Confidence Isn't a Trait, It's a Practice

Mark introduces the topic of confidence.  Self-confidence The topic originated with Jim's interest in elitism - entitlement - self-accountability - confidence In order to be self accountable, one must be confident Jim ties in the current news events and his recent book as he frames his view of confidence. Particularly sports and business He distinguishes between confidence and the competence required to be confident Jim brings up academia. See civically Harvard…and entitlements/elitism He shares the academic idea that perfection is attainable. We both support the reality of imperfection Mark observes that confidence can be under done and over done He shares his vision of where confidence comes from. Genetic and environment. Confidence starts to develop early Jim thinks it's all relative. People have very different perspectives on these issues of elitism and confidence Jim shares his trade background and how educated people looked down on him and made him feel less than. Jim thinks the more "educated" you are, the less wisdom you have Mark distinguishes between knowledge and wisdom. He shares his upbringing close to the Boston Ivy League and his disdain for this specific elitism Mark thinks the family is huge in it's role of confidence building Jim moves into sports  He agrees about the family influence. Jim thinks sports really emphasizes and exaggerates the importance and influence of confidence. Jim brings up the example of Eli Manning who is referenced in this book as to his mental blocks before winning They joke about the Giants-Patriots games and Tom Brady comes up as the consummate mind-body guy Mark connects all the life areas in the wheel and shares his experience when one area is operating at his peak…how the other areas benefit Mark shares his thoughts about momentum and how contgious confidence can become Marks ask about ignorance and brings up Mike Tyson as an example of this Jim references his book again and shares the idea of a mental bank where confidence can be pulled from or deposited into. Managing the highs and lows by ignoring, forgetting and living in the moment Mark thinks confident people look at failure as an opportunity to learn Expectation management is required to keep the lows land highs regulated Jim talks about how some recent wins got him a little high and he's keeping an eye on being let down Mark recalls feeling very confident and what a great feeling it is. But, he cautions that when you get that feeling, you have two choices:  I deserve this…or I'm grateful for this…and that's a Big difference. Mark says gratitude creates a "landslide" of more confidence. Now Jim moves to the next topic from his book…the personal narrative. How the brain can produce adrenaline like a performance enhancing drug Mark shares his daughter's experience with anxiety and fear and her overcoming the fear by facing it head on…and your confidence can return. Jim says you can reframe your fear Mark shares his story about nerves during his 12 year old Little League Allstar game. How his dad talked him down and taught him how to channel nerves Jim brings up the next topic of filters and the power of reframing your focus toward success versus failures Mark brings up his "worst case scenario" strategy. If the worst case is a loss…so what. He then shares the value of either ignoring others or paying no attention to the criticisms of others. The mental filters Persistency and patience are two other qualities Jim brings up in the context of his patents and recent successes Another point is how little we have control over as we're trying to accomplish something. Jim also appreciates how you can view the world as happening to you or for you Mark shares his daughter's journey to business success…and frames it over the persistence required over 20 years Then he talks about her generous reference to him as the force that kept her going when she wanted to quit Then Jim asks Mark to recount the time his daughter almost lost her business some years ago to a cease and desist order Jim believes the Government position to shut her down was just another form of elitism. Both guys think the food and drug departments in government are being fully exposed now Elitism - entitlement - self accountability - self confidence