Hello everyone.
I recently joined a writing challenge called Ship 30for30, where you write a 250-word essay every day for 30 days and share it with a community of writers. I am quite excited about it and have been pleasantly surprised by the very supportive and active community. It is my intention to not miss 1 day, but that is easier said than done. I plan to share my favourite essay from the week in some upcoming newsletters.
Anyhow, onto business.
✏️ You Are Your Closest Observer
Self-confidence and self-esteem are among the most important traits in life. It allows you to perform to your highest potential, giving you the platform to express yourself and your abilities. But building confidence is not so easy. We live in a world where we tell people that they should accept themselves unconditionally and other people should accept them as they are too. This is correct, to a certain extent. But often, a lack of confidence or self-esteem is a useful data point that can serve as a signal from yourself that you have work to do.
You are, will always be, your closest observer. You have witnessed every conversation you’ve had, every situation you have ever been in, and your emotional responses to life. When you tell a lie, even if you get away with it, you witnessed yourself telling that lie. When you go to the gym even when you thought about skipping-out, you witnessed that display of discipline in yourself. You are watching yourself every second of your life. The pathway to building confidence and self-esteem is to show yourself every day a version of yourself that you would value and esteem highly. When you become a person whom you think valuable, that value is transmitted to others in the way you talk, carry yourself, and act in life. Low self-esteem and low confidence can be a signal to you that you have strayed too far from your ideal, that you are no longer moving towards the person you want to be. Of course, there are situations where such a lack of confidence and esteem is unwarranted and a possible symptom of mental illness, but that often isn’t the case.
Confidence comes when you observe values you rate highly — virtue, ability, and most importantly, growth — in yourself.
📸 Photo of the Week
We finally have a solution to the trolley cart problem.
📖 Book of the Week — The Plantagenets by Dan Jones
History is one of my favourite subjects to dig into, and I particularly enjoy moving from time period to time period, exploring the different dynasties, empires, and political figures that have come and gone over the centuries. I recently picked up The Plantagenets by Dan Jones, which is a history of the family line who ruled England from roughly 1150-1400 AD, some of England’s most formative decades. During this time England participated and survived through many significant world events including the Black Death plague, the Third Crusade, and the drafting of the Magna Carta. I am currently working through it myself at the moment, but I’m happy enough with what I’ve seen to recommend it to you all.
💭 Quote of the Week
Don’t let what you are stop you from being what you could be.
~ Jordan B. Peterson
🔭 Sunday Best
The best Twitter page for personal growth and mindset
José Mourinho's Scouting Report On Barcelona From The 05/06 Season
Five Investing Tips from Morgan Housel
Thanks for tuning in.
AT