Believing you can figure it out, whatever it is

The most important voice to listen to is the one that reminds you of all that you’ve accomplished in the past.

Even if you have never done this particular thing before, you can figure it out, whatever it is.

Confidence comes from honesty. Self confidence comes from dealing with the world in reality, not the world in our mind. We all have desires and fantasies. However, the most confident beings among us never deny inconvenient truths but rather face them full force.

Confident people respond quickly in real time to problems. Addressing discomfort and managing expectations is a skill. When you can recognize the strength that it takes to face your pain, you become more confident.

Confident people also listen to feedback and criticism without shopping for the opinions of others. They know where they stand and they value the voices of others without letting their own voice get lost.

Listening to the most important voice means listening for the truth. However, the truth is not always the most popular opinion.

Just because people share a delusion doesn't make it true. Surrounding yourself with people who tell you what you want to hear, people who always tell you you’re right doesn’t help you grow.

If you are actually wrong, being surrounded by voices that tell you wrong doesn’t change anything.

Only after we accept reality and listen to reason can we change our future.

How willing are you to change your mind about what you think you already know. The most successful people aren’t the ones with the best ideas or the hardest work ethic, they are the ones who can take control of their mindset. They don’t get attached. They are masters of detachment. Mastering detachment makes lots of room for creativity.

When you let go of your attachments, it's a turning point. When you finally release what you’re holding on to, you put yourself in a creative cycle.

The outcome of your creative cycle is more important than the feeling your ego gets from what you produce.

Don’t be so focused on proving that you’re right that you lose sight of what is actually right.

When you Zoom In

Your zoomed in perspective has blind spots. Zooming in feels really good, but it leaves a lot of important details out of the picture when it comes to making decisions. Zooming in is great for appreciating the little things, staying in your comfort zone, and validating your experience. However, zooming in leaves serious blind spots and we can’t always live our life fully zoomed in. Some people do, and they’re called narcissists.

When you Zoom Out

Your zoomed out perspective takes courage. Zooming out shows you that there is more to the story of how the world works. This can actually wound your self image because you learn that sometimes you are wrong and someone else is right. How quickly can you recover from learning new information? Does being told “no” shatter your universe, or are you able to recover quickly from rejection?

Pause and notice your behavior. Are you zoomed in or zoomed out? Are you a master of your emotions or are you their slave?

Masters have a different standard for themselves because they embody emotional elegance and physical grace. Instead of being reactionary, they calmly bring their awareness inward.

How do you become more elegant? How do you become more graceful?

Engage in thoughtful activities

Elegance: Be thoughtful in your self awareness

Grace: Be thoughtful about your bodily posture, how you hold yourself, how you move through space, how you handle objects, drive your car, and touch other people.

Speak clearly and confidently from your soul. All of these things require an element of silence. Stop fidgeting. Express yourself in a calm manner. Witness what’s happening and then raise the bar where you can. Quiet down so that you can listen to the most important voice.

The Most Important Voice

Voicing your opinion is the easy part. Anyone can have an opinion. However, how many people hold themselves to the standard of their opinions? Who is doing the work to actually endorse and access the benefits of their beliefs? The Masters! Take the steps to spiral out of the low, stagnant energy that you have been stuck in, zoom in to figure out who you are, zoom out to see the bigger picture, and let the most important voice help you decide what’s next.

-Mae