Confidence Part 2

Inside Out 

Encouraging you to Feel Better, Shine Brighter, and Live Bigger from the Inside Out.


A Word  

con·fi·dence

/ˈkänfəd(ə)ns/


noun

the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something: firm trust.

the state of feeling certain about the truth of something.

a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.



A Thought


I confess, the more I contemplate confidence the more I realize how complex this topic is. There are so many nuances and underpinnings connected to confidence. Originally, I said that in my earlier years, my outward accomplishments weren’t a reflection of inward confidence. Upon further reflection I realize that it’s not that black and white. I had a version of confidence based on who I was at the time, how I saw the world, and what I deemed as important at the time. I want to acknowledge that I was doing the best I could with what I knew then.  Reflecting, decades later, there is a temptation to judge the younger me. To look at the choices I made through the lens of what I know now. That’s unfair. As Oprah once said, “when you know better, you do better”.  I encourage you to offer compassion to the earlier versions of yourself as well.


However, I do see things differently now than I did 20, 10, even 1 year ago. I’ve become more aware of my values, my strengths, and my weaknesses. I’ve grown in my confidence and in my convictions. I’m wiser and have more knowledge about myself, others, and the world. I’ve learned new skills to navigate both the external world and my inner world. This is what the coaching relationship enables. The opportunity to grow wiser and to develop a greater understanding of who you are, what matters most now, and how to move forward with clarity, confidence, and courage.


I’d like to share a practical framework that you can apply immediately to move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and courage. Confidence is like a muscle you can grow and develop. All it takes is a willingness to grow! 🌱



An Invitation


Set a timer for 10 minutes and swiftly answer each of the questions below. If you’re going to do it, just do it! Without overthinking or second guessing. From start to finish in about 10 minutes max.

Choose: Pick an area of your life or work where you would like to be more confident. What is the positive change you would like to create? 


Connect: Why is this important to you? Connect to your values, hopes, wishes, and dreams.


Consider

Strengths: What strengths (past & present) can you leverage?

  • When have you felt confident in the past?

  • What lessons and wisdom can you bring to growing confidence in this area?

  • What key relationships & opportunities are worth appreciating/considering? 

Possibility: 

  • If everything went as well as possible, what might success look like, sound like, and feel like for you? What do you most want to be celebrating one day in the future?

Direction: 

  • What 2-3 actions or priorities would move you towards the future you’d like to be celebrating?

  • What obstacles can you overcome, by preparing yourself, and/or your environment?

Commit:

  • What are the next steps you most want to take?

  • What might be a big, bold, and brave first step?

  • What could be the smallest, easiest, most immediate action step?

  • Take that one small step now.

March 2024Jennifer Grote