“Your overwhelm is showing.” I was juggling a lot of things, assuming greater responsibility, and feeling like I wasn’t measuring up so I saw the truth in this feedback when I got it. There were other comments, too, indicating that my insecurities and waning self-confidence were visible to others.
This hit me hard. At first I didn’t really understand it. Lack of confidence is not a way that I would have described myself. Believing in myself and seizing challenging opportunities had led me to many accomplishments in my life.
The feedback kept whispering to me to pay attention, and, ultimately, after some initial push back, I dug really deep to understand. I found myself curious:
- Where does confidence come from?
- What role do others play in our self-confidence?
- What makes confidence expand and grow?
- What diminishes one’s self confidence?
My self-confidence has very deep roots: it started with the unconditional love of my parents from the time I was nothing more than an idea. Many others are the water and sunshine that enable my confidence to grow strong, most notably my husband, who has the clearest view, and always lifts me up to keep me soaring. Yet, here I was, in a place of self-doubt and uncertainty.
As I explored the questions, I realized how complex confidence is. It’s about who we are and deeply personal, and it’s about our interplay within a larger community – how we impact others and how they influence us. Someone who believes in you helps you open up to what you’re capable of. Likewise, if those around you doubt you or see mostly what goes wrong, your self-esteem can be negatively impacted. In the end, it is you and believing in yourself that matters. And, it is incredibly helpful to have a web of supporters who point you in the direction of your greatness. Initial questions led to more:
- What makes me feel confident?
- When am I confident?
- Why am I confident?
- What does confidence look like? for me? to others?
- What is possible when I am confident?
- What is the impact of my confidence or lack of it?
- What actions can I take to grow in my confidence?
I realized that I had been acting out of fear. I had succumbed to it by trying really hard to control things. I was behaving the way that I saw others around me behaving, or at least responding to my environment in the way I thought would make others happy. I was working non-stop as if 24X7@work were some kind of merit badge I had to have. I was going right back up to my desk after dinner to finish work instead of relaxing. Some days I didn’t even take the time to shower. I had not been to my yoga class in over a month. I was running only about once a week. My morning reflection time had completely disappeared. My journal hadn’t been opened in weeks. I was declining lunch dates with my girl friends. My volunteer work was completely off the radar.
I was not taking care of myself, and I had effectively removed all the things that support me in having clarity, feeling gratitude, gaining perspective – the very things I needed most at this challenging point in my career. I was definitely off track. Not only did I not feel confident, I was stressed and unhappy. I was out of alignment with what I believed is important. I’d lost integrity with myself.
One by one I have started to reclaim all the things I need to feel good about myself and to support me as I stretch into living my dreams. I am getting grounded again and seeing what I need to see:
- The root of believing in myself is CLARITY – to be confident requires understanding what I want to accomplish and create in the world.
- ACCEPTANCE is fundamental – to believe in myself I must not only understand but also appreciate who I am and what I am a stand for.
- INTENTION is the path forward – to set a clear path and make conscious choices about where I am going and why I am headed that way is important.
As I reflected back, I could pin point where fear had shown up. When the tape replayed in my mind, I could also see many courageous moments. A light came on! Ah, this confidence thing is not all or nothing. You can be confident about this and not so confident about that. I was reminded that I’m typically a little shaky when trying something new and stretching beyond my comfort zone. Mmm…this overwhelm, this uncertainty, this waning confidence…it means I’m growing. How wonderful!
* I took this photo at Playa San Agustinillo, Oaxaca, Mexico of this talented pup, who exudes confidence as he wanders around town and plays on the beach. On this particular morning, he decided to be my walking companion and delighted me with his frolicking and games.
Want more?
25 Killer Actions to Boost Your Self-Confidence
63 Ways to Build Self-Confidence
Leading With Intention 
I love that you’ve had so many self-revelations in such a short period of time. When we let go of fear, we blossom which is what you truly do ~ you blossom and shine dear Vicki! xo
I feel like I am blossoming! You are part of the sunshine that supports my growth – thank you!
Great post – I needed this today Vicki! Every time I go through a job transition, I am reminded of this ‘overwhelm’ feeling. The good news is the more I face it , the quicker I put it behind me.
Allison, that’s exactly it, a new job…glad to know that practice helps! Looks like you made executive – congratulations! Delighted that the post is just what you needed today!
Thanks for sharing – I am often besieged by self-doubt & will follow up some of the suggestions and links here
Kim, I hope the post and the information helps you in some way.
This was a wonderful post at just the right time!
I love when the timing is right! Thanks for letting me know you liked the post, Cheryl.
I really like this post about self-confidence and how you reclaimed it piece by piece. You are so intelligent and amazing!
“Whatever men do not understand, they find unconvincing!” – 7 Faces of Dr. Lao
To that end, you are a shining diamond in my book!
Jennifer, thank you so much for the encouragement. You are a model for me of taking the small steps that lead to great things!
Vicki, great blog! This last few months I’ve been thinking of confidence after reading the Confidence Code. Confidence is hard to define but easy to know when you have it, or don’t have it. I think confidence is a cycle that builds stronger and stronger the more you master things. You start something new or there is a lot of change, and confidence is low. Then you have the confidence to dream a bigger you. Then you go try to do things, some work and some don’t. If you have confidence, you don’t give up if you’re aligned to your true convictions. Then you hit the promised land where you’re super-confident in what you do! Then you go do it all over again with something else – because you’re just into that kind of personal growth. 🙂 It sounds like you’re leading your life through the highs and the lows and you’re a wonderful example. Thank-you for sharing this.
That’s it, Sunita! I see a circular pattern, spiraling upward, symbolic of growth, as I read your view on confidence. Seems to link to Yvonne at the Presents of Presence post today where she talks about seeing life spherically: http://misifusa.wordpress.com/2014/11/08/behind-the-closed-door/ I’m intrigued by the idea of life as something much more complex that a line and moving from point A to point B. So much richness and challenge to get lost in – to grow from! Thanks for sharing your wise perspective.