Confidence - stripped bare

Confidence – that elusive quality many of us seek, often feels like a distant dream. We yearn for it, as we believe that with more confidence, we will finally take the bold steps needed to shape our desired lives. We despise the gnawing feeling of inadequacy that accompanies the absence of confidence. But what is confidence, truly?

What is confidence? 

Confidence, in its essence, is the belief that we can achieve the outcomes we desire.

It's the inner assurance that we possess the capability to tackle life's challenges head-on. 

If we dissect confidence itself, we learn that it is actually somewhat a memory-based experience. It arises from having done something before, granting us the knowledge of what to expect, or from similar past experiences that inform our expectations of future outcomes.

When we look to where we have no memory of success, two options present themselves. We can either take smaller steps, and succeeding at a singular step at a time, or we can harness the courage to plunge into the unknown.

The latter; building the courage to act in uncertainty; is where growth lies.

As you build the courage to let go of these clouds, you'll unveil the radiant confidence that has always been within you.

Here, the concept of 'self' comes to the forefront. The truth is, we covet confidence as the holy grail, but courage is most needed when we fear potential negative consequences to our 'sense of self' and doubt our ability to cope with this.

A direct path to genuine confidence sits in understanding your true self and the implications of this realisation. Real confidence is the unwavering knowledge that you will be okay, regardless of the outcome.

So, where can we find this knowledge?

Surprisingly, the answer lies not in psychology, but in physics.

Consider this: Even your thoughts are objects, albeit non-physical ones. Realising this leads you to understand that your true self is inherently confident, but the thoughts in your mind mask this truth. You mistakenly identify with your thoughts as if they define you.

When you disentangle yourself from this identification with your thoughts, your innate confidence shines through. Initially, you may still feel the echoes of past insecurities, but with time, these remnants fade away.

Courage lies in acknowledging that your feelings of a 'lack of confidence' are more like echoes of past beliefs. This newfound understanding empowers you to take action, regardless of the remnants of doubt.

I hope this has helped you learn that confidence is not an external quality to be acquired, but an internal realisation to be uncovered.

It's the understanding that you hold confidence at your core, and your thoughts are mere passing clouds obscuring this feeling from surfacing as the truth.

As you build the courage to let go of these clouds, you'll unveil the confidence that has always been within you, ready to guide you towards your aspirations.  

As one of my mentors once said to me, ‘100% of your courage today becomes 100% confidence tomorrow'.