
Last week we squeezed the oranges; made the most out of your mistakes and errors and letting go of them. You’ve been introduced to Growth Mindset . . . now it’s time to build your confidence and deliver great outcomes.
The biggest thing we can do is to try and rebuild our confidence. When your confidence is down (like it probably is now), you can have a tendency to compound your errors. So, before we get to the specifics of your mistakes, let’s talk confidence.
Who’s knocking your confidence? You? Your perception of others? A voice telling you others think less of you?
“You probably wouldn’t worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do.” Olin Miller
Listen to the ones that matter and frame their feedback with a growth mindset paradigm. Siphon the unhealthy comments and throw them in the bin. Build healthy, positive people around you as you work to change your mindset.
So, how can I recentre? Let me take you to the movie ‘50 First Dates’ first. Adam Sandler found himself in love with a woman (Lucy) with amnesia. As Wikipedia summarises, “When he discovers she has amnesia, and forgets him when she falls asleep, he resolves to win her over again each new day”. Of the strategies employed by Sandler’s character was to show Lucy a video (created by her friends) each morning to let her know the truth about her memory and explain her situation. This helped to recentre Lucy (and for Sandler’s character, forward the relationship). You need a strategy like this to battle your strong minds and reduce the stinking thinking that holds us back.

It’s time to start collecting self-talk and quotes to recentre you, away from stinking thinking and toward a healthy self-confidence.
“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” Norman Vincent Peale
With realization of ones own potential and self-confidence in ones ability, one can build a better world. Dalai Lama
With realization of ones own potential and self-confidence in ones ability, one can build a better world. Dalai Lama
Can i encourage you to find quotes and sayings like these that speak positively to you and write them on a card that you can carry daily. It might be some good memes. In times of stinking thinking, reach for your cards and recentre your mindset. Continue to become a student of growth mindset and, as mentioned, gather people around you who are positive and will speak growth into your life. Keep in mind that your mind is strong. If only it was so simple as squeezing oranges – that’s why you need a pocket sheet to keep the stinking thinking out and the recentring in.
What’s a pocket sheet: A sheet that’s small enough that it can fit in your pocket. On it you have a list of the sayings and quotes that will help that recentering of your mind. On those days when you feel weak and the stinking thinking is raging, reach for the pocket sheet and listen to your voice in the sheet.
When your confidence is low, reach for your pocket sheet.
When your are drowning in your to do list, reach for your pocket sheet.
When your attempts to innovate have been rubbished, reach for your pocket sheet.
When your client complains, reach for your pocket sheet.
When you’re feeling like you’re at the bottom, reach for your pocket sheet.

Now i get it, some of you don’t have pockets, while others would rather have it on their phone. For me, a piece of paper folded in my pocket is something i will feel a few times in the day. At times when the stinking-thinking is raging, i am reminded of the pocket sheet and take a moment to read the affirmations therein. It recenters me. So, what works for you? You want to have something in your rhythm that forces you to bump into the tool during the day, that’s why a folded piece of paper in my pocket works for me. Perhaps it’s a reminder on your phone’s home screen. A particular bracelet you wear that takes your mind to a list of affirmations on your phone . . . you are creative, you’ll work out something.
Next week, your life caddy will provide a range of other strategies to shift you from those demoralizing feelings and build your confidence. But the pocket sheet is a key strategy that builds on a growth mindset, so take the week to implement this strategy and next week we’ll add to your toolbox.
Until then, as you develop your pocket sheet strategy, take solace that you are rising from the ashes of your mistakes and feelings that you are not good enough. Your situation may not have changed, but how you think about it is. The obstacles will start to seem manageable and a hero is emerging . . . you.
“A hero is someone who finds the strength to persevere and endure despite overwhelming obstacles” (like lack of respect and value).
And this is YOUR story.
Your life caddy
Your life caddy . . . when you need coaching, whether that’s life coaching, business coaching, entrepreneurial coaching or mentoring . . . to reset those attitudes, gain strategies with data driven approaches or build new habits and rhythms to give yourself that performance edge . . . Your life caddy is here for you. Subscribe now to keep up to date with weekly blogs, each one based on burning questions from professionals seeking help.