“Redefining Parts, Staying Curious.”

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance in your life. It is a slow burn or a steady yet passive thing that creeps up one day and it only stays for a short amount of time. To act boldy means that you act in confidence. To be humble about your boldness, well that comes after some practice, dedication, self-awareness, emotional attunement and empathy. Sometimes confidence builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day through breakups, difficult conversations with friends/ family members, or even a partner. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Every time you reinforce the believe that you are capable, you are building courage in the face of adversity. An act of courage redefines the self-doubt. Hardly ever do we find that trusting ourselves means going against ourselves and a little amount of people decide to divulge into that topic. Confidence isn’t talked about, it’s something that we “ought to know by now.” You don’t have to know really anything at all in this world besides getting your basic human needs met. Building trust in yourself is about having minimal answers — AND empowering yourself to figure out those answers. This builds self-efficacy.

The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have and where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. I want to encourage you to take small actionable steps toward your larger goals and smaller goals. Through building smart goals, you have the power to choose what you want to accomplish through specific, measurable, action, realistic while using a time friendly approach. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly and not linearly. All that is required is daily check in’s with a journal or cellphone notepad. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to an accomplishment.

You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know today. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming. I personally call it, “the fascination with exploring parts of yourself that want attention.”

-Taylor Clarke