Confidence can lead to a fruitful, intention-filled life when we are honest about ourselves
Confidence can lead to a fruitful, intention-filled life when we are honest about ourselves
1. Increase confidence, take action.
This one, I can say personally, works. When I am at an unbearable mental pause, I cook, bake, or, clean the house. Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, authors of The Confidence Code, emphasize the relationship between action and confidence:
The simplicity is compelling, and the notion that confidence and action are interrelated suggests a virtuous circle. Confidence is a belief in one’s ability to succeed, a belief that stimulates action. In turn, taking action bolsters one’s belief in one’s ability to succeed. So confidence accumulates—through hard work, through success, and even through failure.
2. Be authentic.
This counsel comes from Nelson Wang, founder of ceolifestyle.io, on Quora. Wang answered a few questions for Quora about a few things he’s learned since he’s gotten older. This came in at a meager eight, but for me it’s worth second place. I am reminded to speak up, ask for what I want, and stay humble in the face of rejection. For ten more points from Wang, check out the article here.
3. Recognize your strengths
According to success.com, a passionate life combines personal and professional strength. This grueling task requires one to have tried, failed, and have been well acquainted with your weaknesses. Which is to say, acquainted as if failure walked up to one in broad daylight, in a town where one was well known, and while shamelessly massacring you, nobody stopped. Failure makes everything obvious. Perhaps, during that ordeal ones yells “help, i’m being attacked.” One may find, they are good at sharing information during a crisis. Strength identified. WIN.
4. Avoid Gossip
Avoid gossip, or, you risk being robbed of genuine interactions with others. Gossip an arguable social adhesive, and celebrated by Elite Daily Journalist, GiGi Engle. Her article, The Psychology of Gossip: Why Talking Shit Makes You Happy outlines several ways gossip fosters social networks. Fine. Arguable adhesive, but, rife with corruption and naturally divisive. I’m not concerned with your offhanded comment that “so, and so, is pregnant. Please sign this card for the Baby Shower” But, I am near harassed when you, “so and so is 5 months pregnant, 2 months married, and if that baby ever looks in a piece of glass it’s going to know somebody lied about they daddy. You got $3, so I can get her a card. I would get it myself, but I just gave her $3. Shame.” Know this Guyanese proverb, a “dog who brings a bone, takes a bone.”
Gossip will always be happening, but when you do it, others will notice and be on their guard. Plus, nobody is perfect, and, didn’t I hear that someone you knew was attacked by (systemic) failure and you did nothing? ¯_(?)_/¯ I guess you can’t really point fingers. #pointfingers #blacklivesmatter
5. Be sound in your environment
Find out which places, times, and literal environments work for you. Last week, my husband and I worked from the redwoods, surrounded by what felt like a shrine of trees. Consequently, I finished 75% of a storyboard for a short story that’s been getting put on the back burner. Your “sound environment” may not be the redwoods, but there is a corner somewhere in the world with your name on it, probably several, probably literally. For tips on travel as a tool for work-life balance, check out my article here. So, go out wherever you feel you belong, and thrive.