Confidence 101

There used to be a relatively little known saying that went something like, “When Jim picks up and a hammer and nail local building officials declare a disaster area before he takes the first swing.”

A knack for being a handyman around the house was not something I was good at.  Everything I tried seemed to end up looking terrible or not quite the way it was supposed to be, or in such a manner that even a good calking gun couldn’t save the day.  It was a sorry state of affairs.

Many years ago my church was conducting a cabin building mission effort at the Riverside Bible Camp north of Story City in central Iowa.  I volunteered, not so much because my construction expertise but  because maybe I could help in another way.  But what happened over those two summers was the novice at construction actually turned into someone who did not create a disaster on the first swing of the hammer.  It also instilled a level of confidence not available prior to the mission experience and a sense of being able to look at a situation and figure out a direction to take.  (Of course when I’m stymied I call on my youngest son Nick who is much more handyman savvy than his step dad) My confidence level is much higher these days when it come to the hammer and even a few other tools.

Confidence is “the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust:” (Oxford  Dictionary)

 I had confidence in my son to help when I would get stuck.  I contend we only have to practice doing something  in order to gain confidence.  If you are not too confident in the kitchen, start with simple recipes and master them.  Then go on to more complicated dishes.   If you lack confidence in public speaking, it will be bolstered the more you do it.  (Getting a few tips along the way from an accomplished public speaker won’t hurt.) 

I have confidence when I hire a professional in an area where I lack expertise.

I believe attaining a level of confidence will increase the more you work at the activity and it is  usually true for most activities.  

If for some other reason you find yourself still falling short, then there is nothing damaging to self-confidence if you call for reinforcements like a son, daughter, wife or a professional.