Go for the Bold: Cultivate Confidence

Jump-Start Your Career

Live the dream. Take one small step toward making your organic bakery/swimwear line/graphic design firm real. Design a logo on your computer and hang it over your desk, or find out how much that little storefront you've been eyeing would cost to rent. Research shows that the more vividly we visualize a goal becoming a reality, the more likely we are to achieve it, says Ursiny.

Make a gutsy call. Dig out your sister's roommate's cousin's phone number (the one who has the amazing job you've always coveted) and offer to take her out to lunch. Come prepared with questions and talking points so she knows you're serious; you may get some invaluable advice.

Work the room. Attend your next networking event solo and stay until you've collected three people's business cards. Three bonus points: E-mail a friendly follow-up within a week suggesting you meet for coffee to continue your conversation.

Take the stage. Stop obsessing over American Idol already and go to a karaoke bar. After warbling "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (sober) to a roomful of heckling strangers, speaking up at the staff meeting will be a piece of cake.

Originally published in Fitness Magazine, September 2006.