How to Walk in Confidence

Some people seem to exude confidence and joy. They walk around with their head held high, constantly stepping out of their comfort zone, walking through the fire, and coming out without any smoke billowing. How can we find that kind of swag?

I learned this lesson a few months ago when I put my manuscript, my baby, in the hands of my beta readers. The first eyes to see what I had been pouring into for ten months. I arose at 5:00 a.m. for 300 days and put my best onto paper and now I was awaiting the critiques of others.

To add insult to injury, the last book I had written was a nonfiction book that I emptied myself into and my beta readers ate me alive. A manuscript that was dear to my now broken heart lies dormant on my computer. Will it happen again? Will the beta readers take my dream and squash it? I could feel the panic rising in me and all I could do was wait…and worry.

I was driving in my car fretting about the wolves that were lurking around every corner and I heard the word “confidence” enter my mind. I perked up, stopped my swirly thoughts and said, “What?” I heard it again, “confidence.”

This has happened to me before, when I hear just one word in my head. In the past, I immediately look up the definition, for it is there that I will find the inner meaning that I am to apply to my life.

Confidence: (1) the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust. Okay, that didn’t do much for me.

(2) the state of feeling certain about the truth of something. Well, that still didn’t shed any light.

(3) A feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities. Bingo!

A feeling of self-assurance! That voice in my head was telling me to stand tall, embrace my abilities and qualities, and appreciate who I am and what I have done. In other words, I had to believe in myself and my abilities.

Well, you say, that goes without saying. Does it? The opposite of these actions is self-doubt. How many times a day do we doubt ourselves, especially when we are taking a step outside of our comfort zone or walking down a road where we experienced pain and suffering before? Ouch.

So what did I do with my epiphany? Well, I held my head high, and I began to trust that the manuscript that I had written would pass the test. It was uniquely mine and I had to be confident that others were going to enjoy it.

Confidence is not an emotion, it is a choice. I choose to walk in confidence and believe in my abilities.

Rather than fearing the outcome of the beta readers, I began to straighten my posture, take confident strides, and believe in myself and my writing skills. And here comes the speech on internal sentencing. Yes, that's what we’ve talked about in prior blogs. I began to think positively and say confident and uplifting things to myself.

To read more on that, check out one of my earlier blogs:

Self-Talk Matters — Angela Enos, Author

What are You Thinking? — Angela Enos, Author

How to Be Content — Angela Enos, Author

 I started to walk in confidence, and before I knew it, I had my first response from one of my beta readers. It turns out that the lions were pussy cats after all. And here we are today. The book is published and in the hands of many. This too is a difficult time. I could be overcome once again with worry and self-doubt, but I have learned to keep my head high and trust in myself and my abilities.

So whether you're heading to work, meeting friends, or simply taking a stroll, remember to walk with purpose and shine like the star you are. Embrace your uniqueness, hold your head high, and let that inner confidence glow. As you step out confidently into the world, people will be drawn to your positive energy and magnetic presence. So, keep that smile beaming, walk with a swagger, and show the world the incredible light that shines within you. You've got this, and the world is ready for your brilliance!

Trust yourself and walk in confidence.

Join me for my next blog: Comparing Ourselves to Others.