“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right,” Henry Ford
Henry Ford enjoys the sad honor of being the only American citizen whose framed picture could be found sitting on Adolf Hitler´s desk. And historians say that Henry Ford himself had a framed picture of Adolf Hitler on his desk in Michigan. It makes sense when you dig a little bit and you learn about Ford's antisemitism and his love for eugenics. If you already knew this and you think that Henry Ford was an imbecile, you are not alone. Actually, in the summer of 1919, he was placed on the witness stand ready to be questioned by a defense attorney for the Chicago Tribune. It was an odd case to be in court, even by today’s standards. Ford was suing the Chicago Tribune for slander. Specifically, for being called ignorant. The defense was set out to prove that Henry Ford was stupid and they clearly succeeded, for Mr. Ford did not know how to answer lots and lots of simple questions about American history and general culture. The trial was big at the time and the crowds had the time of their lives reading Ford´s testimony outside of the courthouse here in Chicago.
As it turns out, yes, Henry was an antisemitic moron and ignorant. However and in fairness, I don´t think he was stupid. You can´t be really really stupid and do all the things he achieved. Ford was really really good at, at least, two things: a) surrounding himself with very very intelligent people who actually knew what they were doing and b) having incredible self-confidence. “Whether you think you can, or you think you can´t - you are right”.
I am sure you have experienced one of those days when you wake up in the morning just feeling good and looking good. You are witty, and in a good mood and you radiate some sort of positive energy that is perceived and enjoyed by the people around you. The same thing applies the other way around. Those days when you wake up with low self-esteem and you just can´t look that person on the other side of the mirror in the eye. Those days when you can´t seem to be able to say or do the right thing. If you´ve lived long enough, you have probably been there.
Let´s not be naive. Confidence will not take you everywhere. Just because you really really REALLY believe in yourself, it does not mean that you are going to play in the next Super Bowl, be the main character of a blockbuster movie, or write a new classic. But confidence helps.
There are several studies showing that there are two areas in life, where people tend to be overly confident. When you ask people about their driving skills compared to other drivers, most people consider themselves above or way above average. The same thing is true when you ask people how they compare themselves with the rest of the people working in their field. Most see themselves as above or way above average. Which obviously can´t be true all the time. Chances are you also think you drive better than the average driver and you are a better professional than most of your peers. I certainly see myself as better than most of the Spanish instructors out there. But how can you really know…
Confidence is like everything in life. You just need a little but not too much.
Too much confidence and you will start driving too fast and too recklessly thinking that there is no way you can ever lose control of your car. Too much confidence in your job, and you will show up unprepared and taking stupid decisions based on the wrong impression that you can´t ever be wrong.
Not enough confidence and you will always be scared of taking a right turn or merging into the highway, risking your life with your indecision. Too little confidence at work, and you will always be hiding in the shadows, unable to sell and help the customer or perform the most basic tasks. Let alone entering a building on fire or performing surgery.
If drivers and professionals tend to be a bit too confident, quite the opposite seems to be true when it comes to speaking a second language. In my experience, most students see themselves below their actual skill level and are full of doubts. Even those who are really advanced seem to have a hard time saying out loud: SÍ. HABLO ESPAÑOL.
´Will they understand me if I speak in Spanish? Will they laugh at me? Will I know what to say?´
I hear you. Speaking a second language is a humbling experience. But remember. You do not have to be perfect in order to be great. Nobody would be great otherwise. It might be your lack of confidence that is hurting your Spanish the most. Like that scared driver who can´t merge into the highway with cars moving at high speed. Be careful with what you think about your Spanish and your current level of skill, whatever it might be. Because there is a good chance that, whether you think you can or you think you can´t, you might end up being right.