August 20, 2007 26 Comments

Confidence is Gold

Two Faces Should there be a single thing that separates someone getting by from someone doing amazing things, it’s confidence. Not arrogance, not foolishness or obliviousness. Simple confidence is a strength that builds a powerful base for all your other accomplishments. This past weekend, at PodCamp Pittsburgh 2, I was reminded again why confidence matters. I saw someone do something very brave, and introduce himself to a young woman he admired. It made me feel very proud of him, and it reminded me that confidence is most certainly gold.

I was going to write out some thoughts and tips on confidence, but it turns out I already have. So, here’s a collection of blog posts and a podcast, too:

And there you have it. A little collection to read and consider.

But what about you? Are you confident? What keeps that flow for you? How do you stay confident? What do you do when your confidence flounders a bit?

And if you’re enjoying this blog, please consider subscribing for free.

Related posts:

  1. Audio Podcast-Confidence
  2. Confidence
  3. You are the Authority

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  • JGlasson

    Confidence is worth its weight in gold in all types of situations and its something that I find myself constantly needing to work on.

  • JGlasson

    Confidence is worth its weight in gold in all types of situations and its something that I find myself constantly needing to work on.

  • http://LenEdgerly.com Len Edgerly

    I am seldom confident, actually. Except when I am making modest progress learning a skill that seems to be of use to the world. Like doing better videos for my podcast, figuring out how to do transitions that are smooth instead of choppy. When I look at them (over and over, sometimes), I feel a bit of confidence and satisfaction. I admire people who seem to have more confidence than I do, but I’m okay with the amount I have. It seems to be pretty constant, ever since I was in my teens–just enough confidence to try the next thing and plug away at it, worried much of the time that I’ll disappoint myself and others, surprised and delighted from time to time when things turn out marvelous.

  • http://LenEdgerly.com Len Edgerly

    I am seldom confident, actually. Except when I am making modest progress learning a skill that seems to be of use to the world. Like doing better videos for my podcast, figuring out how to do transitions that are smooth instead of choppy. When I look at them (over and over, sometimes), I feel a bit of confidence and satisfaction. I admire people who seem to have more confidence than I do, but I’m okay with the amount I have. It seems to be pretty constant, ever since I was in my teens–just enough confidence to try the next thing and plug away at it, worried much of the time that I’ll disappoint myself and others, surprised and delighted from time to time when things turn out marvelous.

  • http://abiteofsanity.com Bryce Moore

    I continue to struggle with this, and I think it’s one of the things that holds me back. I just can’t get over that self-conscious speedbump in the road.

  • http://abiteofsanity.com Bryce Moore

    I continue to struggle with this, and I think it’s one of the things that holds me back. I just can’t get over that self-conscious speedbump in the road.

  • http://www.christopherspenn.com Christopher S. Penn

    I am confident. What single moment defined me more than anything was my first degree black belt test, which is hard to put into words, but was a test of fire. When you go through something like that, it gives you perspective, and everything else that seemed to be overwhelming is actually pretty trivial.

  • http://www.christopherspenn.com Christopher S. Penn

    I am confident. What single moment defined me more than anything was my first degree black belt test, which is hard to put into words, but was a test of fire. When you go through something like that, it gives you perspective, and everything else that seemed to be overwhelming is actually pretty trivial.

  • shannonkay

    I was a theatre major, so I can’t say that confidence is one of my weaknesses. I notice that many people don’t stand up straight. Personally, I think that if you stand up straight you feel better about yourself.

  • http://www.prettygeek.com Shannn

    I was a theatre major, so I can’t say that confidence is one of my weaknesses. I notice that many people don’t stand up straight. Personally, I think that if you stand up straight you feel better about yourself.

  • http://www.theconnectedworld.net David Jacobs

    Confidence is like magic, yet can be elusive. Even without all the skills or training you might need, with enough confidence you can make a way. And even with all the skills and training you need, a lack of confidence can shut you down. I think confidence has a lot to do with faith because it’s about knowing when you can’t really know.

  • http://www.theconnectedworld.net David Jacobs

    Confidence is like magic, yet can be elusive. Even without all the skills or training you might need, with enough confidence you can make a way. And even with all the skills and training you need, a lack of confidence can shut you down. I think confidence has a lot to do with faith because it’s about knowing when you can’t really know.

  • http://www.krishworld.com/blog/ Krish

    I am always confident now a days. I practiced it when I was in grad school doing Physics. I used to be nervous before my talks (especially when the faculty had Nobel Prize winners among them). Just to avoid messing up, I used to keep telling myself that I am smarter than even those Nobel Laureates. Though it sounds silly, it helped me through those talks. Once I did that, it gave me confidence to do anything without worrying much about anything else. Now I am into geekdom and entrepreneurship. The confidence I gained in grad school is helping me now. How do I stay confident? Well, now I have become a little bit arrogant and this helps me stay confident.

  • http://www.krishworld.com/blog/ Krish

    I am always confident now a days. I practiced it when I was in grad school doing Physics. I used to be nervous before my talks (especially when the faculty had Nobel Prize winners among them). Just to avoid messing up, I used to keep telling myself that I am smarter than even those Nobel Laureates. Though it sounds silly, it helped me through those talks. Once I did that, it gave me confidence to do anything without worrying much about anything else. Now I am into geekdom and entrepreneurship. The confidence I gained in grad school is helping me now. How do I stay confident? Well, now I have become a little bit arrogant and this helps me stay confident.

  • Philip Crow

    My confidence as been quite a ride. I’ve rarely had much confidence, always worried that I would turn into an egotistical jerk. But since I’m trying to be in an art field, I needed confidence in my lines and drawings. I’ve only developed some confidence because of that need, sometimes I still revert back to my worrisome self, but I’m working on it.

  • Philip Crow

    My confidence as been quite a ride. I’ve rarely had much confidence, always worried that I would turn into an egotistical jerk. But since I’m trying to be in an art field, I needed confidence in my lines and drawings. I’ve only developed some confidence because of that need, sometimes I still revert back to my worrisome self, but I’m working on it.

  • http://www.trainerdirect.com Jason White, CSCS

    There is but one form where confidence reveals its true nature: It is in the awareness that you must die. Once accepted this simple fundamental truth provides absolute freedom. Freedom is confidence.

  • http://www.trainerdirect.com Jason White, CSCS

    There is but one form where confidence reveals its true nature: It is in the awareness that you must die. Once accepted this simple fundamental truth provides absolute freedom. Freedom is confidence.

  • http://ideamatt.blogspot.com/ Matthew Cornell

    It’s true. I wonder how much comes from supportive parenting and early environments… Also, the importance of experience – we gain confidence (and master fear) when we *do* things and reflect on the consequences, I think.

  • http://ideamatt.blogspot.com/ Matthew Cornell

    It’s true. I wonder how much comes from supportive parenting and early environments… Also, the importance of experience – we gain confidence (and master fear) when we *do* things and reflect on the consequences, I think.

  • http://derrickkwa.blogspot.com Derrick Kwa

    Good post, I think the value of confidence is under-rated. At least in Singapore, ego is normally seen as a bad thing. I think because the outward appearance of confidence sometimes can be seen as arrogance, and people (at least here) don’t want to come across as arrogant.

    I just blogged about this topic a couple of days ago, would love to know what you think. http://derrickkwa.blogspot.com/2007/08/confidence-vs-arrogance.html

  • http://derrickkwa.blogspot.com Derrick Kwa

    Good post, I think the value of confidence is under-rated. At least in Singapore, ego is normally seen as a bad thing. I think because the outward appearance of confidence sometimes can be seen as arrogance, and people (at least here) don’t want to come across as arrogant.

    I just blogged about this topic a couple of days ago, would love to know what you think. http://derrickkwa.blogspot.com/2007/08/confidence-vs-arrogance.html

  • http://www.tastyblogsnack.com Justine

    Great post (and follow up posts).. Always easier said than done, but it is great to see when someone overcomes their fears.

    Just do it! Most likely, you won’t regret it.

  • http://www.tastyblogsnack.com Justine

    Great post (and follow up posts).. Always easier said than done, but it is great to see when someone overcomes their fears.

    Just do it! Most likely, you won’t regret it.

  • http://thegabbygeek.com Sheryl

    I’m confident. But I think many people misunderstand the term. You see, I believe I have abilities. I believe everyone does, and when I am doing something I know I have a skill in I never waver. I am confident. What I am not is without fear. I’m starting a new podcast series. I’m excited about it, but it’s new territory. I’m nervous about interviewing people and yet I know I can talk. So, in that, I am confident. Meeting people puts me on edge but talking does not. I think we should look at our skills and find the strength in them to feel confident, and accept that fear is part of exploration. It doesn’t mean you lack confidence it only means you lack knowledge or skill.

  • http://thegabbygeek.com Sheryl

    I’m confident. But I think many people misunderstand the term. You see, I believe I have abilities. I believe everyone does, and when I am doing something I know I have a skill in I never waver. I am confident. What I am not is without fear. I’m starting a new podcast series. I’m excited about it, but it’s new territory. I’m nervous about interviewing people and yet I know I can talk. So, in that, I am confident. Meeting people puts me on edge but talking does not. I think we should look at our skills and find the strength in them to feel confident, and accept that fear is part of exploration. It doesn’t mean you lack confidence it only means you lack knowledge or skill.