I’ve been thinking about confidence these last few days. Where does it come from and how do we get it? What makes one person full of confidence and another consumed by timidity?
I’m sure there are many answers to these questions. These are not the sort of questions that have one simple answer. That said, the ‘answer’ that I’ve found myself keeping coming back to has been that of self-awareness.
The more fully we know ourselves – our strengths, our weaknesses, our passions, our motivations – the more we find confidence permeating our beings. The more comfortable we are within our own skin – rather than trying to be like someone else – the more confidence we have.
So perhaps a question for those of us who are struggling with a lack of confidence is to ask ourselves whether we have taken enough time to know ourselves.
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I like the sound of this Sam and I’m trying to apply it to my current situation. My confidence is receiving a fair beating at present and I am trying to figure out whether this is about a learning something more about myself.
The issue is probably whether I’m learning about my strengths or weaknesses in this process. I suspect the self-awareness is a lifelong journey. Just when you think you know yourself a new experience comes along and new revelation becomes available. Lifelong learning!
I can’t say that this type of learning is the best fun I’ve had but I believe it will lead to great awareness and, as you say, greater confidence.
I like this post. Its an topic of conversation that comes up a lot in my small group. I am high school youth leader and the element of confidence is one that many of my guys struggle with. I find myself always going back to the question of how do you view yourself. If your view of yourself is poor, then your confidence will be poor. The journey of confidence is difference for everyone. Some have the ability to constantly be confident, where others always struggle. Its in our weakness though, that make us stronger, in part because when we struggle we always find ourselves look up to the heavens. And for some, thats how their confidence builds.
You’re right Rob about life-long learning! Every new challenge and experience reveals more about us. In fact, we often NEED those challenges and experiences in order to keep learning more about ourselves. And you’re right about it not always being fun, but looking back we are often glad we went through what we did. I’m actually already seeing that with this time of unemployment prior to getting this new job.