Where Did You Get Your Confidence?

I find myself wondering if I ever had confidence.  Maybe when I was a baby?  I honestly don’t remember ever feeling great about myself or that I was capable of doing what my mind so desperately wanted to do. 

That makes grown up me extremely sad.

What Would You Say to Your Younger Self?

I’d love to sit down with little Marla and have a heart to heart with her.  I realize that my young, underdeveloped brain probably wouldn’t be able to grasp all that I want to tell her,  but I’d sure like to try.  I know I’d start with a big hug and let her know that she is valued, important, loved and most important…SEEN! 

“I see you!” I’d say. 

“I know the intents of your heart and you are amazing!”

What would you say to your Mini Me?

There is Hope for Building Confidence

I’ve been learning a lot about building confidence in the last year and I think there is hope for me yet.  In fact, I KNOW there is hope for all of us.

It Has More to Do With Me Than With ANYONE Else

I’m excited to report that I’ve learned that the #1 needle mover for feeling more confidence is making and keeping commitments to yourself.  I can’t believe the difference this has made in the confidence I feel.  I had no idea that doing this would make such a difference. 

Where Do You Put Yourself on Your Priorities List?

The truth is, I had no idea how much I let myself down.  I was the first person I’d let down when it came down to it.  How did I change that?  One promise at a time.  I started making one promise to myself. 

It Starts One Promise At A Time

I started simple. 

How much water was I going to drink before letting myself have a soda?  Then, I stuck to that.  I promised myself that I wouldn’t have a soda, oh my beloved soda, until I drank 4 cups of water.  That was pretty easy for me to stick to. 

Next, I promised myself that I would drink a total of 10 cups of water every day.  I added lime and coconut to my water to make it taste better and I prepared it the night before.  Simple. 

Am I at 100%? No, but I’m close.  I am proud of myself for doing it…See that…PROUD OF MYSELF.  It didn’t come with what anyone else said to me.  That’s where true confidence comes from my friend. 

Move On From There

So, now that I’m doing good on that one, I’ve started adding more, one at a time.  Each a confidence booster in its own way.  This has been HUGE for me and I know it can be for you too. 

What’s going to be your first promise you make and keep to yourself?

It Only Takes 5 Seconds to Start

Have you heard of the “5 Second Rule” by Mel Robbins?

She did a Ted Talk a few years ago on this, you should look it up.  This is a great method to get yourself going on this kind of stuff.  She teaches a lot of other great and motivating ideas in that talk as well (maybe not with the language I’d use, but she’s pretty effective).

Like, if you can make the promises to yourself and your trouble is actually DOING it… Try the 5 second rule. 

What Is The 5 Second Rule?

In a nutshell, you have the thought of what you want to do, and before you talk yourself out of it, count down 5-4-3-2-1 and get up and go do it.  This is an amazing and simple trick to get moving. 

How simple is it?  It’s so simple that we can even talk ourselves out of doing it.  “How could it possibly help?”  you ask?   Oh friend, it does!  Try it.

“What I discovered is powerful: pushing yourself to take simple actions creates a chain reaction in your confidence and your productivity.” 

—Mel Robbins

Confidence Leads to Productivity

I knew it!  There is a connection between confidence and productivity!!

When I make AND KEEP promises to myself, I become more productive.  I think we all want to be more productive.  I don’t think you’d be reading my blog if that wasn’t somewhat on your radar. 

I think we’ve been brought together for a purpose.  People need each other.  I know I need other people. 

When we talk about these things together, we uplift and inspire each other to try and to keep trying no matter how difficult it may be. 

Being more productive doesn’t have to mean that we’re always doing BIG things.  It just means we are moving the needle on the things that are most important in our lives. 

We can do this people.  I know we can.  I have confidence in myself and I have confidence in you.

Who’s with me?