Confidence

Talking with a friend the past couple of days has made me reflect on a few life experiences that have taught me (or tried to teach me) about having the appropriate amount of confidence.  Thanks to amazing parents who always made sure I was praised for everything I did, I grew up with a fair amount of self-confidence.  Sometimes I probably had too much, and sometimes I wish I'd had more.  Anyways, I wanted to share a few thoughts:

• When I was young (elementary school or pre-teen), my mom took me to visit a woman named Cami.  She was old when we visited her, but had been a model, and had lived her life in the Hollywood scene.  She told me about how important it was to stand up straight, etc., but one thing that I specifically remember about the conversation was about how she told me to accept compliments.  She said, "Always graciously accept a compliment and say 'Thank You'.  For example, if someone says that they like your shirt, don't say, 'Oh, this old thing?  I've had it for years.'  Just say 'Thank you!'".  I haven't done that perfectly, but I think that it's really great advice.
• My freshman year of college, I made the stupid decision to be the head for a hair stylist's final.  Never do that.  I was a bit naiive, but ultimately went into the salon with  hair long enough to donate to Locks of Love, and came out with a cut like Mandy Moore in 'How to Deal'.  I went home and bawled.  It was devastating, and I hated it.  I bawled more. and more. and more.  I talked to my mom a few times, and once I had calmed down she gave me a pep talk and said, "Pretend like this is exactly what you wanted. When people ask you if you like it, answer with an enthusiastic 'Yes'.  If you act like you like it, other people will like it too."  That advice saved my freshman year.  A few years later, one of my best friends found out that I actually didn't like the haircut which I had while we were in the dorms.  She said, "I never would have known!  I thought you wanted it like that!"  So, I guess it worked.  Thanks, mom, for teaching me about how powerful self-confidence is.
• Lastly, I used to work as an assistant at a finance firm.  It was a great job, but sometimes I felt maybe I could have done more.  Because of that feeling, when people asked what I did, I usually answered sheepishly and tried to defend my decision to work there with a quick, "But I'm taking classes to become an ultrasound technician."  I felt like that validated it.  Anyways, after one of our many moves, I met one of my best friends who is also an assistant at a finance firm (shout out--ER).  When I asked her what she did, she proudly said, "I'm an administrative assistant."  I asked a few follow-up questions like "How do you like it?" with a negative connotation.  She answered, "I LOVE my job."  I was so impressed.  I wanted to be just like her and tried from then on to answer questions about my job with confidence

So, more than you wanted to know, but thought I'd share a few experiences.  Happy New Year!