The 3 Keys to Living With Confidence

Throughout our lives, we acquire a trunk full of masks. Masks for our families. Masks for our friends and intimate relationships. Masks for our careers and colleagues. Some may even have a mask for the lady behind the counter in the deli. Whatever the circumstance and to whatever degree of intensity, life has taught us to put on a little show depending on where we are and who we are with at any given moment.

However, carrying around a trunk of masks is a heavy load -- creating confusion, frustration, and isolation as we begin to lose contact with the person underneath. While providing a level of comfort, life behind the mask is exhausting until you finally decide to reconnect with yourself and live with confidence as the wonderful, fulfilled, and imperfectly perfect person you truly already are.

Focusing on the following three areas will help you to recalibrate your internal GPS and live with the unabashed self-assurance most of us haven’t experienced since early childhood.

The 3 Keys to Living With Confidence

Believe in yourself and there will come a day when others have no choice but to believe with you.

- Cynthia Kersey

Authenticity

Truth is the shortest and simplest route to confidence. By examining your values, strengths and passions, you can tap into your authentic self. When you present yourself to the world just as you are with all your extraordinary talents and character-building imperfections, confidence is not a contrivance, it is a reality. You no longer have to rehearse every conversation in your head or strategize which persona you have to pull out of the trunk that day.

Living authentically means you have the benefit of waking up each day in alignment with who you are without judgment or fear. The freedom of being your true self results in a level of confidence far greater than anything you could manufacture out of pretense.  

Boldness

The freedom that is the natural by-product of authenticity provides you with the capacity to look at yourself in a much broader light. Living each day in truth gives you a perspective on your abilities that goes beyond the limitations that have been imposed upon you by others, and even yourself.

Your skills in storytelling and writing can naturally evolve into being a writer. Your ability to communicate and convey ideas could result in producing a podcast or series of motivational videos. You begin to see your natural abilities with a boldness that gives you the confidence to try new things and be more adventurous. And regardless of whether you succeed or not, you have more than enough confidence to know that you are capable of trying, doing, and being even more.

Clarity

Knowing who you are and discovering the endless capacity within you gives you a clarity not only about yourself, but about how you connect to the world. You are not bound by the interpretations and conclusions others develop about you. You are the author of your own narrative. You present a clear picture of yourself to everyone you meet, defining what is important to you, what motivates you, and how you choose to show up in every aspect of your life.  

Clarity gives you confidence because you understand your own character and cannot be caused to waiver in self-doubt in the face of conflict. You are able to stay on course for your own journey, moving past the distractions of everyday life while also being able to reflect and adjust to ensure that you stay in alignment with your values and goals. Whether you follow a set path or stray from it, you remain confident in your decisions because they remain rooted in the clear vision you have of yourself.

Confidence from the inside out

Living with confidence is more than just an inspirational concept. In reality, confidence comes from the acceptance of ourselves, the perspective to see beyond our perceived limitations, and being clear on exactly how we engage with everyone and everything in our lives. Confidence is part of the natural state of being when we live in alignment with our true selves.