One of my resolutions for 2018 is to be more intentional in all that I do, for me, that looks like paying closer attention to the ‘why’ in my decision making. For instance asking myself why I want the burger instead of the salad (am I eating to compensate for something else?) or why am I spending my time on the couch procrastinating instead of tackling that project I’ve been putting off (Does the project intimidate me? Do I feel overwhelmed by the project?). Being more intentional also means I am paying attention to the little lessons life seems to inadvertently teach. I’m of the belief that to gain something from an experience good or bad, you need to be able to take away a lesson from it, the best way to assist in my quest to be more intentional is to attempt to take at least 3 lessons from the week and because I have a blog I can share those with you good people in hopes that you may learn a thing or two with me! So here we go…
1. Confidence isn’t an emotion, it is an action!
Of course I had to break out my most confident looking selfie to further explain…So, my Aunt just recently sent me thisYouTube video by Mel Robbins and after listening to it, it was as if I finally understood a fact about myself that I didn’t before. I am confidant! I always thought that confidence was a personality trait. The people who are comfortable in large groups, look you in the eye and just always seem to be so self-assured, those were the ones who had all that confidence, but after listening to Mel I learned that confidence is a skill not a trait, it can be built over time. That confidence is situational – it can be rocked depending on what is happening in your life (divorce, job loss, anything else that makes you question yourself), and lastly that confidence begins with ACTION! That’s where I learned just how confident I really am. I often feel nervous in large groups, I worry if people like me, do I look good enough, am I smart enough? Those thoughts are normal but what makes me confident is that while I have those thoughts they don’t stop me from taking ACTION. I am often second guessing myself on many things but that hasn’t stopped me from starting a blog, moving cross-country, speaking in front of large groups of people, saying yes to that date. It is in my willingness to take action that I am building confidence. Just like we create habits around self-doubt by constantly doubting ourselves and retelling ourselves the same stories over and over, well, we can build confidence by taking action when something scares us or shakes our belief in ourselves. So, say yes to that thing that scares you, say yes to that new job opportunity you don’t think you’re qualified for, say YES to that party where you won’t know many people there. It’s the repetition of doing what makes you fear that grows your confidence.
2. One of the best things to do in the rain is to duck inside a comfy cute coffee shop and watch the world go by. LA hasn’t gotten much rain so when we do get a little, I find myself wanting to take advantage of it. One way I do that is by ducking into a coffee shop and watching the world go by. There’s just something so comforting about sitting next to a big picture window watching the world go by to the sound of rain falling, as you hold a cup of piping hot coffee in your hand and devour a big book in a chair so fluffy and comfy you sink into it when you sit down. This little lesson wasn’t planned, but it did remind me that there are simple pleasures that make me happy and don’t cost anything to do.
3. There are tons of exhibits I need to check out in So Cal before they’re gone. The 3 on my list are Iñárritu’s exhibit at LACMA, Carne y Arena, a VR experience of crossing the US / Mexico border. The Museum of Illusions, where pictures are encouraged as you dive into 3D images that are vividly dynamic on every topic of interest to mankind, and The Infinity Mirrored Room a mirror-lined chamber housing a dazzling and seemingly endless LED light display. I don’t make enough time to experience the art scene in LA like I should and I usually realize this as I’m experiencing the art scene in LA. So, this year I’ll make a more concerted effort.
So what are 3 lessons you’ve learned in the past week? Let’s keep the momentum going! I would love to know in the comments below.