Key Takeaways
- Any time we want to be really confident about something new, we must first go through a period of fear, uncertainty, and discomfort.
- Somewhere in our 20s, we forget how to go through this process, and we become comfortable and seek stability.
- The number one thing that will move you forward successfully as an adult is to have a higher level of confidence, but to do so, you have to get uncomfortable.
“I’m ready! I’m ready! I’m ready!” I’m sure you probably know who that is, but if not, it’s SpongeBob SquarePants, the funny little yellow sea sponge in Nickelodeon’s long-running kids’ show of the same name. He must have repeated this chant in dozens of episodes, but it’s hilarious to watch because even when he’s in a horrible situation, he’s saying this mantra to psyche himself up so he can be confident in whatever he’s facing.
It’s a funny example of how we could approach things that are new to us. Anytime we want to be really confident about something new, we have to first go through a period of fear, uncertainty, and discomfort. This may not sound like a whole lot of fun, but you’ve seen it and been through it before. All you have to do is watch a scared kid.
You know how it is. You see a kid walking around on a playground. He’s trying to hit a ball, or learn how to ride a bike, or something else he doesn’t know how to do. You watch him go through the action over and over again. You see this fear, uncertainty and discomfort. Then, three months later, you see this same kid hitting the ball, riding the bike, and just super confident about it.
Somewhere in our 20s, we forget how to go through that process. Instead, we become comfortable, we seek stability and so forth. What I think happens is that we forget that, as children, we were forced in to a structured environment where we were required to constantly learn new things. We had to learn how to walk, talk, eat, read, write, etc. We had grades we passed through over the years in our school environment where we had to learn certain skills. All these requirements forced us to go through fear, uncertainty, and discomfort. What typically materialized after learning each of these things, is confidence.
The number one thing that will move you forward successfully as an adult, no matter what you do, is having a high level of confidence. But to get that confidence, just as we did as kids, you have to experience the fear, uncertainty, and discomfort. If you are assessing yourself and saying, “I’m just not being successful here, there, and other places,” put yourself in a situation where you have to get uncomfortable. If you structure it that way, and you have a little fear, a little uncertainty, and some discomfort, then you are doing it right, and you are going to come out the other side with more confidence.
Whatever it is that you do, be like that little kid you once were, all the way through your 80s, 90s, up until the end of your time here on Earth, because you will forever have the confidence you need to tackle anything that comes your way.
Until next time, enjoy!
Gary
