How much more could you achieve if you did everything with a bit more confidence? Also: would you be more successful? Attractive? Happy? What all could you pull off if simply doing so with the right attitude?
I see people who pull stuff off that they shouldn’t be able to – and I have to wonder if it’s that “X” factor aka confidence.
It’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about. More than that, something I’ve been working on for myself. You see, I think confidence is a SKILL. One that must be exercised and practiced.
Stay tuned for the confidence files. New blog series I’ve had in my mind for a while and that is going to start appearing here about once a week or so. Not just me saying “look at me, I’m so confident” but rather me saying “Hey, I feel totally UNconfident about ___, and I’m confronting it. Here’s what happened…”
If I fall flat on my face, cry, am humiliated, am victorious, learn a new trick… whatever. You’ll hear about the good and the bad.
Got suggestions? Questions? Ideas? I welcome them, as always friends. I am so lucky to have such good friends who are supportive (yes, YOU) and so often make my day with kind comments and emails.
I will be exploring confidence in everything from fashion to crafting and anything else I can think of. If I can dig up some good embarrassing circa early 1990’s photos I’ll expose those too. Oh yes, I’ll share LACK of confidence tales of my very embarrassing youth.
Laying it all out there… this is me kinda stuff… can I pull it off? With a bit of confidence, I think so… if not, I fail and go find something else to write about…
Can’t wait to see what you come up with – I totally lack in confidence so perhaps we can do this together.
I echo Christine C, totally lack confidence and avoid things that I would love to do for fear of ???? Looking forward to how you get on.
Can someone who gets a tatoo like that really lack confidence?
** Kate **
I agree that confidence is a learned skill. I’m working on it myself in my professional life. Success leads to success. I can’t wait to see what you have to share with us.
No hints or tricks as I lack confidence in most things. I am looking forward to your series.
I used to be the one in the back corner who would be “present” but not there in social situations, or school, or meetings all of the above.
I started working on my confidence to and decided about meeting new people that they would either like me or not, like my ideas or not.
I think it’s part of getting older too that you care less about what people think about you. Not that we don’t still want to make a good impression and make friends etc just that it bothers us less if we don’t succeed.
It took me years to finally say, “I don’t give a crap what people think about me”, but I’e gotten to the point that it’s true. I dress the way I want, I say what’s on my mind, and I find life so much better for it. Being honest to others and yourself makes life better IMHO. Of course you still do the little white lies. If a friend asks if they’re fat in a certain outfit you try and find some other way to say it doesn’t look good on them rather than be cruel and say, yeah you’re fat. White lies are more kindness, not lies. I look forward to reading your upcoming posts. Remember, if you don’t fall down once in a while, it means you’re not pushing yourself hard enough. 🙂
Another confidence lacker here. Definitely going to stay tuned! Thanks May!
Unreal! Blog. Amazing projects. BPS (and more) classes. Lacking confidence? If indeed you are, you have done an amazing job of overcoming it. Congrats! I’m ready to listen because I am totally lacking confidence in social situations minimally. And then there is . . . and. . .oh wait. . .
Ha! Oh yeah of course I can.
I too have skipped things out of fear or because I would rather not fail… that’s not good! I’ll keep everybody posted… and thanks for the great comment.
May
I’m looking forward to this. I lack confidence, often try too hard because of it, and trying too hard is a terrible thing. I don’t blog, because I can’t imagine I’d say anything people would want to read. Thanks May!!
Well, it shows confidence that you are willing to do this. I think this is a great idea and I can’t wait to see what you come up with. What is your biggest fear, personally, professionally, socially? These would be interesting areas to consider. Also, maybe have other people share their stories of confidence.
Fear of failure…biggest obstacle on earth. A door closes…ok, it’s disappointing…but another door will open. Kids have to deal with this issue a lot. We just have to move on. Try something else. Just don’t give up! We also make our goals too small. Let’s make them BIG! Mom use to say ‘Shoot for the Stars!’ She was correct…and actually I made my goals too small. I’ve met them. That’s good, yes. But now I need new ones…this is my current problem. Incredible, right?
One way that I have learned to combat my fear of leaping forward, is to reflect on my past. What experiences have I walked through that have built within myself a skill set to take on this new experience.
I am a firm believer that life shapes who we are to be. I totally agree with the comment above. Getting that tatoo has instilled a new kind of confidence in you. I am so excited to see the new possibilities that are out there now for you to experience, because of that grand looking art on your leg!
This is awesome! This is exactly the message I needed to hear today, so thank you. I love how you plan to approach this topic and can’t wait to follow along.
This is going top be good and your timing is impeccable!
DITTO DITTO and DITTO to all
DITTO DITTO and DITTO to all – me too !! Been there and still there…MOST of the time…I’m beginning to believe that confidence is really about using what you have & selling ‘it’ ie “selling ME”…the greatest challenge is when I’m trying to sell my “service’…I mean, peeps seem to be fine when its free but once I aske for $$$ the whole situation seems to ‘change’ somehow…so looking forward to this May – so THANK YOU xx
I’m really looking forward to this too. I agree that confidence can be learned … and hopefully you can teach me!!
me again…I’ve just found this wonderful quote on another friend’s blog I thought I’d share :
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.
Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” Helen Keller
is it ironic that this would appear on http://pearlmaple.blogspot.com
today?
enjoy xx
This sounds GREAT!
Love this, May. You are always so real and really put yourself out there. I love your audio messages for your classes, which are always so inspiring. This seems along those lines, because your audios are always about “no guilt” and “let go of perfection.” Can’t wait to build my confidence!
I’ll be watching! I’m not afraid to make fun of myself for the mistakes I make but Shawn gets so frustrated with me about the afraid-to-fail thing.