The Confidence Guy

Wired into Truly Confident Living

Nov 02

Put a Dent in the Universe

Confidence building

I just finished re-reading the brilliant “Rework” (aff. link) by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, and 6 little words jumped out at me.

“Put a Dent in the Universe.”

It kicked up some thoughts and spurred me into recording this for you (quick summary below if you can’t watch or play the clip).

Just like you, confidence can’t exist in a vacuum.  You need to use it and you need to apply it, either that or you lose it.

There’s this moment that happens when I’m working with people; I call it the confidence tipping point.  This is the point at which your self-confidence reaches a level where you feel the deep need to do something with it, you feel the need to engage.  It’s a part of the process that slaps a big ol’ grin on my face every single time it happens, because it means you’re about to put a dent in the universe.

The tipping point is where the idea of getting out there and participating in the world becomes utterly compelling, and beyond the tipping point is where the good stuff in life lies.

And that’s what I want.  My “getting out there in the world” is taking other people to the confidence tipping point and beyond.  It excites me like nothing else.  So much so, that in my quiet moments when I dream BIG, I dream about taking the whole world to the tipping point.

So what kind of dent do you want to make in the universe?  What happens on the other side of your tipping point?

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7 Comments »
  • http://www.coopersbarnyard.com/blog Frankie Cooper

    I want to find my ninch so that I can help show others how to find there’s.
    .-= Check out Frankie Cooper´s last blog…5 Professional Minisite Templates… =-.

  • http://mistergoodguy.com Dave

    Hi Steve, I think you’re right about the tipping point. I find that my world is so much better when I’m out there doing something meaningful and sharing it with others. The time I spend being solitary and introspective does nothing to make me want to put a dent in the universe.

    Thanks
    Dave
    .-= Check out Dave´s last blog…Nominate November’s Good Cause =-.

  • http://KDMcCall.com Karen McCall

    Great article, loved the video, but I was thinking about those apples. You know if you don’t do something with them, they’ll spoil; which opens another train of thought. When you have opportunity, but take no action, it can become a habit. When you rise each morning to a house smelling of vinegar, a project unfinished, a decision unmade… you have added another obstacle that will undermine your confidence and zap your energy. That vinegar reeks of failure. Unfinished projects hang around and stink long past their expiration date.

  • Steve

    @Dave: And you’re doing great Dave! I gotta say though, sometimes I need to be solitary and introspective in order to move through something. I find this happens a couple of times a year quite naturally and I just let it ride, knowing that I’ll come out the other side wanting to get out there again. Do you have the same experience?

    @Karen: Rotten apples! Yeurgh, didn’t even think of that, but you’re right. The stinky stuff you keep around you only serves to take away from what you’re doing and divert your attention – set up your environment to be congruent with the game you’re playing. That’s a key part of my coaching method, thanks for picking up on it!

  • http://mistergoodguy.com Dave

    Steve, funnily enough I do, I call it my ‘cave time’.

    As you say, I know I’ll come out the other end of it feeling sociable and raring to go.
    .-= Check out Dave´s last blog…50 Donated to NCT – National Childbirth Trust =-.

  • http://burlapnbeads.com Pam Belding

    I’ve always loved reading your posts, but this one really struck me, because I’ve realized that I hit that tipping point and am now running with it! This Wednesday night, I’ll be sharing my analogy You are the Boat with a bunch of people in my local community. I’ve felt that undeniable desire to jump in and share it so I’ve been preparing the presentation and worksheets for it for weeks! I have to make my dent in the Universe so I might as well start now!! xoxoxoox LOVE your site, Steve!!

  • Steve

    @Pam: Good luck for tonight and have a ball! Be sure to let me know how it goes. Love it.