Before I get too far into this post, I want you to understand the distinctions between these two definitions:
Confidence – Belief in oneself and one’s powers or abilities; self-confidence; self-reliance; assurance
Arrogance – Offensive display of superiority or self-importance; overbearing pride.
See the difference? I’ll assume you do. Now make sure you don’t show arrogance when you’re meaning to show confidence. On to the post…
I’ve been noticing something in my life a lot more lately that has helped contribute to success. Once I started paying closer attention to this trend and noticing how it influences outcomes, I knew I needed to share it so others could hopefully replicate the process.
I’ve noticed that when combining strategy with confidence, the chances of success increase dramatically. Will the result always be positive each and every time you combine strategy with confidence? More than likely not. But I’ve experienced successful results enough times to make me believe the chances of getting a win rather than a fail with this combo is highly likely.
Making strategic decisions is important – both in your personal and professional life. Mapping out a clear plan of action that includes very specific steps is really important when it comes to accomplishing whatever it is you’ve set your sights on. But, I don’t think strategy is enough to ensure success. If you don’t evoke confidence and truly believe that whatever course you’ve mapped out is the best possible option, then all that planning and prepping goes to waste.
Yes, people pull off things all the time that they didn’t believe could really happen. But they’re sweating bullets throughout the entire process and expecting the worst. Is that really what you want to do? Even if you’re trying something new or prescribing something that hasn’t been done before, if you’ve done the appropriate research and prep work and you truly believe the outcome will be great, then stay confident through the entire process until the very end. And if it doesn’t work out, then you’ve learned a valuable lesson for the next time. Don’t let the fear of the unknown crush your confidence.
Let me give you an example of how the strategy/confidence combo has worked for me lately. I play tennis once a week. I played competitively in high school, took a few years off during college and the beginning of my transition into the “real world,” then started back up a little more than two years ago. So, while I still play pretty well, my skills aren’t as refined as they would be if I were taking lessons or playing a few times a week.
I know this, and there have been several times that I’ve known the right shot to make, but I won’t do it because I’m timid. I think that I haven’t practiced enough to pull off that type of shot, or I don’t hit the ball as hard as I could because a softer shot will more likely go over the net, so my lack of confidence gets the best of me.
But as I’ve been focusing lately on making sure my confidence shows through in all aspects of my life, I’ve noticed a change in my tennis game the past few weeks. I’m playing really well, I’m hitting the ball harder and I’m taking riskier shots because I’m confident I can make them. Yes, I still lose games and miss shots. But I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I started winning more consistently when I started playing with more confidence.
Test out my theory. Start being more conscientious of being confident during work and play. See if that confidence helps you achieve better results.
Do you agree that strategy and confidence is a smart combo? Do you have examples of how showing confidence has helped you achieve success?