The Confidence Booster Newsletter - June 2007

This issue of the Confidence Booster Workout Newsletter focuses on the theme of change. This is a simple story of someone who was moved to do something they felt strongly about. Not as a leader, but as someone who could no longer stand by and watch.This is dedicated to those of you who feel the winds of change, want to act, yet the shadows of doubts and uncertainty still linger.

Remember - The world will be different, when those who can make a difference, make a difference.

The Essence Of Scotland Story

Mary was born and raised in Scotland. She had a passion about her country. It's people. Their values. The traditions. The way of life.

Over time she began to see that some of these core values were being lost. The sense of community was changing. You no longer knew your neighbours. People seemed permanently exhausted from work. The neighbourhoods weren't as safe as they were. The nature of her beloved country was changing.

She was bothered by all of this. Bothered and restless.She couldn't just stand by and do nothing. She also couldn't wait for someone else to do something. When she spoke to others they too felt the changes. Felt the decline. They did so however with an attitude of resignation.That nothing could be done about it. That that's the way it is. Or someone else will do something about it. Someone in authority.

This meant that she had to act on her sense of concern.She felt compelled to do something.

After a lot of thought, she decided to organise a concert. A concert that aimed to capture the spirit of Scotland. A concert featuring music that had deep roots in Scotland. It was her attempt of keeping the spirit of Scotland alive.

She had never done anything like this before. She was not a concert organiser.She was an office clerk. She was also not a supremely confident person. Yet because she was strongly moved to do something, she knew she would find a way to do it.

The motive for the concert was to make a stand for all that is right and special about Scotland. For those core values to be kept alive.For the flame to be kept lit.

She ran up against significant obstacles. People said she shouldn't proceed, It would never work. Nobody would attend. She would lose money. You have no experience they said. No expertise. Leave it to the experts.

When this resistance came up she didn't react to it. This surprised her. She imagined that doubts would set in. Yet, she held on to what she believed in. She never lost conviction.The nagging feeling never went away.

She went out and organised and promoted the concert diligently. Yet tickets sales very very slow. I told you so, the doubters crowed. Even on the night of the concert it looked as if it wouldn't work. Ten minutes to show-time and the theatre was empty. Then, miracolously, at five minutes to eight, the crowds started to come into the theatre. By showtime all the seats were filled.

The concert was scheduled to run for two hours. It eventually finished four hours later. The crowd didn't want it to end. They soaked it up. They were hungry to reconnect to the spirit of Scot. Mary's instinct was correct.

When the show ended, many were effusive in their praise. The best show I have ever been to was a popular comment. Please do this again some said.
 
So, as a result of this experience, Mary had learnt to trust herself. To trust her instinct. This takes courage. The courage to back yourself despite what others may say or think. How do they know how it is for you? How do they know what you are feeling?

The Summary...

Change or breakthroughs doesn't always happen through perceived leaders. If fact it rarely does. Ego prevents that. A person who carries the seeds of change may emerge out of the shadows. They may not be known by others as a leader. They might not think of themselves as a leader. But what if they are? Not a leader in the 'making a speech to hundreds of people' sense. Not a leader in the'being in charge of others' sense. No. A leader of oneself. Of what you believe in. Of what you stand for. Of what you deeply feel.

 Remember - Just because they are in authority, does not mean that they have authority.

Thanks for reading this far down. Please write to me at martin@theatreofwork.com with any questions or comments. See you next time. Martin

Martin Perry is the Confidence Coach and the author of the popular self-help book The Confidence Booster Workout. His coaching is designed to liberate natural confidence.

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