Confidence

I have to share one of the nerdiest things I have ever done. Since my business revolves around people, and human interaction I decided a few weeks ago it is my first priority to master the ART of confidence and communication. I was literally the shyest person in the entire world as a child. I couldn't even order my own food or phone my friends out of fear I would have to speak to their parent. No joke, that extreme (because you know, Stephanie does EVERYTHING extreme. Everything). When I became a teenager I learnt that I could overcome my fear of social situations with alcohol, and this new discovery, in it's own way, helped bring me out of my shell.

The other somewhat frightening thing (for me) about my mission to become confident with strangers, is that since I have made a promise to myself to abstain from alcohol for a whole year (46 days and counting). This year I am focusing on ME, my goals, and  not using alcohol as a band aid for my problems and social awkwardness anymore.

As an adult I'm not super shy- I'm actually kind of the crazy outgoing one when I'm in my own zone, or hosting my own party, or around my friends. I don't feel the extreme fear of social situations anymore. That said, something about being in public and striking up conversations with strangers, or talking to people I don't know at a party, is so scary to me. I've never been good at small talk. It's the weaknesses you KNOW are yours, that you need to work on the most.

So I have made it my mission to sit in public (like right now at a local coffee shop with my laptop) whenever possible. I am going to spend as much time out of my comfort zone, and around strangers as physically possible. The oddest thing that I've found over the last few weeks when putting this mission into action is that I actually ENJOY it. Who knew?  I have actually grown to love my time alone in public and talking to people I never would have before. The other odd thing is I think strangers can actually sense that I'm a happy and excited person, because lately everywhere I go, random people are talking to me.

The nerdy thing that I believe is the reason I have this newfound confidence I never knew I had..? Everday at 11 am. I have an alarm set to "Be Confident."

Yeah that's right.

Oh, and this: 

Nerdy, I know.