Comments on: Does taking risks build confidence?

By: How to Build Self Confidence Through Activity — How to Have Great Self Confidence

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:24:29 +0000

[...] life” is not dissimilar to that behind undertaking fear inducing activities like tackling a Ropeworks course. My view, in that post on taking risks, was it can be counter productive – especially if you [...]

By: aran

aran — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:01:40 +0000

without wishing to sound pompous, pedantic or whatever, i culled these from the OED

courage
• noun 1 the ability to do something that frightens one. 2 strength in the face of pain or grief.
— PHRASES have the courage of one’s convictions act on one’s beliefs despite danger or disapproval. take one’s courage in both hands nerve oneself to do something that frightens one.
— ORIGIN Old French corage, from Latin cor ‘heart’.

confidence
• noun 1 the belief that one can have faith in or rely on someone or something. 2 self-assurance arising from an appreciation of one’s abilities. 3 the telling of private matters or secrets with mutual trust. 4 a secret or private matter told to someone under a condition of trust.

for further reading on using the outdoors for personal development, the first place to start is
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outward_Bound.
hope it is of interest

arans last blog post..First Aid In the Wilderness: Getting Through It Safely

By: Wolfy

Wolfy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:41:32 +0000

I guess so. So the rope bridges don’t actually build *confidence*… they build *courage*!

By: aran

aran — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:32:25 +0000

@ wolfy: isn’t that the definition of courage?

By: Wolfy

Wolfy — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:26:36 +0000

I think exercises like the Rope Bridges are not meant to make you lose the fear, but rather to make you lose the unwillingness to attempt them. It’s a subtle difference.

So the next time you hit the course, you still have nearly all the same fear but at least this time you won’t be petrified… you did it once so now you have no justifiable reason to not do it the second time so you’ll step off the platform and just do it, by default, while still scared inside.

By: Leadership Development Course

Leadership Development Course — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:14:33 +0000

I notice that there are times when experience creates an even larger fear and lack of confidence within us. Experience alone cannot help us to overcome. The mindset that helps us to improve if nearly blind to the results can help us to gain confidence. Embarrassment is a pivot. Pain is a pivot. Even happiness is a pivot on which we must decide if we are wanting to continue pursuing that which brought us those feelings.

By: Ned

Ned — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:24:13 +0000

I think it is less about taking risks and more about taking responsibility.

I am a machinist and I run machines that cost $500,000 on the low end. These machines move very quickly and one over-sight could mean an expensive repair and lost production time.

When I first started doing this kind of work, I was extremely nervous and I would triple check everything I did to ensure I wouldn’t destroy something. One of the first things they taught me was that scraped parts, broken tools and crashed machines happen everyday and not to worry about it.

What improved my confidence with machining was accepting the consequences of crashing a machine beforehand. Once I could accept my own fallibility, I became a lot better at my job. The reality is, people with twenty years experience doing what I do still make those kind of mistakes.

In your article, you mention how governments, parents and others are over-protective in our society. I think this leads people to not take responsibility for themselves and their behavior. And, in turn, they lack self-confidence. Confidence means there is no one to blame. You take full responsibility. And the truth is, government or no government, you are responsible in the end.

Ned’s last blog post..Anger in the Body and Inspired Action: Day 1

By: Gaining self confidence | How to Have Great Self Confidence

Gaining self confidence | How to Have Great Self Confidence — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:07:24 +0000

[...] Does taking risks build confidence? [...]

By: David

David — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 09:18:51 +0000

Ohm – I’m a great believer in small steps rather than jumping in at the deep end!
aran – I think your point about the instructor and how they help someone overcome their fears is central to this discussion. It does tie in with Ohm point about small steps, or gradually pushing your comfort zone.
Going back to my Ropeworks example, one of my twins (the tree climber) loved the experience. The other, suddenly finding herself (I guess) 20 feet above ground couldn’t cope.
Since writing the post I have also recalled two experiences from when I was at Grammar school (11 – 16). One was a days orienteering around the New Forest in small groups and the other a week learning to sail at Calshot (Solent estuary). I can recall the fear of being lost and the short tempered, Miss Trenchbull person in charge at Calshot (she was called Bren, as in machine gun rather than Brenda!) Despite spending my life on the coast I have never since had the urge to try sailing.
So I do accept your point that good adventure can build confidence, especially with a good instructor. And perhaps I’m biased through my own experiences. But going back to your 80/20 figure. If its a negative experience for 20% – the lasting impact on them of doing something they find frightening or extremely unpleasant cannot be ignored.

David’s last blog post..Does taking risks build confidence?

By: aran

aran — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:33:22 +0000

As a long serving (27 years) outdoor activities instructor and mountaineer, I am afraid that I am going to have to disagree strongly with you.
I have had the honour of dealing with many people from all backgrounds and ages, over the years; most of whom have benefitted greatly from trying to master their inner fears through the medium of adventure (risk taking). I say most, because , like everything, this medium does not suit everyone (cf. the 80/20 rule).
What is crucial, of course is the role of the Instructor or the coach in this experience – a good one can help a candidate to dig deep into their psyche in a very short amount of time and help that person to develop strategies to overcome their fears in “real-time”. A bad one (sadly many ex-military take the bullying approach) will scare the b’jaysus out of you.
In my own life, the adventures that I have had, from the high Himalaya to the hills of North Wales, the nights spent in the open air, the terror experienced in Scotland in winter etc. etc have all helped to build and maintain a strong inner resilience that supports my everyday endeavours.
Like everything in life, it depends upon the individual.
I use my extensive experience, moderated with some good old fashioned common sense with my own 3 children and we seem to be doing just fine.
Interesting post, though.
a

aran’s last blog post..Moelwyn Ramblings