The Evolution of Confidence
I’ve learned more about myself in the last 6 months than I think I have in the previous 6 years.
There is no denying that since I began publishing at Location 180 I’ve acquired a ton of new skills that I didn’t previously have. There are the technical skills such as basic html, WordPress and a bunch of SEO knowledge which have transferred great to the business side of my life. Along with that I’ve greatly improved my writing and general communication skills.
However it’s the less tangible feelings that I think will stick with me most. The feeling of moving to a foreign country with no set plans for the future. Knowing what it’s like to make your first big sale in a growing business. Understanding that for as great as everything else is, it’s impossible not to miss your family and friends. Those are the feelings that really stick with me through this experience.
Yet along with all of those other intangibles, there is one thing that has had a profound impact on me as of late.
Confidence.
I mean just look at the articles I was writing a year ago: What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do, The Benefits of Day Dreaming etc. Talk about a lack of confidence. I was so unsure of how to approach my future that I struggled to find happiness in other aspects of my life. Even the things that were great, weren’t so great because I had this fundamental shift that needed to be made in my life, but didn’t know how.
Well times sure have changed. Now I’m writing about how “You Aren’t Cut Out to Be a Location Independent Entrepreneur“. No longer am I searching for what is important and meaningful in my life, as I know what it is. I know exactly the kind of lifestyle that I want to live, except this time I know how to do it. That is where I think the new found confidence has come from. By taking the time to really analyze my life, and make the necessary changes to put myself on the right path, I’ve found direction. As soon as you know where you are going it’s easy to do it with authority because you believe in what you are doing. 
If you had told me a year ago I’d be writing a book on how to overcome uncertainty, I would have laughed in your face, as I had more uncertainty than anyone. I suppose that’s what makes me qualified to do it now. If I can do it anyone can.
I’ve found that the more confident I become, the greater the benefits I see in all aspects of my life. I get what I want more often because I’m not afraid to ask for it. People tend to listen to what I have to say because I’m not afraid to speak with authority.
And for as great as all of that is, the most important benefit I’ve realized is that I’m happier. I feel bad for all of the people back home who were around me last year, when I was totally clueless. Well guess what guys, no more of that!
Sure there are still times of indecisiveness and it isn’t always easy to tell if every decision you make is the right one, but by having a confident mindset and knowing your long term goals, the little things tend to not to be as intimidating as they once were.
Having a solid direction in life, along with the confidence to go after it may not guarantee success, but it certainly puts you way ahead of the game.
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This is the best part of subscribing to your blog. Watching your transformation and seeing the change happen over time.
Great to see your confidence is rising. And rightfully so, your actions back up your words.
Enjoy@
When you are confident you are willing to take certain risks, you do what you believe is right for you even when others say you are crazy and you are capable of admitting your mistakes and learning from them. These are all qualities that you have shown over the past 6 months.
It’s been encouraging for me watching your transition especially as I move forward with my own adventures. You found that solid direction in your life and that is awesome!
I think that’s one of the coolest things about writing. You can see a history of where you’re coming from & where you’re going…
Your personal growth has definitely become more evident as you have spread your wings and soared into the unknown.
It has been fun on this blogging ride with ya. Glad to see success coming from what others may have seen as an all out collapse when you lost your “job”.
Congrats…I am looking forward to your ebook.
David Damron
I’m pumped to learn more about this book you’re writing on overcoming uncertainty.
It’s been a blast watching you learn and grow, Sean. For anyone new to Location 180, start digging through the archives. The transformation is pretty incredible.
‘punk, grown old, grown wiser, grown eloquent’
Your writing on your experience and everything posted here is an encouragement since following your blog. Keep it up and may you achieve even greater heights of success!
Sean
I loved reading your post, I really felt the confidence shine through. I only met you recently but I am so impressed with what you are doing. Keep teaching and entertaining us.
Sean, the first time I talked to you I thought you were a super confident guy, but its been killer to see how strong your message has become here. I’m looking forward to the book as well. Also, since you haven’t yet bought a cell phone, I’ll translate this comment in to Taglish-txt language because I feel like I’m shorting you on cultural experiences. Here goes:
sean…hi Dan frum tmba, ur gud wblogs, itxtd it frm my fone here in ortigas, gud to hav u here! mabuhay!
Good job Sean. What’s cool is, you are not only helping yourself, but you are helping others too. I can’t say my confidence has grown in leaps and bounds since encouraging me to start my blog a couple of weeks ago, but I’ve grown personally by attempting to write more and certainly by reading others’ blogs. Thanks for your help.
)
There’s also that fine line between confidence and cockiness. Confidence is quiet…it tends to sneak up on us and most often when we are trying to do other things. You didn’t set out to build confidence, and that’s probably what brought you most of it.
And fortunately you haven’t become cocky about it. Gloating about your location independence, telling everyone they are foolish for working, etc etc. Not only do you paint the realities, you are CONFIDENT enough in yourself and your business to know that you can celebrate the successes and failures and people will still respect you.
[...] and One Very Dingy City“, but the piece I want to highlight is his last post on “The Evolution of Confidence“. He talks about how his confidence has grown over the past year of writing, out in Bangkok. [...]
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