Hill, asked to comment, would have said Ali had the essential mental attitude of “blind faith”.

Phrases like “Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” were credited to this legendary boxer.

One thing was clear – Ali was NOT shy. But neither was he arrogant. Cocksure probably, but not arrogant. AND he was definitely very far from being “over-humble”.

“The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt” – Bertrand Russel

Ali knew how important it was to be bold and assertive, and all through his boxing career he was like that. That he became the legend he is today, is no doubt a testimony to the fact that “one becomes what s/he thinks”.

Know this: You will not get yourself any closer to achieving your magnificent obsession(your valued goal) if you do not boldly and assertively speak about it.

It is not wrong to talk or speak affirmatively about what you intend to achieve. I have been doing it for years. And in the past 10 years of my life as an entrepreneur, I have successfully used this strategy to put myself to recorder newer and better levels of achievement.

ONE EXAMPLE: Late last year, I launched my unique range of pineapple peel based drinks and cake.

Then I began talking openly about renting a larger place here in Cotonou, and starting a restaurant business based on those products, with my family.

I have NOT stopped talking about it, and I AM recording MEASURABLE progress towards that goal.

For instance, about 40 days ago, after a long search, I finally found and paid for a place I like.

While I was still searching, I had already taught my kids – as early as September 2013 – to make and sell the products back in Lagos. And they had really taken to it!

Click here to see how I’ve ALREADY built this concept into a branded offering on my website.

I returned – today – from a one month stay in Lagos with them, and we carried out all sorts of Personal Achievement projects that I’d planned as part of a new coaching program I’ve conceived.

One of them was a Selling Skills Development exericise that required them to go out and find buyers for cakes they baked. This is to prepare them to be active players in the family business. Work continues still!

So you see, the key to succeeding with this strategy is to SAY it, with faith, and then TAKE DILIGENT PERSONAL action to make it happen.

Maybe you might want to watch the kind of audience you have before you say some of it, but please do talk about it!

That way you enlist others to help you stay focused on pursuing it.

This is because by talking about it to others(who have empathy for your purpose), you put yourself under psychological pressure to achieve that which you’ve told them you intend to achieve.

What then happens subsequently is that they will naturally ask you how far you’ve gone with your plans.

You would of course want to be able to give them a positive progress update, or else risk losing “face”, and not being taken seriously in future. That need to avoid appearing “unserious” would force you to remain committed to achieving your goals, sustaining you till you eventually succeed.

“Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit.” — W. Somerset Maugham

So, if you want to achieve notable success on a consistent basis, seriously consider being moderate in your humility. Your success might just depend on it.

NB: This article is based first published online in April 2006 via Tayo Solagbade’s former 9 year old domain – www.spontaneousdevelopment.com – and later submitted to, and eventually published for syndication at Ezinearticles.com