This is my second post in a cross blog conversation.
In response to Nicole’s last post.
I had forgotten that we officially met through the WAHM MVP Competition Nicole! Another reason that I love doing that ;) If I remember correctly, you hid in a bathroom with a bottle of beer! (or was that another time?)
I think it was ‘much afraid’ that I called you and that is actually a literary reference to a character in a favorite Christian book of mine Hinds Feet in High Places. If you haven’t read it – you must get it. It’s a quick read. An allegory of how we are often ‘much afraid’ of life and it’s challenges but find that when we face our fears (with the Shepherds help) we are much stronger that we thought.
That you recognize your value is good to hear! We can know something about ourself ‘sort of’ but when we see and hear that others know it too, it goes a long way in confirming our skills and expertise doesn’t it?
You asked me:
“Ever since I’ve known you, you *always* seem so together, so confident, so sure of everything that you do. On your show, you just exude confidence. And, when you see a “wrong” in the work at home mom community, you are the first one to call it, even though you know there’ll be a back-lash. It doesn’t even seem to phase you to put yourself out there as a target. Are you really that confident all the time in business and in personal life? And, were you always that confident or is it something you learned over time? And, if you learned it… any tips for me? “
Hard questions Nicole! Hard to answer…
On one hand, yes – I really am that confident. I’ve got the kind of temperament that sees things as being very black and white and when I think I’m right, I’m pretty much willing to lay it all on the line.
This can make for trouble when I’m wrong ;)
But most of the time, it serves me well.
Too many people are wishy washy. Too many live in gray areas all the time and never take a stand for what is right or wrong. I can’t live that way. When I try to, I makes me sick to my stomach.
I really do think that God wired me to have strong convictions and and gave me the strength to stand up for them even in the face of heated opposition. (Like when I take a stance against sludge spewers in the WAHM community)
But does that mean that I’m made of steel? That having someone turn and attack me for telling the truth about a situation doesn’t hurt? Unfortunately not. Words always hurt. I’ve seen my picture on a forum with a beard and ‘troll’ written on it. (In response to my stance against an illegal ponzi scheme mascarading as an ‘innocent auto surf’.) That didn’t just hurt – it felt like a knife in my back.
You would think after an experience like that that I would just shut up and mind my own business… LOL! But we all know that isn’t going to happen ;)
Now… truth: I am not always confident in my personal life. There are days when I wake up, look myself in the mirror and think ‘Who the heck are you?’
I think most people do this every once in awhile… Nicole, don’t you?
I just don’t let it affect what I do. A moment of self doubt is just a moment of self doubt. It’s not going to define my day or my life.
Do I have any tips for you? Yes, I think so…
- Standing up for what is right may make some people mad but it gives other people courage to do the same – so do it!
- True confidence in life comes from know Whose you are and Who He made you to be.
- True confidence in business comes from enjoying the fruit of your labors.
That’s about as sage as I dare get tonight ;)
Now, for my question for you…
What is the number one thing that you look for in the people that you want to work closely with?
Until next time… Smooches!
Blog voyeurs… How confident do you feel about life and business?