Confidence – GIYC part 7

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark. ― Michelangelo Buonarroti

Confidence is a necessary quality for digesting the challenges of life. This post is meant to inspire you to develop greater confidence in your life so you can have the grit in your craw (GIYC) you’ll need when life gets hard. The other seven qualities of GIYC (as described by Robert Luckadoo*) are: diligence, tenacity, optimism, flexibility, discipline, resilience, and purpose.

What is confidence?

• Trust or faith in a person or thing
• A feeling of self-assurance
• The state or quality of being certain

Confidence is core to being our best at work, at home, at play, and wherever we connect with others. The quantity of our confidence effects our performance and how we feel about ourselves. “You cannot perform in a manner inconsistent with the way you see yourself.”

When Robert Luckadoo, as a rookie race-car driver, was attempting to qualify at a race run at the Daytona Speedway, he defined confidence as, “the feeling that a race-car driver has toward his car, his seat belts, his helmet, his tires and his crew that allows him to hold the accelerator to the floor all the way through a turn at Daytona International Speedway” (Robert Luckaddo*).

Confidence shakers

There are several factors that potentially shake our confidence.

• Nay sayers – those negative people who give unhelpful criticism, put downs, or call into question our ideas and potential.
• A poor self-concept – an overwhelming sense of inadequacy and inferiority.
• Inner criticism – the head noise the speaks judgment, doubt, and says words like, “you are going to fail.”
• Anxiety and fear – worrying about how things will turn out or what people are thinking or fear of an uncertain future.

Five Strategies to Boost Confidence

1. “Be” before you “do”

Having a healthy identity is foundational to self-confidence. One place I have found that is in from the unconditional love I experience from God. If we feel values and significant before we “do” anything, confidence has room to grow.

2. Keep the BIG view in mind

Short sightedness stymies confidence but seeing life from 10,000 feet, gives the longer view and the ability to see how things are not always as they appear right at this moment.

3. Build friendships with confident people

Having people who inspire you to grow and risk builds confidence. If you have only Lucy’s in your life, it’s time to widen your circle of friends. Poor Charlie Brown’s confidence was eroded by words like these from Lucy, “You, Charlie Brown, are a foul ball in the line drive of life! You are a three putt on the 18th green! You are a missed free throw. Do you understand?”

4. Focus on building your strengths

Confidence comes not by trying to master ever skill imaginable but by getting better and skilled at your strengths. “Confidence does not come from telling yourself you are great.　It comes from building skills and gaining experience living them.　Try, fail & learn” (Henry Cloud).

5. Avoid the comparison game

Stop measuring your abilities and accomplishments by how well others are doing. Be the best “me” you can be. You have something to offer that no one else can bring to the table. Show up with that gift, develop your skill, and confidence will grow.

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 low confidence and 10 high, where are you?
What’s one strategy you can act on to increase your confidence?

*Grit in Your Craw: the 8 Strengths You Need to Succeed in Business and Life, by Robert Luckadoo

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