Stop Trying to Be Confident
Mark Manson argues that confidence is a byproduct of courage, not a prerequisite for it, and explains how to stop chasing the feeling and start building the real thing.
The gist
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Manson says confidence is a side effect of repeated courageous action, not something you build before taking risks.
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Bill Russell vomited before every game yet was the most winning athlete in US sports history, showing confidence is not required to perform.
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Courage requires three things: a deliberate choice, real risk, and a goal that matters to you.
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Facing what you fear repeatedly, like in exposure therapy, violates your worst-case expectations and builds confidence that carries across areas of life.
Mark, Andrew and Riley agree on 7 things
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17:27
Exposure Therapy
· "Exposure therapy is actually one of the most effective therapies for all sorts of different anxiety..."
20:09
Negative visualization
· "There's a related Stoic practice here, too, called negative visualization. Which is imagine the worst-case..."
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