Find summary, how to use, related quotes, and image of quote -The best way to develop confidence is to do the thing you fear.
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Meaning
Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for action; it’s the product of it. You build it by directly confronting what scares you, not by waiting for the fear to disappear.
Explanation
People think confidence is this magical thing you’re born with or something you get from a motivational video. It’s not. It’s a feedback loop. Every time you avoid the thing you fear, you teach your brain that it is a threat. But when you step into that discomfort, speak up in the meeting, or start that project you’re intimidated by, Your brain learns, “Oh. I survived. It wasn’t that bad. Maybe I can do this.” That tiny victory, is a brick in the foundation of your confidence. Do it again, and you add another brick. Before you know it, you would have built a fortress of confidence.
Summary
| Category | Success (16) |
|---|---|
| Topics | confidence (19), courage (17), fear (13), growth (35) |
| Style | clear (39), motivational (23) |
| Mood | encouraging (27), inspiring (42) |
Origin & Factcheck
In the book, this idea is covered in A Shortcut to Distinction by Lowell Thomas. The correct attribution to this quote is William Jennings Bryan even though it appears in the book’s text.
| Author | Dale Carnegie (164) |
|---|---|
| Book | How to Win Friends and Influence People (43) |
About the Author
Dale Carnegie, an American writer received worldwide recognition for his influential books on relationship, leadership, and public speaking. Among his timeless classics, the Dale Carnegie book list includes How to Win Friends and Influence People is the most influential which inspires millions even today.
Official Website
Quotation Source:
| The best way to develop confidence is to do the thing you fear |
| Publication Year: 1936, Revised 1981, ISBN: 9780671723651, 280 pages |
| Appendix: Practical Applications of Confidence, Approximate page from 1998 edition |
Context
World famous orator William Jennings Bryan at the height of his career. He claimed that almost any person can speak acceptably in public if he or she has self-confidence and an idea that is boiling and stewing within.
The way to develop self-confidence, he said, is to do the thing you fear to do and get a record of successful experiences behind you.
Usage Examples
- For the new manager: Terrified of giving feedback? Just schedule 10-minute one-on-one with a direct report and give them one piece of positive reinforcement.
- For the shy networker: Dread walking into a room? Your goal isn’t to work with all audiences in room. It’s to introduce yourself to one person. Just one. That’s the action that builds the confidence.
To whom it appeals?
| Audience | entrepreneurs (199), leaders (280), Merged Term Name (14), students (412) |
|---|---|
This quote can be used in following contexts: motivational talks,self-help programs,career development,personal growth workshops,leadership speeches
Common Questions
Question: But what if I fail? Won’t that destroy my confidence?
Answer: This is the biggest misconception. Failure, is just another event. It’s not a verdict on your worth. You tried the thing, you got a result, and now you know what to adjust for next time. The act of trying and learning, is what builds resilience.
Question: Do I have to start with the biggest, scariest thing?
Answer: Absolutely not. In fact, That’s a recipe for disaster and it will bring down your confidence. This is about progressive overload, just like in the gym. Start with the smallest version of the fearful thing you can imagine. The one-minute or low-stake version. Success in small things fuels the courage to go for bigger things.
Question: What if the fear doesn’t go away?
Answer: It often doesn’t completely. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t to become fearless. The goal is to build the confidence to act in spite of the fear. Let the fear be in the passenger seat, but you’re the one driving the car.