Boost Your Confidence
May 10, 2021
“Confidence does not come from dreaming. It comes from doing.“ Jerry Jenkins (author of the Left Behind series).
Do you ever have problems with confidence — whether in your job, relationships, or appearance?
I've struggled these past two months with a lack of confidence, especially in my writing. I think a lot of this comes from not having the time to get my butt in the chair and write. As I trudge through the sequel to Chasing the Darkness, negative thoughts creep into my brain and practically paralyze me from writing. I've gone weeks without creating a scene or writing dialogue, even though my mind keeps dreaming up ideas and plot lines. But as Jerry Jenkins says above, confidence comes from doing.
I found this article from Writer's Edit by Natalie Ong Lih Tyng, about ways writers can bolster their confidence. I've tweaked this list to apply to every day life. Click here to read the full article.
Four steps to boost your confidence
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein
- Be teachable: Sometimes we get stuck or in a rut because we've closed off our minds. I think there's always more to learn or ways to improve. Embracing this, instead of resisting, can boost your confidence as you continue to grow.
- Celebrate the small victories: Any runners out there? I'm not one, but the rare days I try, I don't think about the end of the run, but getting to the next mailbox 😉. As Natalie says, "success is essentially made of milestones." Which leads to the next tip...
- Give yourself a break: We all make mistakes, not a single one of us is perfect. Plus, it's healthy to step away from the pressure and reevaluate. What does that look like for you? For me, it was a good cry, reading a light-hearted book, and soaking in the sun. A glass of wine with a friend helps too 😉.
- Find someone you can trust: Natalie says, "Confidence is a contagious spirit, but so is doubt. It’s crucial that you assess the type of environment you allow yourself to be in." Find those people who build you up and encourage you. But don't forget to reciprocate. We all need help from time to time.
I hope this list helps boost your confidence. Of the four tips above, which one is most relevant to you right now? Contact me and let me know. And if you know someone who can benefit from this, please feel free to share it with them.
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
