Big dreams = bold futures ??

Welcome to Quick Confidence! This weekly letter delivers a spritz of stories, tips and actions that will build your confidence and power. Each tip bolsters confidence in your body, mind, and relationships so you can lead yourself and others to greatness. Quick Confidence is also a book! Get your copy to carry confidence wherever you go.?

Have you ever found yourself thinking about your big dreams in a small way? I sure have. With my first two books—btw, keep your eyes ?? peeled for the second edition of “Pushback” coming this fall—I took a pretty straightforward approach when pitching to publishers. I highlighted how my books were science backed, practical and would enrich leadership development literature, all with the main goal of getting published so I could share what I've learned with others.

While this method was effective—it did get my books out into the world—I later started to think about what I missed by keeping my focus too narrow.

With “Quick Confidence”, I decided to go big. I started thinking about all the great ripple effects that could come from the book. Imagine, a series of books under the "Quick" label, each tailored to different audiences, like teenage girls or college students. Or imagine, "Quick" books addressing topics outside of confidence! I shared these bigger ideas with publishers, showing them how we could create value well into the future. This wasn't just about securing a great book deal; it was about planting seeds for exciting growth opportunities.

This approach isn't just for authors. Whatever your field, why limit yourself to what's right in front of you? Zoom out, look at the bigger picture, and think about all the possibilities.

Now’s your chance to think big. Plus, the enthusiasm and belief we show when we imagine a bold future can inspire others to join us and help turn our visions into reality.

And here's another thing: people who think about the future—those who plan and dream about what could be—tend to live healthier, more successful lives. So why wait to start crafting a future that excites you? To help you get started, here are three empowering shifts to help you stretch your thinking:

Quick Confidence Tips to Enhance Your Future Thinking

1. Embodied: Let your imagination soar. If you’re going to tap your best vision and future focus, you need to dedicate some time to it. So, try looking inward, not outward for the answers. If you have a hard time projecting into the future you can begin by answering these questions: How can I create impact on a bigger scale than I was originally thinking? How could I make this idea more enduring or more dynamic going forward? What other opportunities does my central idea or mission spark? If, in the future, I was on the cover of my favorite magazine sharing my mission/idea, how would I describe the driving force behind it, the larger dream or concept? Dedicating time to seeing your success in the future will bring it that much closer to reality.
2. Mindset: Connect your goals to enduring principles. In Jason Feifer’s brilliant book, “Build for Tomorrow: An Action Plan for Embracing Change, Adapting Fast, and Future-Proofing Your Career,” he recommends being a future thinker by identifying a mission statement, something so core to us that it does not change despite what change happens around us. For someone who works in social media marketing, for example, that might mean changing your mission from being an expert on Instagram (which could easily change in popularity or relevance) to being a brand storyteller. Being able to tell a brand’s story is enduring, not trendy, and it helps to build more genuine connections with communities. How about you? Take a moment right now to write down a mission you have for yourself—one that rises above temporary changes, trends, or forces and stands the test of time.
3. Interpersonal: Mix optimism with realism for best results. It's great to think positively and optimistically about our dreams and goals, but imagining potential pitfalls and worst-case scenarios allows us to prepare for those possibilities, making us more confident and resilient in the face of actual challenges. So, think expansively about the future, but then, bring in a healthy dose of realism and become aware of potential threats and hurdles. A great way to gain these insights is by getting feedback from the optimists and the pessimists in your life. It may make you aware of things you never even thought of. Don’t be afraid to ask questions like, “What spinoff ideas/opportunities could this idea create?” and “What problems, resistance or blockers would you anticipate on that path?”

Future thinking not only enriches your life now but also empowers you to make bold decisions that build your confidence and shape a brighter more fulfilling future.

Now over to you: How could expanding your vision today change your tomorrow? I’d love to hear about the big dreams you’re working towards!

Looking for your next keynote or workshop facilitator? Consider booking me! I deliver empowering and creative speaking engagements that equip teams with the practical tools and confidence-building advice needed to advance careers and lead with impact.

My keynote speeches and workshops incorporate action learning and improv techniques to provide forward-thinking strategies that can be implemented immediately. My experience speaking to professionals spans a range of industries, some of my clients, include: The World Bank, Under Armour, Microsoft, Harvard University, and Johnson & Johnson.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to level up your organization’s leadership skills, book me today for your next keynote or workshop!