Tag: life-lessons

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The trick to confidence

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Confidence is one of those things that is easy to understand but hard to execute. But I just realized there’s a simple trick to it. All it takes is a little faith.

And believe me, this is hard-earned knowledge.

Confidence does not mean that you think you’re the best. It does not mean that whatever you’re doing will automatically succeed. And it has nothing to do with arrogance or self-delusion.

It has everything to do with letting go and having faith.

This attitude is more like a monk than a hyped-up cage fighter.

Do you have something interesting but kind of oddball to say? As long as you believe it, it’s within your values, and you’re prepared to back it up, then go for it. The backing it up takes some faith. ^ That faith is confidence.

The trick to confidence is the same as overcoming fear. You commit to it right now and don’t worry about what happens.

👉 You can’t be confident without being scared

Yeah, you may fall flat on your face or have no results whatsoever.  Confidence says, “Don’t worry – do it anyways. See what happens.”

Knowing yourself, especially your purpose and your values, will help you act with more confidence because you have a solid footing to act from.

*Usual disclaimer for any “just go for it” advice: your actions should always fit within your personal values, ethical norms, and legal constraints. Don’t do dumb shit. 🤷🏻‍♂️😆

Quotes

“Hearing ‘no’ doesn’t mean ‘never'”, and what to do about it

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This quote that came up on a list of quotes to help you deal with rejection. It underscores the idea that rejection is a milestone, a sign of progress, a proper kick in the butt. It’s a sign that you need to work on something, be patient, or change your direction.

Whether it’s for a job, a goal, or a relationship, rejection is oddly empowering. You took a risk; you put it out there. You should be proud. Hopefully you leaned something and know how to move forward with new wisdom.

Hearing “no” doesn’t mean “never.” The only things you can do are to constantly pursue growth … and make sure you’re prepared to walk in the room.

Antoinette Robertson

I like how this quote focuses on self-reflection and growth rather than wasting your time feeling bad or, worse yet, becoming resentful.

entertainment · Quotes

“I just thought there would be more.”

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Sometimes a movie can have a real impact on your life.

One movie like that for me is Boyhood, which follows a boy growing up in Texas from ages six to eighteen and, famously, was shot with all the same actors over the course of 11 years as they actually aged. 🤯

Towards the end of the movie, the mom has a bit of a midlife freakout when her son is heading off to college. She frets that all the important milestones of her life are over – two marriages, two kids, building a career. She worries about her next milestone.

You know what’s next?  It’s my fucking funeral!

It reminds me of the chorus to Nirvana’s All Apolgies: “Married, buried!”

Anyways, the son says, “Aren’t you jumping ahead by like 40 years or something?”, to which the mom replies, over her tears:

I just thought there would be more.

That line has really stuck with the last few years. It made me realize I needed to be aiming for something interesting of my own after the kids leave, beyond just my career.

That creeping thought – is this all there is? – has motivated me to work on other things in my life like friendships, writing, music, and hopefully a few more surprises down the pipe. 😉

Via The Criterion Channel
Quotes

“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”

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Back in college, I remember philosophy geeks loved to say, “Well, Kierkegaard said…” and would quote him and act all superior. It was so annoying.

Kierkegaard

But now I get it, dammit. 🤦🏻‍♂️ The dude was smart. Here’s one of my favorite quotes.

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.

Søren Kierkegaard

It’s the basic trick of life. Take what you’ve learned so far in life and use it to more forward. ➡

I really like this quote because, like with Rumi, it’s practical advice about living a good life. It’s right on the edge between “cool ideas” and basic self-help.

Wait, am I become a philosophy geek? 😱

You

Discomfort is Your Best Friend

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I really love the message in this article. It sounds severe, but discomfort is actually your best friend in life.

👉 You Will Not Grow Until You Learn to Tolerate Discomfort

I have found this to be more and more true the older I get, to the point where if things are very easy or comfortable for too long, it sort of terrifies me. It is the first sign of your downfall. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Embracing discomfort and seeing it as your friend allows you to shed fear and enjoy the feeling of progress. It lets you learn to play guitar or programming, it lets you take a chance with someone, it lets you find new ways to be happy and fit, it lets you be shed stale thinking.

When we are in pain, discomfort heightens and communicates. When we are making progress, discomfort peaks and recedes, and clarity washes over us.

PS I told my kid the other day that discomfort grows you, before I even read this article. She said that sounded like something I would read. 😂