How To Bottle Confidence

Re-reading some of our past Our Little Books Guest Post Wednesday posts, one stood out especially in light of the upcoming July 4th holiday weekend. Back during the new year holiday season, Molly Burke, the Queen of Confidence, posted about being confident throughout the holidays- a time where people typically can stumble. What is interesting is that her reasoning can be applied to any holiday or actually any time of the year because everyone has some time when they struggle with confidence. We suggest that you enjoy this post again, and take her words to heart, no matter what time of year.

'Tis the season, right? Yet for some, tidings of comfort and joy are hard to come by. They suffer from Seasonal Confidence Malaise. This internal affliction prevents otherwise happy people from fully enjoying this season. So, how do you cope with the internal and external pressures that can all too easily transform this season into one fraught with tension and trepidation? What can you do beat Seasonal Confidence Malaise (SCM)? 

Here are three easy ways to create a greater sense of self confidence as you breeze through the holidays.

1. Don’t go it alone.
2. It’s okay to say, “No”.
3. Volunteer.

Let’s take these one at a time and make them workable, shall we?

1. Don’t go it alone.

Seems kinda obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. There is a great deal to be said for the borrowed and/or bolstered confidence that comes from surrounding yourself with folks who like you. Take a “Holiday Wingman” to the parties and gatherings you’re invited to. That way you’ve always got someone to talk to, laugh with, and feel at ease with.

2. It’s okay to say, “No”.

So many of us overextend ourselves at the holidays, running ourselves ragged trying to get the perfect gifts and be the perfect host/guest. Give yourself a break. Say “No” to that umpteenth party invitation, and focus instead on what matters. Give the people in your life a chance to express their affection, and express your appreciation in return. Make yourself available for that level of meaningful interaction, and gently eschew shallow gatherings that do not touch your heart. Genuine appreciation is a profound gift to give and to receive, even as you express your regrets in not attending yet another holiday bash. This holiday season, choose heartfelt sentiments over making appearances, and make your gifts the ones that express your appreciation.

3. Volunteer.

There’s nothing so moving, humbling or perspective shifting than volunteering. If you want to feel truly confident, give to others from your wellspring of time and energy. Experience the gratitude that being reminded of all your blessings provides as you serve those less fortunate. Become re-inspired by the noble, humble humanity of the people and organizations you serve. There nothing that can increase one’s self confidence so fast as giving of yourself. 

Well, there you have it. Three great ways to increase your overall feelings of self confidence as you deepen the meaningfulness of the season for yourself. Give yourself the gift of ease, grace, and give others the gifts of your honest, heartfelt confident self. Good work. Happy Holidays! 

What do you do to boost your confidence, whether during the holidays or at any other time?

Molly Burke is the Queen of Confidence. Find out more about her on her website www.lifepurposeworks.com and remember her famous words:  "I've bottled confidence and you can, too!"

Celebrating What Makes You Different is Great For Building Confidence

We are very pleased today to have for Our Little Books Guest Post Wednesday, the Queen of Confidence, Molly Burke. Molly has enough energy to fill every room she enters and shares her energy and wisdom with anyone that comes in contact with her. We are pleased to announce that Molly will be an Our Little Books author, and as you will see from this post, we can't wait for her little books. Enjoy!

You’ve heard the old adage: people are like snowflakes, no two are alike. Essential and delightful are all those differences. Worthy of celebration.

Society, humanity, tribe, family, partners. While our similarities draw us together, it’s really the differences that make it go. The differences between us give our world richer flavor, greater opportunities, more options. We can use those differences to drive our research, ignite our passions, inspire our art and music. They exalt us, challenge us, delight and surprise us.

I am pleased to live in a Bubble of Extreme Tolerance AKA the San Francisco Bay Area. Here we have all manner of folks, from arch conservatives to tree huggers, haute couture to Haight Ashbury, gender benders to traditionalists, all religions to “None, thank you” and everybody in between.  Here you either get over your petty prejudices or you are miserable from exposure. This glorious diversity affords great opportunities for celebrating what makes you different.

Yeah, you. Sitting there reading this blogpost. Hello. What makes you different?  Where are your square bits that don’t quite fit the round holes of society?

Come on, out with them. Everybody has something that makes them different. Your divine differences are exactly what the world wants, craves, needs. Your differences enrich us, touch us, move us to action and emotion. Your differences are provocative, stimulating, unnerving and edgy. They make us think. Differently.

Your differences make you who you are, as special as that clichéd snowflake and likewise worthy of great praise.

Too often we make ourselves wrong for being different, as though our unique qualities are flaws when they are in truth the spice for our individual and collective stew. Release the bonds of fitting in. Let your freak flag fly. Un-apologize. Be unrepentantly yourself, from soup to nuts. In this way, you relax into who you really are, and from there, confidence springs up naturally. Lovely uplifting confidence. And all you have to do to get it is be yourself without reservation. Warts and all. Ever so different.

It’s time now to embrace that which makes you different, unique, special. Time to celebrate!

So show us your differences. Reveal your unique qualities so that we may celebrate them. So that we may celebrate you. For truly, what makes you different changes the world. And for that, mille grazie.

“I, <your name>, honor what is different in me even as I strive for improvement.”

Molly Burke, CPCC MSU, Queen of Confidence, is a Master Life Purpose Specialist, certified professional Co-Active life coach and crackerjack motivational advocate. She’s the creator of the Life Purpose Discovery method and suite of services, and has just been signed to a 3 book publishing deal. Check out her further tips at www.lifepurposeworks.com.

“Everyone can use an extra wee dram of confidence every now and again.”