Everyday

This week I met with my mentor, Drew Tablott for the first time since I began this project. I talked to him about what this project is all about and how I plan on gaining more confidence thought this project. I talked to him about different ideas on how to achieve this and he gave me one simple task to follow. Eye contact. He told me once I am able to make eye contact with others the rest will come easily. He said just a smile and eye contact will help me feel more open with others. When he said this I thought it would be really easy to do but to be honest it is so hard. He gave me the task of just make eye contact and smile at every person that I went on mission trip with this spring break in the hallway this week. So far out of the 30 some kids, I have only done this to about 3. And yes one was my sister. I just don't understand why it is so hard for me to preform such a simple task. I hope this week I am able to make more of a dent and try to communicate more with people. I think that by being able to do such a simple thing it will boost my confidence and help me become a stronger person! 

Now or Never

  Sooo,  to be 100% honest, I really haven't been making as much progress as I would like on this project. I seem to be stuck. Some days I feel so confident in myself but then the next it is low. The thing is I don't really know why I struggle with confidence and what makes me so shy. I want to figure out the root of my problem but really I have absolutely no clue how to do that.  I want to be able to go up and talk to people when ever I want without rehearsing conversations in my head or be able to be more free spirited and just go with the flow.
 One thing that I think could be pretty easy to work on that involves my lack of confidence is decision making. When it comes to making decisions, even the smallest ones, I am very indecisive. I have been told this by many people that it is almost annoying how indecisive I am. So this week I am going to try to be more confident in my decisions and stick to them. I think by doing this it may boost my confidence a little, which will inspire me to try bigger things in the future!
   I knew when I chose this topic it would be a big challenge to me and I am right. I know that this 20 Time project may not be able to fix this issue but I hope that, if I really try it can impact my life in a positive way!

The Start of Something New

   So apparently there are 4 steps in being more confident in yourself, so this next week I am going to try and follow these steps and see how the work out for me and report back next week my results! Here are the steps:

 

Step 1: Identify troubling conditions or situations

This means I need to find places that make me feel less comfortable, such as school and large groups.

Step 2: Become aware of thoughts and beliefs

Next I need to think about what I think about I think about when I am put in these situations. What makes me feel uncomfortable in these situations and why do I feel less confident in myself? 

Step 3: Challenge negative or inaccurate thinking

Then I need to challenge myself to figure out how to stop making myself feel inadequate and figure out why I try to make myself feel this way.   

Step 4: Adjust your thoughts and beliefs

Lastly, I need to find ways to change my thoughts and feelings about situations and help make myself feel more positive in them! Some ways to do this is by using hopeful thoughts, forgiveness, thinking positive and encouragement! 

I am excited to see how this works out for me and I hope to have positive results to report back next week! 

All of these ideas were found using the website:  http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/adult-health/in-depth/self-esteem/art-20045374?pg=2