If I could describe the notion of self-confidence in one sentence, I would say:
Self confidence is the best tool you can use.
I work in a very dangerous industry; someone will always have a better idea than yours and there will always be someone to catch you and shut you down. The key to surviving this is to have great self-confidence, which is why most advertising professionals, filmmakers, writers, artists, and creatives are so steadfast in their beliefs. Trust me, we don’t want to sound like idiots, but sometimes it’s the only way to survive in a cutthroat world.
However, I discovered the importance of this characteristic shape before entering the world of work. I’m not sure exactly when, but I must have been around 16, past my awkward and not-so-pretty phase of puberty.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m still as awkward as it seems. The only difference now is that I show it off. I can continue to say weird things or act weird, but I do it with an attitude of if you don’t like it then deal with it.
Now, let’s not confuse self-confidence with having an inordinate ego. The two are very different.
First, our egos are the identities we construct; it is a combination of the beliefs we have about our talents, abilities, personality, and appearance. These notions are always false. It is a very active part of who we are and what we do and plays a large role in creating emotional drama in our everyday lives.
Have you ever caught yourself saying “Nobody likes me”, “The mole on my chin is so ugly” or “I’m so smart”? The selves and the mes are our egos speaking.
Secondly, having a very active or big ego has negative consequences most of the time; a person can become more self-centered, self-centered, and self-indulgent as he seeks constant recognition and validation of notions from her. I knew nobody liked me because my friend didn’t message me back. I knew my mole was horrible because the cute boy completely ignored me.
Self-confidence, on the other hand, is an assessment of our self-worth; Do we have any value for ourselves and for those around us? It does not depend on other people’s judgments or our interactions with them; instead, it comes from a place deep within ourselves.
Deepak Chopra, one of the most influential people of the century, beautifully described the idea of self-confidence. He said that “…true self-esteem is based on direct experiences of your core consciousness, your higher self, which lies beyond your ego…You cannot feel ashamed, resentful, humiliated or proud. Higher Self Esteem it is simply an acknowledgment of pure awareness.”
There’s a fine line between the two, which can get blurry at times. The trick is
redirect our focus on ourselves and our own ideas and not on what others may think of us. Acknowledge and accept your weaknesses along with your strengths and don’t dwell on either, because once you do, your ego kicks in.
I wasn’t always aware of the importance of being confident until I realized how hard it was to be insecure. I was not able to enjoy the simplest things nor did I have the courage to venture out of my comfort zone.
Here I am now, after some tough lessons, doing things I never imagined doing and feeling comfortable doing them too. I have come in terms of who I am, my abilities, my talents, and my flaws, and I strive to improve myself on a daily basis.
It is not as scary or difficult as it seems. In fact, it’s totally worth it. The benefits have been cultivated in my relationships, my career and my whole life, really. It has also become the best accessory I can wear. It has kept the spark alive in my life because I am no longer held back by fear or shame.
But it is an endless journey; we must strive to accept who we are and improve our ways so that we can reach the ultimate level of self-awareness and ultimately enlightenment.