What is confidence?

When we define what is confidence, we think of amazing things: 

Joe Nameth what is confidence quote

Thankfully, confidence can be learned!  Let’s BOOST our CONFIDENCE!

Last week we focused on how to MENTALLY PREPARE for a big event – when you really need to COMMUNICATE WITH CONFIDENCE.  

Communicating with Confidnce mental preparation Talk About Talk

This week we focus on understanding: WHAT IS CONFIDENCE?

Simply put, confidence is the feeling or belief that you can rely on something. Confidence comes from the Latin fidere, meaning “to trust.” Do you trust yourself?

Read on to learn:

  • what happens to our BODIES when we’re nervous
  • the difference between confidence and ARROGANCE
  • one way you can TEST your confidence – right now!
  • confidence QUOTES from famous folks

  

Let’s do this!


What Happens to our BODIES When We’re Nervous?

We talked about breathing to calm our nerves and our sympathetic nervous system with Dr. Nadine Kelly (Episode #43 on Posture & Breathing). Anxiety or nervousness activates our sympathetic nervous system in preparation to react to a threat, which increases our heart rate and body temperature…

thermometer
(image: Unsplash @ sumecler)

The stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol tell our eccrine and apocrine glands to shift into “fight or flight” mode. This means your body temperature goes up and your pulse increases.  Different people experience different symptoms:

  • heart pounding
  • the feeling of “butterflies”
  • excessive sweating
  • red face
  • sweaty palms

 

Here’s what to do:

cold glass of water
(image: Unsplash @ ria_alfanna)

Confidence can be learned!

WHAT is CONFIDENCE vs. ARROGANCE?

There’s a continuum from nervousness  ➡️ to confidence  ➡️ to ARROGANCE.

We all know ARROGANCE is a bad thing.  But what is ARROGANCE?  Here are 4 important ways that CONFIDENCE differs versus ARROGANCE:

what is confidence? love to learn
(image: Unsplash @ timmossholder)

CONFIDENCE – is rooted in positivity and optimism – a growth mindset. Confident people seek learning opportunities.
ARROGANCE – is rooted in insecurity and defensiveness. Arrogant people seek to protect their reputation.

what is confidence? focusing on others bullseye
(image: Unsplash @ neonbrand)

CONFIDENCE – is internally focused. Confident people are intrinsically motivated.
ARROGANCE – is externally focused. Arrogant people are focused on what others think of them.

what is confidence? listening
(image: Unsplash @ roller1)

CONFIDENCE – is humility and respect for others.  Confident people are active listeners.
ARROGANCE – is being self absorbed. Arrogant people have no time to actively listen to others. 

what is confidence? finger pointing
(image: Unsplash @ nickleejeffries)

CONFIDENCE – means learning from your mistakes. Confident people are willing to take the blame.
ARROGANCE – means a fear of criticism. Arrogant people point fingers and blame others.

Got it?

✅ CONFIDENCE  ✅
⛔️ ARROGANCE  ⛔️

 


Test Your CONFIDENCE – right now!

I have a challenge for you: send me a voicemail message and you could hear your voice on the Talk About Talk podcast

  • Ask a question about communication skills
  • Suggest a podcast topic
  • Provide me with some feedback

 

send a voice message to Andrea

As I’ve mentioned, this Fall I’m planning another “Q&A” podcast episode
PLEASE SEND ME YOUR QUESTIONS! You can ? EMAIL me your question, or you can easily ? RECORD your question – and possibly hear your voice on this upcoming Q&A episode! 

I want to hear YOUR voice!  

 


QUOTES: WHAT IS CONFIDENCE?

 dalai lamai quote what is confidence

quote what is confidence

oprah winfrey quote what is confidence

diane von Furstenberg quote what is confidence

That’s it for this week. Next week: The 3rd of 3 newsletters on CONFIDENCE.  I’ll share a 5-step formula to help you Communicate with Confidence IN THE MOMENT

PLEASE forward this email to anyone who might find it helpful and encourage them to sign up for the newsletterThank you!  I appreciate it!  ?
 

Have a great week!

Talk soon,

Dr. Andrea Wojnicki
Chief Talker & Communication Coach

Dr. Andrea Wojnicki - headshot Talk About Talk horizontal logo

Most Recent ?Podcast Episodes:  
#58 – COMMUNICATING WITH CONFIDENCE Part 1: Mental Preparation
#57 – HOW TO ASK FOR HELP – with Gretchen Barton
#56 – HOW TO CHOOSE A BRAND NAME with Dr. Andrea Wojnicki

 

cover rooster image: Unsplash @hulkiokantabak