What Is Confidence?
When we think of confidence, we tend to think about some of the external things that show confidence such as how we walk when we’re out and about, how we behave in groups of people, and how we look when we dress. But these aren’t necessarily true tells of someone’s confidence.
Real confidence is about overcoming the obstacles that are holding us back. How do we move beyond fear? How do we overcome self doubt? How do we respond to negative self talk? Confidence is so much more than how we appear to others.
You know that nagging voice in your head, right? The one that tells you that you’re not good enough or that you never follow through on your commitments or you’re not funny or witty enough? That one. I’ve named mine Lorraine. (Sorry if there are any Lorraines reading this!) She can really get under my skin and make me feel like I’m not good enough. Not everyone has a really negative inner voice, but for those of you who do, I’m sure your inner voice tells you a lot of negative things. What if you could develop the skills–a confidence toolkit of sorts–that could help you identify the negative ideas and move beyond them? If you want the answer to this question, read on, my sweet friend.
Understanding the Aspects Confidence
We’ve all experienced fear of moving forward for some reason or another. It’s such a shame that many of us feel this way because it keeps us from fulfilling our goals and dreams. In some instances, it may even keep us from finding a significant other. It may keep us from leaving a job that makes us miserable. It may keep us from feeling successful even when we know we’ve worked really hard.
What if I told you that you can move beyond the fear? What if I told you those dreams you have can become a reality? It truly is possible, my friend, but you have to get to know your enemy (who just happens to live inside your head). Let’s meet the 8 aspects of confidence:
- Mindset – the belief that you have the ability to change and grow
- Self Doubt – overcoming the resistance to taking desired actions
- Action – getting started and overcoming apathy
- Competence – acquiring knowledge and developing skills
- Social – releasing the need for approval and improving social skills
- Fear – reframing fear of change, failure, and risk
- Self-Talk – overcoming limiting beliefs and negative self-talk
- Expression – developing communication skills and expanding your comfort zone.
A negative thought in any one of the these aspects can sneak up and cause you to doubt your abilities, your worth, and your intelligence. In the Anatomy of Confidence Series, I’m going to discuss each of these aspects of confidence, identify how each of these might appear in your life, and give you two tools to add to your Confidence Toolkit. Feel free to skip to the areas that pertain to you at this season in your life and come back whenever you feel you need a refresher.
Check out the next post in the series Anatomy of Confidence: Mindset.
Bye for now, my sweet friend.
đź’•Laura
