how i became confident 🌞

fear is the guardian of opportunity

When I was younger, I had extreme confidence issues.

I struggled to talk to strangers, I couldn't figure out "small talk," and – worst of all – I could barely look other people in the eye.

Basically, I hated attention.

At the same time, I craved it.

This bloated my Shadow (if you're not familiar with The Shadow concept, go Google "The Shadow – Carl Jung), and it persisted until I was halfway done with college.

One day, though, I decided I wanted to become confident.

I just didn't know how.

However, I decided that I could just start by doing what confident people do.

That meant making eye contact and talking to strangers.

So, that's what I did.

I started locking eyes with every stranger I passed on campus.

I started striking up conversations with random people in coffee shops.

I was super awkward. I had zero chill. I creeped some people out. I got cussed out every once in a while.

And you know know what?

It was okay.

Now, eight years later, I'm comfortable talking to pretty much anyone, about nearly anything, and I've got a good handle on when to make eye contact, and when to avert my gaze.

I've used these fundamental skills – eye contact and conversation – to get jobs, grow a podcast, network with venue owners and booking agents, form partnerships with other creators, and turn random strangers into fans.

It all started by mastering the little things.

So, for all you formerly shy folks out there – how did you find your confidence? 👇

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"Every habit and faculty is formed or strengthened by the corresponding act – walking makes you walk better, running makes you a better runner.

If you want to be literate, read, if you want to be a painter, paint . . .

So if you like doing something, do it regularly; if you don’t like doing something, make a habit of doing something different." – Epictetus

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