This is a matter of great importance.
The timid man, by seriously resolving to perform the actions that he ought and by planning the accomplishment of some definite step, will unconsciously strengthen his own will-power.
He will increase it still more by making up his mind to leave no stone unturned to conquer himself.
For instance, he proposes to make a certain journey, or to pay a certain call, which he dreads very much, and falls asleep while repeating to himself: "To-morrow I will go there! I will carry the thing through with assurance!"
Conceding the magnetic power of words, the acquisition of courage and of confidence are necessary corollaries.
Ideas imprest upon the mind at the moment that one is falling asleep develop during the night by a species of incubation, and on the morrow present themselves to us quite naturally in the guise of a duty much less hard to perform than we had imagined.
In the case where such a resolution awakens an unpleasant emotion in the hearts of the timid, they should repeat earnestly the sentences that tend to composure and should seek the aid of the means we have indicated for attaining it.
PREPARATION
In order to strengthen one's resolution it is a good thing every morning to map out one's day, for the purpose of acquiring poise.