Confidence

Last year I realised the importance of confidence whilst observing the children in my class. A couple of them refused to participate in activities because they doubted their abilities. They kept saying ‘I can’t’ and shied away from making any effort. However, it was clear to see that they were more than able.

In contrast, we watched the movie ‘Catch me if you can’. The story is about a guy who had absolutely no skills or training, but managed to fake his way into flying as a pilot. He learnt the lingo, forged cheques and found a uniform, but one of the things that made him pull it off was confidence. Pure confidence. He presented himself in a way that made him seem like he could do it. And you know what? He actually did. (Until he was arrested many years later)

We each have something extremely valuable to give to others and to the world. But so often we question our usefulness and hide away for fear of being rejected or seeeming presumptuous. Many of us are gifted with being falsely humble – wanting to appear humble, but in the process not impacting others and the world in the way that we should.

This has been an important lesson for me. I usually prefer to fly under the radar and be unnoticed in the fear of others thinking I am proud and full of myself. This is, in itself, its own form of pride.

There is nothing more frustrating than being a teacher or a parent with a child who refuses to rise into their full potential for lack of confidence. But yet I do the same.

What would happen if, instead, I rose to the challenge? If I realised my strengths and abilities and was confident about giving them to others? Not boasting and bragging, but being generous with who I am and the things I have to give.

If someone can manage to fake abilities that they don’t even have to make it in the world, imagine the effect any one of us could have if we found the same confidence to contribute what we do have?