In the context of my circle of friends, I often hear women say, “I would love to do that, but I am just not confident that I can.” This sentiment can be expressed regarding something as challenging as starting a new business or as mundane as taking on a role in a school’s PTA council (which typically involves just a few hours a week of work).

But do these individuals lack smarts, skills, or knowledge?

Absolutely not. So why do they believe they are not capable of taking on these new opportunities?

Confidence is like a delicate flower that grows within us, enabling us to achieve our goals and overcome challenges. However, this flower can often be overshadowed by the weeds of self-doubt, leaving us feeling completely incapable of a task. Instead of exploring all the ways we can boost our confidence, I invite you to start with understanding what takes it away from us in the first place.

Identifying Confidence Robbers

Imagine walking through a lush garden filled with vibrant flowers. Suddenly, you notice a few weeds slowly choking the life out of the beautiful plants. Just as weeds hinder the growth of plants, certain habits, behaviors, and circumstances can diminish our confidence. I personally have a comprehensive list of such behaviors, such as self-doubt, comparison, generalization, and focusing on obstacles instead of solutions, to name a few…

One example, most likely experienced by many, is the act of constantly consuming negative news.

A study conducted by researchers at reputable universities highlighted that information overload, particularly from negative sources, can reduce brain power, leading to decreased confidence and overall well-being.

However, I do not need any research paper to confirm this fact. I live it daily.

I know that if I spend my mornings reading the headlines, following financial markets, and absorbing all the gloomy predictions, I will not feel inspired and energetic to pursue whatever is on my mind but outside of my comfort zone. Most likely, I will feel drained and depressed, I would want to stay exactly where I am.

What Happens to Me

Consuming negative news can contribute to a Cognitive Bias known as the “negativity bias.”

This bias refers to our brain’s tendency to focus more on negative information than positive information. The old adage of the press goes: “If it bleeds, it leads.” Media people are just doing their jobs – attracting an audience – but for us, it is a true test of our ability to discern. Exposure to an overwhelming amount of negative news can lead to heightened feelings of anxiety, stress, and even impact our decision-making abilities. Reading it daily stacks the negativity, leaving us completely hopeless, triggering negative emotions such as fear and anxiety.

Such Emotional Impact can contribute to a decrease in overall confidence and a sense of helplessness, as we may start to perceive the world as a more dangerous and challenging place.

“Who wants to start a business or something new in the midst of a recession with the highest inflation rates in history?”

A TV viewer

Consistently consuming negative news can also reinforce our Confirmation Bias, where people seek out information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs or fears. So, if a friend told you it’s not a good time to pursue a job change (even though you are clearly unhappy in your current position), you will find a lot of evidence for that in the information influx being fed to us by the media. This can lead to a skewed perception of reality, causing us to overestimate negative events and underestimate positive ones.

A constant stream of news can lead to Cognitive Overload. The brain has a limited capacity to process information, and when it’s bombarded with negative stimuli, it can lead to mental exhaustion, decreased focus, and reduced cognitive functioning. No energy, no focus, no desire to pursue anything — not exactly a formula for success, is it?

What Can Be Done

Just as the gardener tends to the garden, we too must tend to our minds. Recognizing the factors that sap our confidence is the first step to transformation. If – like me – you realize that reading the news is your confidence robber, consider limiting your exposure to negative stories or seeking out more balanced sources. Taking control of what you allow into your mental space can result in a tangible boost to your self-assurance.

It did not come easy to me. I absolutely could not resist “staying on top” of what is going on in the world. So when our willpower is not working, we must resort to making changes in our environment. For me, it meant deleting a bunch of apps on my phone and blocking some news channels from my social feed. Yes, this is equivalent to throwing away all the junk food from the house instead of giving yourself certain ground rules about reasonable amounts.

This may not be your ideal way.

“I need to know what is going on!”

Someone you know

This is a justifiable concern, of course.

But is staying informed about world events without subjecting yourself to constant negativity even possible?

So how about trying something else?

A Few Suggestions

Curate Your Sources

Choose reputable news sources that are known for their balanced and unbiased reporting. Look for organizations that adhere to journalistic standards and present information from multiple viewpoints. Avoid sources that are overly sensationalist or have a clear bias.

Limit Consumption

Instead of constantly checking the news throughout the day, set specific times (making this window short will limit you) for catching up on current events. This prevents information overload and reduces exposure to negativity. Use neutral news aggregators that compile news stories from various sources. These platforms often present headlines and brief summaries, allowing you to choose which stories to explore in more depth.

Weekly Summaries

Consider subscribing to weekly or bi-weekly news summaries. These provide a condensed overview of major events without delving into every detail. They can help you stay informed without drowning in negativity.

Podcasts

Seek out podcasts that offer quick insightful analysis and discussions on world events. Here you would have to find podcasts that provide a more balanced and nuanced perspective compared to sensationalist news headlines.

Long-Form Journalism

Read long-form articles from reputable magazines or online platforms (my favorite is The Atlantic). These articles tend to provide in-depth analysis and context, helping you gain a better understanding of complex issues.

Newsletters

Subscribe to newsletters that curate and analyze news stories. Many newsletters are dedicated to providing thoughtful and balanced insights. This is my go-to strategy; I use the Morning Brew.

Social Media Curation

Follow journalists, experts, and organizations on social media that provide well-researched analysis and news updates. Social media can be a valuable tool for staying informed if you curate your feed thoughtfully. I choose not to have any news/finance-related channels in my social media AT ALL.

Mindful Consumption

Be mindful of how news consumption affects your emotions and mindset. If a particular story or topic is causing negativity, it’s okay to step away and focus on more positive aspects of your life.

Staying informed doesn’t mean consuming every piece of news that comes your way. Prioritize quality over quantity, seek reliable sources, and focus on maintaining a balanced perspective.

Envolve Mindfulness

Confidence is a cornerstone of personal growth and achievement. To cultivate it, we must acknowledge and tackle the factors that diminish it.

By identifying our personal confidence robbers and taking deliberate steps to minimize their impact, we empower ourselves to thrive.

So, take a moment to reflect: What’s that one thing that robs you of your confidence? Identify it, confront it, and … DO LESS OF IT.

Use mindfulness as your guide to take charge of your journey toward self-assured success. And please leave a comment and let us know if you have successfully identified your own confidence robber!