Improve your self-confidence using neuroscience and technology
By Jenna Cookson
Let’s say you have an amazing business idea, one that could give you autonomy over how you spend your time and money, and allow you the life you dream of. But there is a barrier, you feel you don’t have the confidence to make it happen.
- The Self-Confidence Conundrum
- The Relevance of Neuroplasticity
- Coding: Your Safe Space for Growth
- Embracing Failure as a Friend
- The Ripple Effect of Self-Confidence
- Conclusion: Your Path to Self-Confidence
Hey there friend, I want to talk about self-confidence – that magical ingredient that makes life’s challenges feel like exciting adventures rather than daunting obstacles. Self-confidence sets you free. Free from being weighed down by indecision, people pleasing, fear of failure and perfectionism. Improving self-confidence is not as hard as it is made out to be. Sayings like “face your fears” or “the best way out this always through” can lead us to believe we have to struggle, that we have to do hard things to build confidence. While this advice is motivating for some, what about the rest of us?Those of us who understand the idea conceptually, but struggle with consistency, or fear prevents us from taking steps towards our goals. Well, guess what? You don’t need to take a giant leap of faith to gain the self-confidence you have always wanted. Instead, let’s take it one step at a time, shall we? Using neuroscience and technology, I am going to show you how improving confidence can be fun! Simultaneously, how we can highjack the skill of learning to code, as our vehicle to improve self-confidence.
Confidence is not fixed, we can use principles of neuroplasticity to our advantage and focus in on building confidence.
The Self-Confidence Conundrum
We live in a world where confidence is often portrayed as this elusive quality that some people are born with, and others aren’t. However, here’s the secret: confidence is not a fixed trait; it’s a skill that can be developed and honed over time. In fact, the key lies in approaching it gradually, like adding pieces to a puzzle until the picture becomes clear. It’s all through the power of our brains ability to adapt and change throughout our lifetime, termed neuroplasticity. Hence, confidence is not fixed, we can use principles of neuroplasticity to our advantage and focus in on building confidence. Contrary to conventional beliefs, neuroplasticity is not limited to childhood; adults too can harness its power to effect change. However, after the age of 25, the ways in which neuroplasticity occurs is different. We have to approach it differently.
Think of your brain as a garden
To put it another way, think of your brain as a garden. When we were kids, a single experience could plant a seed in our minds, and it would grow into a tree without much effort. But as adults, our brains are more like delicate flowers. You can’t just throw a seed on the ground and expect it to bloom into a beautiful flower. That is to say, it needs the right soil, water, and care.
Similarly, in our adult lives, learning and changing our habits requires more attention and purpose. Just hearing or doing something once won’t make a lasting impact. It’s like planting that seed in the garden. It needs your focus, patience, and intention to grow into something meaningful.
Consider, if we are tossed into the deep end of a swimming pool. Sure, you might survive, but there’s more to becoming a skilled swimmer than surviving. Similarly, self-confidence works the same way. We can’t just throw ourselves into challenging situations and hope for the best. We need to approach it with mindfulness, just like tending to a growing plant. With the right care and attention, we can nurture our self-confidence, giving it the space it needs to flourish, bringing more freedom into our lives.
If you are interested in learning more about neuroplasticity as an adult, I recommend you tune into this podcast: How to Focus to Change Your Brain – Huberman Lab
The Relevance of Neuroplasticity
So, let’s say you have an amazing business idea, one that could give you autonomy over how you spend your time and money, and allow you the life you dream of. But there is a barrier, you feel you don’t have the confidence to make it happen. Let’s say you listen to podcasts, read books, watch videos to absorb as much of the information as you can. You undoubtedly understand the principles and importance of developing these skills, yet you still feel stuck or fearful when it comes to taking the big steps towards achieving your goals.
In essence, when we consider that neuroplasticity occurs differently in adults than it does in children, it makes sense that hearing or reading self-confidence advice alone, won’t get us where we need to be. Being in business needs a growth mindset (for more about this, this is a great read). Imagine reprogramming the way you think, to have a growth mindset be automatic, no extra thought required. How good would it be to be able to respond to challenges positively, without needing to think about how you should respond. What’s more, because your perception of challenge would have changed, your natural fear responses wont kick in. You can approach challenges with a clear head and less stress or anxiety.
Coding: Your Safe Space for Growth
Now that we understand what it takes to improve self-confidence, enter, coding. Coding is not just about creating software; it’s a mindset, a way of thinking. What makes coding so incredible for building confidence is the safe space it provides. In the world of coding, mistakes aren’t failures; they are opportunities to learn and grow. It’s a space where you can experiment, fail, and try again without judgment. Think of it as your personal playground for building resilience and embracing challenges. Furthermore, these skills aren’t only limited to your coding world, through neuroplasticity, they become your brains new way of thinking. Once you build the foundation, it becomes automatic, no extra work required. Ultimately, you can reprogram the way you think and respond to challenges, and reprogramme your confidence.
In the world of coding, mistakes aren’t failures; they are opportunities to learn and grow. It’s a space where you can experiment, fail, and try again without judgment. Think of it as your personal playground for building resilience and embracing challenges.
The Ripple Effect of Self-Confidence
Above all, as you navigate the coding world, facing challenges and overcoming hurdles, something amazing happens – your confidence grows. But here’s the best part: this newfound confidence doesn’t stay confined to the realm of coding. It seeps into other areas of your life. You find yourself tackling everyday challenges with a newfound sense of assurance. It’s like a ripple effect, spreading positivity and self-belief wherever you go.
Embracing Failure as a Friend
Similar to above, one of the most liberating aspects of learning to code is the acceptance of failure as a natural part of the process. In coding, errors are like signposts guiding you towards the right solution. Embracing failure in this way helps you develop a healthy relationship with setbacks. You learn not to fear them but to see them as stepping stones toward success. How good would it be, if this is how you saw failure in your real life?
Conclusion
In conclusion, dear reader, as you embark on your journey to improving your self-confidence, remember this: confidence is not a mountain to climb; it’s a path to walk, one step at a time. Use coding as your trusty companion, your safe space to practice, fail, and learn. Embrace the process, celebrate your victories, and be kind to yourself when things don’t go as planned.
With each small step, you’re not just learning to code; you’re gaining the freedom that comes from self-confidence – the kind of freedom that lets you explore the world, face challenges head-on, and live life to the fullest.