Confidence -- n. (1)the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust; (2)the state of feeling certain about the truth of something; (3)a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.
The best confidence booster i've ever found is to actually go get something done. Just like self-esteem isn't taught but comes from accomplishment, confidence is instilled when you work to do something.
You don't even have to do that something "right" by another person's standards, or get it perfect. Just trying, getting something done imperfectly, working at something, boosts confidence. It makes it so much easier to tackle whatever it is next time.
In the same way that motivation follows action, confidence is boosted when you try something and get it done, or get part of it done, or learn to do it.
"When you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it." - Theodore Roosevelt
There are times when someone asks how many times i've done something, and i have to say, this time and one more will make twice. The confidence that comes from pulling it off is unmatched.
Thus my go-to confidence booster is to look at something that needs to get done, figuring out how, and doing it.
Today is:
Children's Picture Book Day -- while i can't find a sponsor for this day, starting kids on a lifelong love of books is as good an excuse for a holiday as any
Commemoration of Sen no Rikyu -- Urasenke School of the Japanese Tea Ceremony, Japan (remembering the influential master in The Way of Tea)
Feast of Artemis -- Ancient Greek Calendar (as protector of wild animals, vegetation, and places, begins at sundown; date approximate)
Festival of the Sacrifice at the Tombs -- Ancient Roman Calendar (to honor the ancestors)
"Greatest Show on Earth" Day -- Barnum and Bailey merged their circuses on this day in 1881
Hindu New Year -- Hindu (local custom/date may vary)
Hari Raya Nyepi Tahun Baru -- Indonesia (New Year in the Balinese Saka calendar)
Nyepi Day -- Bali, Indonesia (Day of Silence, Balinese New Year/Saka New Year celebration on which everything is closed, even the international airport)
Ougadi -- Mauritius and some regions of India (the Telugu New Year)
Hot Tub Day -- because we all need one!
Invasion of Loaming Shores Beyond the Certain Sea Anniversary -- Fairy Calendar
Khordad Sal (Birth of the Prophet Zarathushtra) -- Zoroastrianism (Fasli Calendar)
Komamorijinja Reisai -- Nakaedo, Kashi-sh, Gifu, Japan (festival of the the Kosazukeishi "child-granting stone")
National Black Forest Cake Day
Ragnar Lodbrok's Day -- Asatru/Slavic Pagan Calendar (remembrance of this Viking's sack of Paris)
Respect Your Cat Day -- anniversary of King Richard II's edict in 1384 forbidding the consumption of cats
Serfs Emancipation Day -- Tibet
Something on a Stick Day -- something edible, of course, what were you thinking? never mind; almost everything tastes better on a stick
St. Guntramnus' Day (Patron of divorced people, guardians, repentant murderers)
Teachers' Day -- Czech Republic; Slovakia
Weed Appreciation Day -- at last, for those of us with black thumbs, since this is all we can grow! "Weeds are flowers once you get to know them!" A.A. Milne
Birthdays Today:
Lady Gaga, 1986
Julia Stiles, 1981
Annie Wersching, 1977
Kate Gosselin, 1975
Scott Mills, 1974
Juliandra Gillen, 1971
Vince Vaughn, 1970
Reba McEntire, 1955
Dianne Wiest, 1948
Ken Howard, 1944
Conchata Ferrell, 1943
Jerry Sloan, 1942
Freddie Bartholomew, 1924
Dirk Bogarde, 1921
Irving "Swifty" Lazar, 1907
August Anheuser Busch, Jr., 1899
Maxim Gorky, 1868
Frederich Pabst, 1836
St. Teresa of Avila, 1515
Fra Bartolomeo, 1472
Debuting/Premiering Today:
"Hair"(Rock musical), 1968
"Philadelphia Story"(Play), 1939
Today in History:
Roman Emperor Pertinax is assassinated by Praetorian Guards, who then sell the throne in an auction to Didius Julianus, 193
Viking raiders sack Paris, who leave in exchange for a huge ransom, 845
The origin of the Fasli Era in India, 1556
Juan Bautista de Anza finds the site for the Presidio of San Francisco, 1776
Nathaniel Briggs of NH patents a washing machine, 1797
Heinrich Wilhelm Matthäus Olbers discovers 2 Pallas, the second asteroid known to man, 1802
The US Salvation Army is officially organized, 1885
Henri Fabre becomes the first person to fly a seaplane, 1910
Jews are expelled from Tel Aviv & Jaffa by Turkish authorities, 1917
Constantinople and Angora change their names to Istanbul and Ankara, 1930
The McGill français movement protest occurs, the second largest protest in Montreal's history, 1969
Operators of Three Mile Island's Unit 2 nuclear reactor outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania fail to recognize that a relief valve in the primary coolant system has stuck open, leading to a partial meltdown, 1979
In South Africa, Zulus and African National Congress supporters battle in central Johannesburg, resulting in 18 deaths, 1994
The 2005 Sumatran earthquake rocks Indonesia, and at magnitude 8.7 is the second strongest earthquake since 1965, 2005
At least 1 million union members, students, and unemployed take to the streets in France in protest at the government's proposed First Employment Contract law, 2006
Australian diplomat Peter Woolcott's draft for the first-ever treaty to regulate the conventional arms trade is discussed by members of the United Nations, 2013
You hit the nail on the head. That is exactly what makes me feel brave. Getting something done that was a bit of a challenge
ReplyDeleteYou're right--getting something done is the best confidence ever. So...
ReplyDeleteIf you're ever needing confidence, stop on over to my place and do my dusting--shelves, furniture and picture frames. You'll feel great once you get it done. :-)
I agree, nothing like accomplishing something to build confidence.
ReplyDeleteSuccess at anything is a confidence builder.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. There was a time when I couldn't seen to finish anything and my confidence ebbed. Now I make a point of finishing everything I start.
ReplyDeleteI agree, that doing things, big or small, makes for confidence and pride. It's a good thing to accomplish things in life.
ReplyDeleteWhen you earn something through your accomplishments, it's far sweeter than getting something for doing nothing.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Wise words! All too often we have it backwards and put off doing things because we don't have "confidence" we can do them well. Yet the way to build confidence is to DO not to ponder.
ReplyDeleteA good day for this post, I have a ton of stuff to do today, this is great motivation to get going and knock a bunch of things off the list!
I love your attitude, your thoughts are always encouraging! You are so right about the doing something, actually proving to ourselves that we can accomplish a given task and learn new ones, that's the best confidence booster. When we learn to say "Yes I can" and then do it, those "Maybe I can't" doubts will begin to disappear. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are wise and wonderful, Mimi. I am still not able to comment at Rory's blog. Just that one blog. Very odd. I miss it, too. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!!! There is so much truth is this.. you got it perfect.
ReplyDelete