what is CONFIDENCE part 2 - blog

What is confidence?

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

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.

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…

(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:

Wear extra anti-perspirant
Wear light, breathable clothing
*** Follow the 4P’s to Mentally Prepare!!!
Exercise and drink water, fruits and vegetables and other nutritious foods

(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:

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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…

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?

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 newsletter. Thank you! I appreciate it! ?

Have a great week!

Talk soon,