Confidence: The 9 Factors That Will Make You Unstoppable
It is often said that confidence is key to success, yet, it can sometimes be challenging to develop and maintain. Understanding how to build self-confidence is a critical component of life so that you can continue to pursue anything you want.
So, what does it take to be confident? Confidence is not a trait that you're simply born with - it's cultivated, nurtured, and grown over time.
Confidence is about self-belief, resilience, and strength, and these principles guide us at Crowned as we design each piece of our jewelry.
Let's explore the 9 factors of confidence inspired by Kent Sayre's book, 'Unstoppable Confidence', and how they may help provide you with more awareness on your path to becoming unstoppably confident.
Experience
Every new experience is an opportunity to grow your confidence.
Embrace new opportunities, challenges, and experiences as they come because they add to your journey. The more experience you have, the more familiar you become with the situation, and it isn't as scary anymore.
Remember when you thought starting your new job was exciting yet a little nerve-wracking all at the same time? And then, after working there for months, you one day realize that it's normal and working in that place wasn't as intimidating as it had once seemed.
This is what experience does to you. It helps you move your comfort circle to become a bit bigger so that things become normal and comfortable for you.
Understanding
Confidence is built on the foundation of understanding. Being able to interpret situations effectively gives us a better idea of how we should respond and how to approach them.
For example, let's say you've been asked to present at a work meeting. Initially, this request might fill you with dread. You're not a seasoned public speaker, and the thought of presenting in front of your colleagues unnerves you. You're worried about what they might think, whether you'll be able to articulate your points effectively, and if you'll be able to answer any questions that come up.
This fear and uncertainty significantly diminish your confidence.
Now, you decide to take control of the situation (with your Crowned jewelry adorned on you, of course! 😉). You start by fully understanding the topic you're supposed to present on. You dive deep into research, understanding the nuances, the pros, the cons, and potential questions that could arise. You also take the time to understand your audience, what they might already know, and what new information you can provide to engage them.
Next, you work on understanding the mechanics of public speaking. You watch TED talks and videos about public speaking techniques, learning about body language, voice modulation, and the importance of a compelling start and finish. You practice your presentation multiple times, refining your delivery each time.
The result? With this newfound understanding of both your topic and public speaking, your confidence starts to soar. You feel prepared, you know your subject inside out, and you're equipped with techniques to deliver an engaging presentation.
This would be an example of how understanding can lead to a significant boost in confidence.
Decision Making
Confidence is trusting your instincts and believing in your ability to make the right choices.
My mentor taught me the phrase "decide and do." He says that most of our time is wasted in not making decisions. We go back and forth for hours—or even weeks—deciding whether to make that big purchase, what to eat for lunch, etc. Delaying a decision can be mentally taxing because it consumes more brain power and occupies unnecessary space in your mind.
The act of finally making a decision brings with it a newfound sense of confidence. You've taken control of your future and made a decision that's right for you at that moment. This decision-making process and the final decision itself can significantly strengthen your confidence, as you've proven to yourself that you can take charge of the things you want and make decisions that align with you.
Empowerment
Empowerment and confidence are intertwined. Having a clear structure and plan can make you feel more in control and confident.
One example of empowerment is setting goals. Creating a plan with clear, achievable goals gives you something to work towards and allows you to see your progress. It also gives you a sense of control and confidence in your ability to make progress and achieve the things that are important to you.
For instance, let's say you've been wanting to learn Vietnamese for a while but haven't been motivated enough to make it happen. To empower yourself, you set a goal of attending Vietnamese classes twice a week and dedicating an hour each day to studying outside class. You create a step-by-step plan with these goals in mind, break it down into smaller chunks if needed, and reward yourself along the way when milestones are achieved. Over time, this plan starts to help build your confidence as you realize how capable and determined you are to achieve your goals.
As we start seeing progress in our goals over time, our confidence grows because we know that we can do challenging things. When we trust ourselves and believe that anything is possible with hard work and dedication, there's no limit to what we can achieve!
Action
Confidence is the result of taking action. To feel confident, you have to take action toward achieving your goals.
Action can come in many forms—small or big. You could start by learning more about something that interests you, taking a class, or starting a new project.
Anything that gets us closer to our goal gives us this confidence boost because we're actually doing something, and it's making an impact. When we see results from our efforts, it reinforces our belief that we can do whatever we set out to achieve. We no longer have just thoughts and dreams; we now have proof that our ideas can turn into reality with some effort and determination!
Goal-Orientation
There's something incredibly powerful about setting a goal and then watching yourself achieve it. It's like watching a seed you've planted sprout into a beautiful, flourishing plant. That's why goal orientation is such a crucial factor in building unstoppable confidence.
Goal-orientation isn't just about setting goals, though. It's about focusing on those goals, and more specifically, focusing on the outcomes you want to see. Instead of getting tangled up in the nitty-gritty details and the potential obstacles, you're looking at the bigger picture. You're keeping your eyes on the prize.
Take a moment to consider a goal you've had in the past. Maybe it was to start your own business, run a marathon, or learn a new language. At the beginning, it can feel incredibly daunting. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the steps you need to take or the challenges that might arise.
But what if instead of focusing on every individual step or potential setback, you focus on what achieving that goal will look like? You visualize running across the finish line, conversing fluently in that new language, or opening the doors to your own business. This kind of visualization not only helps you plan better, but it also builds your confidence. It creates a clear, tangible image of success in your mind, and that success starts to feel more achievable.
As you start taking steps toward your goals and achieving smaller milestones, your confidence grows even more. You start to see proof that you can do it, that you're capable, that you're getting closer to your goal. It's like you're collecting little nuggets of success and each one adds to your confidence bank.
And it's not just about the big, long-term goals. Small, short-term goals are just as important. They can provide quick wins and keep your momentum going. Each small goal achieved is another step towards your ultimate goal, another boost to your confidence.
Motivation
Think of motivation as the spark that ignites confidence.
Motivation is the internal drive that pushes you toward your goals. It's that spark within you that gets you up in the morning, eager to take on the day and make progress toward what you desire. It's central to building and maintaining confidence because it inspires action, and action breeds confidence.
But how can you nurture motivation and use it to fuel confidence? First, it's important to understand what motivates you. Is it the desire to make a positive change in the world, personal growth, or the pursuit of knowledge, or maybe it's the sense of satisfaction you get from achieving your goals? Identifying what motivates you is the first step to unlocking a more confident you.
Surrounding yourself with people who are passionate about what they do can also strengthen motivation. Seeing their enthusiasm and dedication can inspire you to bring the same energy and commitment to your dreams. Their belief in their ability to achieve their goals can be infectious and can help stimulate your self-belief.
Momentum
Momentum can be seen as the confidence catalyst because once you start taking action toward your goals, momentum will follow. Each success, no matter how small, adds to this momentum, fueling your confidence and inspiring you to achieve more.
But how can you build and maintain this positive momentum? It starts with taking the first step toward your goals. This action, this initiation, puts the snowball into motion. Whether it's attending the first class of a course you've always wanted to take, writing the first page of a book you've dreamed of authoring, or simply setting your alarm earlier to start a new morning routine, these initial actions are the start of your momentum.
Then, each following action, each subsequent success, adds to this momentum. It's important to celebrate these wins along the way, no matter how minor they may seem—all achievements are worth recognizing.
These celebrations serve two essential purposes. Firstly, they provide a sense of accomplishment, reinforcing the belief in your capability to achieve your goals. Secondly, they act as motivation, pushing you to continue your journey, to keep the momentum going.
Commitment
Commitment is the driving force that keeps us going even when the going gets tough. When we are committed, we give ourselves the permission to believe in our own abilities and to keep moving forward, strengthening our confidence in the process.
But what does being committed really mean? It's more than just making a decision or setting a goal. Commitment is about the consistent actions we take to make that goal a reality. It's about the sacrifices we're willing to make, the effort we're ready to put in, and the resilience we show in the face of adversity.
Think about a goal you're working towards right now. Your commitment to this goal isn't just about setting it and hoping for the best. It's about the work you do each day to make it happen. As you put in the work, you'll start to see progress.
But what about when things don't go according to plan? Commitment also means having the determination to push through challenges and setbacks. When you face an obstacle, your commitment helps you see it as a learning opportunity rather than a failure. Overcoming these obstacles not only moves you closer to your goal but also strengthens your confidence, reinforcing your belief in your ability to succeed.
Stay committed to your goals, embrace the journey with all its ups and downs, and watch as your dedication fuels your unstoppable confidence. Remember, each step you take, each challenge you overcome, is a testament to your commitment and a boost to your confidence.
In this journey towards self-confidence, every step you take brings you closer to embracing your strength and resilience. At Crowned, we're honored to be a part of this journey with you. Our jewelry is more than an accessory—it's a symbol of your power, your journey, and your confidence.