For the Win!

Building confidence in yourself can be a huge personal challenge. It's frustrating, demoralizing  and lot of other counterproductive feelings. Sometimes I'll get a student who does amazing scene work, but then look sheepish and defeated, as if he just disappointed everyone. I then point out all of the good things and remind him to "put it in the win column!"
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​Similarly, sometimes I lead a meeting or give a presentation and feel like it didn't go as I expected, even though colleagues are thanking me for a job well done. I say, “I’m glad that’s over,” but what I should be doing is acknowledging all of the positive feedback and saying, “That was a success!” You can’t really build up your confidence – to go from less sure of yourself to more sure of yourself – unless you recognize your successes when you have them.

In public speaking, you can think  “Gulp, everyone is looking at me!” 

​Or, you can think of your center seat at a table, the podium or where ever, as a place of power, of  knowledge and respect. After all, they want something from you. 

​To help reinforce this idea of "owning your space," in my workshops I use a picture of the Chinese dragon, Lung. Lung traditionally symbolizes power and fearlessness. I place it on the floor at the head of the room and ask people to “Step up to the dragon’s perch.” If you think of it as a place of courage and poise,  you will become more confident over time.

You’ll have a great meeting or presentation and put it in the win column!