Confidence
The good old accountability group chat challenge is the primary reason for this blog post. I was thinking about what’s meaningful enough to write about since the last article and one word came to mind:
CONFIDENCE
That’s right, confidence, thinking back to a book by James Smith, strangely enough titled…. Confidence. He talks about dieting and working out and how in his years as a personal trainer asking clients why they’re there. The answers would vary from losing weight, to getting a 6 pack etc but in reality they’re all looking for increased confidence. You’re better off reading the book for the actual, concise version of the story but that’s the gist of it.
Since starting this challenge and pursuing this path of growth, public commitments, content creation and prioritising health, fitness, nutrition and positive lifestyle choices. The thing that’s improved the most In the last 10 weeks is my confidence and the lack of f*cks I give now, don’t get me wrong, I still over think things, worry, procrastinate but NO WAY near as much as 10 week ago David.
It feels like a strong position to be in and I’m looking forward to future dividends being paid. I’ve written at length about the no booze and focus on sleep so I won’t delve into those themes again but by investing in myself the way I have is leading to new opportunities, deals being done and I feel like I’m only getting started.
I feel that there’s a monumental shift happening. By putting out more content, conversations with people I don’t know have opened up. I’ve felt more likely to talk to random people. I don’t avoid challenging conversations anywhere near as much and overall it feels like head way is being made.
So the question I’d be wanting answered right now if I was reading is. That’s good for you but what do I do? How do I get started?
To which I’d say, the same way you run a marathon, one step at a time, just keep moving, do stuff, try stuff, momentum is the key. Thinking of a friend who’s unofficially challenged me to a race to the $10 million. I love that this challenge has created that type of motivation around my small but really cool circle of friends and connections.
I think there’s some practical steps to take. Depending on what you’re trying to achieve. If it is running, try run for a minute, then walk then run another minute. Don’t be hard on yourself, just do what you can and try and improve every time you go out / just build some mileage up, it’ll get easier.
Read running books, listen to running podcasts, follow runners on Youtube, there’s a plethora of content out there to both inspire you and build technical skills.
For myself and this challenge my strategy has been a multi pronged one:
Measurement / document financial outgoings and incomings
Invest in myself, education, quality clothing, presenting myself well
Surrounding myself with positive, driven, capable friends, social media connections, the content I follow
Starting to try and make smaller amounts of money in anyway + optimising anything currently coming in
I don’t have the full 10 years mapped out, not at all, I’m aware that something significant will need to happen to get there as relying on “normal” returns, capital growth and increasing my work incoming / hourly rate to a “high” rate won’t be enough. I will need to use leverage and or rely on a big pay day from something like a business exit or a development or something.
That’s okay though, I don’t need to know the exact path right now, as I say before I’m just putting one foot in front of the other, doing what I can to improve myself every day and being consciously aware of every day, week and month counting.
If you’re struggling with getting started, read wither the Confidence book or Atomic Habits by James Clear. The essence of that book is start with anything, literally anything, if its the running example, start by putting on your running shoes, that’s it. From there you’ll likely be able to make it out the door and from there you’ll likely be able to run 500m or so.
I’m pumped about this next phase and love chatting with anyone interested in the challenge so if you’re curious or want to talk, just reach out!