Confidence


 * [|confidence] - a belief in one's ability to succeed. Striking a healthy balance can be challenging. Too much of it and you can come off as cocky and stumble into unforeseen obstacles, but having too little can prevent you from taking risks and seizing opportunities—in school, at work, in your social life, and beyond.

“If I were a fairy godmother, my gift to every child would be curiosity.”

Along with curiosity, confidence is one of the most important capabilities that everyone needs for a healthy, happy and productive life.

2017.12.1 Talking with a young women high school 11th grader representing a local FIRST robotics team at an important industry and military training conference, she described her personal growth through the program. She acknowledged at it was challenging to be a girl in STEM. She enjoyed it and had learned a lot. She had learned to put herself forward to get her ideas heard. She had learned to be " more assertive" - her words. I reminded her that this was "confidence". It wasn't clear that she understood the distinction, but it is important. Something we have to "do" until we change and "become".