What’s something you do with confidence?

I was talking with someone earlier this week who just beamed as she said, “It just went so, so well.” She was referring to a big presentation at work in which she was asking for an investment in her program and team.

She went on to say how confident she’d felt delivering her pitch- and that that had surprised her. She didn’t always feel sure of herself when speaking up in front of leadership. In fact, she had a couple of recent experiences that had gone sideways and made her especially anxious.

We talked more about what shifted to make this positive experience possible. She discovered that in preparing for her presentation, she’d pulled on skills she uses in other parts of her work. She’d done this without really realizing that was her strategy. More specifically, she’s a strong team lead and project manager. She feels supremely confident in her ability to break down a complex task, plan the needed steps, and communicate throughout with her staff.

When she applied the same process to this investment request, she felt prepared—and confident. It showed and the presentation went off without a hitch.

It made me think that reflecting (in advance) on things we do with confidence can help inform how we tackle tasks and opportunities where we’re feeling shaky or unsure.

So this week’s journal prompt is: What’s something you do with confidence?

Go ahead, put it down. No one is reading this. As you reflect, try to disconnect the outcome from how you feel while doing it. For example, you can run a race confidently and not win. Can you break down your process a bit? What are the steps you take that help you feel sure of your abilities?

Now think about something you’re doing now that’s new, especially difficult, or hasn’t gone well in the past- something where you’re not feeling as sure of yourself.

What might happen if you apply some or all of the same steps?

“Trust yourself–you know more than you think you do.” - Benjamin Spock