Live Broadcast: Rough Drafts & Influential Tactics
Yesterday, the author attended Confidence Live, a thought-provoking event hosted by Pixie Polite and Professor Doctor Kieran Fenby-Hulse. The day was filled with insightful talks from notable speakers, including Nicola Griffiths and Kira Matthews.
Nicola Griffiths, a renowned speaker and author, challenged the traditional notion of willpower, suggesting that a more compassionate and practical approach is key. She emphasised the importance of executive function in achieving goals, explaining the concept of two systems in our brains: Executive and Autopilot.
Griffiths' key takeaway was her strategy, “Do the thing before the thing,” which encourages preparing for tasks when energy levels are high, rather than waiting until the moment of need. This approach aims to leverage moments of high motivation to set oneself up for success, reducing reliance on willpower alone and making tasks feel more manageable by breaking them into proactive steps.
Griffiths also warned against setting goals for the "version of you who doesn't exist yet," emphasising the importance of realistic and achievable targets. She proposed a trio of plans: Ideal, Fall-back, and Bare minimum, encouraging a flexible and adaptable mindset.
Kira Matthews, another speaker at the event, encouraged questioning assumptions and doubts, advising to "leave room for doubt" and to reframe questions when necessary. Her message resonated with the author, who experienced a sense of connection during conversations between sessions, feeling powerful despite their informal nature.
Desree, a poet, performed at the event, her soft but insistent poetry leaving a memorable impression. Her poem about odd jobs, with the memorable line "call it a halo," was particularly poignant.
The day ended on a joyful note, with the author having drinks and laughter in the company of Pixie and Kieran. Sue Perkins closed the event with a warm, witty, and slightly odd closing speech, leaving the author with a full heart, a mess of scribbles, and a newfound, steadier kind of confidence.
In conclusion, Confidence Live was a day of inspiring talks and valuable insights. The event served as a reminder that confidence can show up in shared stories over drinks, in the in-between spaces, when everyone is more themselves. The author left the event feeling empowered and equipped with practical strategies for building and maintaining self-confidence.
In the spirit of the event, the author is intrigued to apply Griffiths' "Do the thing before the thing" strategy not only to professional pursuits, such as lifestyle improvements or career advancement, but also to personal hobbies like fashion-and-beauty shopping and food-and-drink experimentation at home. The author envisions a more confident self curating a stylish wardrobe, preparing delicious meals, and creating a home-and-garden oasis that reflects their unique personality.
The author also finds Kira Matthews' advice to question assumptions and doubts especially relevant in relationships, as it encourages open, honest communication and an overall shift in perspective. Travel, too, can be a catalyst for self-discovery, fostering growth and personal development, while shop-ping for souvenirs becomes a way to remember and honor new experiences.
In reflecting on the day, the author realizes that confidence doesn't always have to be loud or obvious – it can also manifest in the quiet moments, like sharing personal stories over a drink, or in the simple joy of finding the perfect statement piece in the local boutique. The author, now equipped with these practical strategies, is excited to face life's challenges with a steadier, more grounded sense of self-assurance.
