There are two powerful techniques in building self-confidence: creating affirmative statements and building a ring of confidence. A medical student needs opportunities for self-growth and most self-growth efforts starts with building the self-confidence.

By the time you take your USMLE, you should have built enough self-confidence to pass the USMLE Steps. Undertaking USMLE review usually helps but for those who want to start early, here are the two techniques that will help you build that wavering self-confidence.

Look back at your past and think of, and write down all your successes – any achievements you feel proud of. There is no maximum but you should continue until you have at least 10.

Take the achievement of which you are most proud and answer the question, "What are all the skills and qualities you demonstrated to achieve this success?" Continue to ask the same question about your successes until you have at least 20 different skills or qualities. If one of your qualities is not persistence, then please persist. It is very, very motivational to spend as much time as it takes to drag out all these skills and qualities which you possess, however small you may think them.

Next develop three affirmative statements, each with three related qualities and skills. For instance:

1. I focus on patients, am a good listener and develop rapport easily.

2. I am hard working, well-organized and disciplined.

3. I am friendly, supportive and generous.

These are generic statements that are true for you. You should memorize them and use them whenever you feel the need. It is often quite helpful to start the day with them, putting you into a confident and positive frame of mind.

An important point is that different people have different ways of processing information. The three primary ways are auditory, visual and kinesthetic or feelings-based. While you can use all three, you often prefer one to another. You should use all three to have the greatest impact: memorize the list, create a picture of yourself behaving as indicated by each affirmative statement and generate positive attitudes and emotions.

Additionally, when you know you have a particular change to make or project to complete, you can develop affirmative statements that are specific to the requirements for success in the future. Look back to the pool of qualities and skills you have developed, choose those needed and write specific affirmative statements. Again picture success and create positive feelings associated with success. These same techniques will help you create a pathway of success and positive energy throughout your medical education, your USMLE review and the USMLE Steps.