Julie Lendon Stone: Blog

IS CHILDLIKE SELF-CONFIDENCE THE NUCLEUS OF SUCCESS?

Is it possible that a most essential ingredient for success may not stem from knowledge and experience, but rather from a particular type of ignorance: reckless, childish SELF-CONFIDENCE?

We were born with incredible self-confidence. In fact, as children we didn’t know there was anything we couldn’t do. During the very first year of life, we faced and conquered tremendous challenges: new foods, first steps, new acquaintances, and a multitude of scary new experiences, with danger and interference lurking at every turn. It probably wasn’t easy, and most likely we got a variety of “boo-boos” in the process. Sometimes, we received limited outside encouragement in the form or "over protection." But none of those things could stop us from moving forward.

As the years progressed - as we pushed on through trials, errors, triumphs and failures, our childish self-confidence may have waned, but we matured, and acquired common sense, intelligence and social behavioral patterns. We may even have dedicated money and time to polish our own unique talents. But are these qualities and accomplishments alone a guarantee of success? If not, can we - should we revive that all-important motivator - stubborn SELF-CONFIDENCE?

(Please leave your comments below)
Julie Lendon Stone

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October 25, 2011

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HJSWritergal

January 31, 2010

Well said Julie! Self-confidence is a must to success, for if we do not believe in ourselves and exude such feelings who will then believe in us?

Of course this is not the only component of success but it is however, I think one of the major cornerstones required.

carol

January 29, 2010

Intellegence/Self-confidence

Avis Ward

January 29, 2010

I like the analogy of child-like confidence to ignorance because that's precisely what I feel it's like at a young age. I attribute everything good to God. We did not know it was God who gave us the feeling we could do anything as children, no matter how reckless and dangerous. Because of this belief, I am not comfortable saying self-confidence because it is my confidence in God, not myself. We lose our child-like views by thinking it's immaturity when we view the world as a child. Intelligence tells us otherwise and we allow our intellect to remove innocence. We want to be socially and politically correct. Confidence is shaken which in my opinion means, God is no longer prominent in our lives. We would wish to please Him as a child does a father. That's intelligence!

Thank you for a wonderful topic to discuss and being included, Julie.

Your friend,
Evangelic_Diva @Twitter :)

Robert Zurel

January 29, 2010

Self confidence is a must. It's a trust in oneselfes skills. Who lacks the ability to confide in oneself is unable to confide in others.

Dr. Joyce Knudsen

January 26, 2010

Intelligence only means you can learn something and like in school, you could feed it back into an exam! Confidence, on the other hand, will give you abilities far beyond what IQ can do. Confidence and self-esteem are what's important in life in order to succceed:)

Cindy Piazza-Ivy

January 26, 2010

This is a great question! I believe that we all have abilities given to us by God. It has been my unfortunate observation that many parents seem to strive to "perfect" one or more of his or her child's gifts, disregarding the other gifts that may seem less important. Although a gift such as playing the piano or being able to make top honors in school is a worthy achievement to pursue in a child’s environment, there are other less obvious gifts that all too often go unappreciated… If a child knows how to perform in front of a crowd, but does not have the simple knowledge that he or she is loved, then where is the confidence ultimately? In this way, a child or a person may have success in his or her abilities, which is indeed a building block for confidence, however it suggests to me that any deeper kind of confidence may be lacking. On the other hand, I’ve witnessed children who are not given any incentive to pursue his or her abilities or gifts, but who had unconditional love, and who had all the confidence in the world! So, from my experience, I see that there is more than one type or level of confidence, and success is something that each individual sees as success. However, in my own opinion, the most important success in life is to know how to love others unconditionally so that they may find the confidence in their own lives, and to ultimately go on to become successful in whatever way their inner confidence, gifts from God, and love leads….

Penny Lou Piazza

January 26, 2010

When I was a young girl, I asked my mother..."Who am I anyway?"....She said "You are all that you aspire to be"! I pray, that I will continue to aspire to be the "Best human being that I can be". This brings Love & confidence into my life. With this comes both confidence & the ability to allow ourselves to be innocent & at times ignorant.

Maria

January 26, 2010

Intelligence may be the base, but confidence is the catalyst. Without confidence, we fail to use any available intelligence to take risks and challenge pre-conceived notions of right and wrong. There are people everywhere who may fall behind others in intelligence, but they live active, challenging lives because of innate confidence.

Clare Kelway

January 26, 2010

I have a two year old, and he is such a joy to watch! No confidence issues there! Deepak Chopra always reminds us that if we retain our child-like sense of wonder, we will have an incredible life! Thanks for sharing a great post.

Liz

January 26, 2010

I think both are amazing blessings and if used properly in a collaborative and positive life, they can lead to immense joy and abundance.

That said, if I had to choose one over the other I'd go with confidence. I can always hire intelligence ;)

Thanks for inviting me to comment and thanks to all who took the time to share. Very illuminating.

Gina

January 26, 2010

Awesome question, neither is important, one can be outwitted & the other can be shot down, Faith in Christ is the way 2go, it gets me by :-)

Michael Pokocky

January 25, 2010

Confidence is certainly something we have control over. While intelligence is the ability to come up with an inspired original idea. Einstein although intelligent would he have been discovered after submitting his five papers to the university. Imagine their shock when they found out he was a clerk. Imagine the barriers to entry into the "club" of university, most likely a difficult thing to gain entry to let alone gain their ear. But his ability to come up with an original idea based on deconstruction of the timeless Newtonian Laws that were acceptable during the day, was not what made him famous; confidence was because they certainly must have called him in to prove his theories. That meant having the confidence that he was right over powered all fear and doubt. Truly remarkable story don't you think?

Mary McManus

January 25, 2010

Thanks for directing me to this post. It is amazing synchronicity. I was just reflecting on how I still wrestle with feelings of not being good enough which stem from being a polio survivor. Although I overcame tremendous challenges throughout my early childhood and adolescence, it was a pushing and a striving. As I grow in Spirit I realize that my self worth is inherent and self love flows from the realization that I am a child of God. I love that feeling of childhood self confidence which I see through the eyes of a six year old daughter of one of my friends. When we all live with reckless abandon secure in knowing who we are, then love and joy and ultimately success follow.

Vocalyz

January 25, 2010

Interesting question I come from an educated family My mom was valedictorian brother magna cum laude etc We were expected to do our best You can't do better than your best but you can always strive to do better.Always open to learning knowledge is power Today in school is different. Children are given participation awards&excellence;&elitism;is shunned. Challenge is not as important these days. To be confident one must do their best. so to answer the question I believe both and to strive to be the best you can be & always open to new challenges & striving to achieve . Ultimately I think the direction our schools is taking is offbase. By discouraging excellence it stifles the drive to achieve high standards
Poor or mediocre efforts shouldn't be rewarded. Common Sense tells us that challenges make us stronger as human beings

Sue Birkam

January 25, 2010

I agree with confidence as being one of the driving forces behind success. But if you peel one or two layers back from self confidence, you might also include looking at self worth and self love. When we feel deserving of success we attract it. If we lack self confidence it would be helpful to uncover the source of that lack. Great post and topic.