Like it or not, as a bodybuilder, you're vulnerable. Now don't get all warm and fuzzy and start welling up with tears... We don't mean that kind of vulnerable! But the truth is, as a bodybuilder, you're likely to suffer from self-doubt, nagging bouts of self-defeatism and a host of other mind trips that can topple your ability to effectively compete on stage, let alone even advance in workouts.

The psychological barriers our mind creates and we allow interfere with our performance and ability to achieve the good things in life. But those barriers can also be positive ones. Before Dorian Yates presented the freakish, outlandish physique he did in the 90's, no one thought it was possible to get that muscular. But once he did, others followed. One, being Ronnie Coleman. Then Jay Cutler, and so on.

So how can big mass monsters--and you--prevent self-doubt from setting in? Well, confidence is hard to understand, because it's a personal feeling and expression of who we are and how we understand our place in the world. But developing confidence and keeping self doubt at bay is a multi-step approach, and includes:

~  Knowing your subject (such as knowing how to train and diet and being able to predict the likely outcome from that)

~  Controlling yourself physically, mentally and emotionally

~  Coping with stress, idle talks from others (such as competitors, critics, and adversaries)

~  Experience means that you have a past with activities that can rattle you. The more you do them, the less rattled you'll become. That, also, is an issue of time.

So how can you get focused to do all of these things, all the time?

Concentration is a big one. If you develop the ability to find a focus, and then maintain that focus, no matter what is happening around you, you'll be able to better ward off self-doubt. Plus, you'll be focused and that doesn't leave much room for wandering thoughts that derail. Part of that has to do with the ability to picture a good outcome. Being a visualizer of the positive is a key ingredient to making it happen. So in the process of concentrating, envisioning a good outcome beyond the present is also crucial to success.

The next most important element in avoiding the self-doubt trap?

Emotional and mental control under all circumstances is key. If you're constantly spouting off to hide your insecurities, or are stewing in your own juices, silently, off in a corner somewhere, busily telling yourself you're going to fail, you'll never experience the kind of success that you might otherwise experience. Either way, you're defeating yourself in ways that tear everything you've done to prepare apart. And sadly, maybe you have a really good physique. But seeing that in the mirror isn't always enough.

That's where confidence truly comes in.

And what is confidence if not preparedness, vision and the ability to remain cool under pressure and handle stress effectively with the thought that you did all you could. If you're prepared, you're relaxed, because you know that you did everything within your power to make it all happen. If it doesn't happen and you've done everything you can, then you truly must accept that you weren't the best in your class on that day. But remember, there was a LOT leading up to that 2nd place finish that you had control over, so don't beat yourself -- or someone else -- up because you didn't place well. You know what you did and did not do to prepare. The day of the show is too late to lament what you didn't do.

Tips:

Make a list of everything you have to do to succeed and figure out each day what you can do to make that happen.

Mediate or practice relaxation techniques that can rescue you from nerves that paralyze you and your performance.

Find someone, like a coach or manager to help you with your commitment, your positive attitude and give you honest good feedback.