Episode Summary: "Proven Ways to Boost Confidence & How to Overcome Procrastination - SYSK Choice"

Podcast Information

• Title: Something You Should Know
• Host: Mike Carruthers | OmniCast Media
• Episode Title: Proven Ways to Boost Confidence & How to Overcome Procrastination - SYSK Choice
• Release Date: April 12, 2025
• Description: Host Mike Carruthers delves into actionable strategies for enhancing confidence and defeating procrastination. Featuring insightful interviews with experts Hayden Finch and Lydia Fannette, this episode offers listeners practical advice to improve various aspects of their lives.

Introduction

Mike Carruthers kicks off the episode by highlighting two common yet impactful challenges many face: building confidence and overcoming procrastination. He sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of these topics, aiming to provide listeners with tangible strategies and expert insights.

Part 1: Proven Ways to Boost Confidence

Guest: Hayden Finch
Timestamp: [05:25] – [25:23]

Understanding Confidence

Hayden Finch, an ambassador for Christie's and author of Claim Your Confidence, shares her perspective on where confidence originates. She posits that confidence is inherent within us from birth but must be nurtured through life experiences.

Notable Quote:
"When you become confident, it's almost a self-fulfilling prophecy because that confidence propels you to try things and not to care so much about the result."
— Hayden Finch, [00:43]

Building Confidence Through Challenges

Hayden emphasizes that stepping out of one’s comfort zone is crucial for developing confidence. She explains that facing and overcoming difficulties not only builds resilience but also solidifies one's belief in their capabilities.

Insight:
People who have endured significant hardships often exhibit higher levels of confidence compared to those who haven't faced similar challenges. This is because overcoming obstacles reinforces the understanding that they can handle future adversities.

Practical Strategies to Enhance Confidence

1. Push Beyond Comfort Zones: Engage in activities that challenge you, even if they cause discomfort initially.

2. Start with Micro Steps: Break down daunting tasks into smaller, manageable actions to build momentum.

   Notable Quote:
   "Take the opportunities that are smaller, that don't seem quite as large and overwhelming."
   — Hayden Finch, [10:01]

3. Embrace Failures as Learning Experiences: Each setback is an opportunity to grow and reinforce your confidence.

   Example:
   Hayden shares her experiences as an auctioneer, detailing how repeated on-stage mishaps ultimately made her more competent and confident.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Hayden introduces the SLAM acronym to combat imposter syndrome:

• S - Stop counting yourself out: Don’t preemptively dismiss your abilities.
• L - Listen: Focus on the actual message rather than perceived negative implications.
• A - Accept no gold stars as an adult: Self-validate your achievements.
• M - Make your point and don’t back down: Stand firm in your convictions and recognize the value of your opinions.

Notable Quote:
"You are old enough to know if what you've done is good, if your work quality is good, if, you know, in my case, I got off stage and an auction went well. I know I don't need anyone else to tell me that."
— Hayden Finch, [25:06]

Holistic Confidence

Hayden discusses how confidence in one area of life can influence overall self-assurance. She suggests that progress in personal confidence can bolster professional confidence and vice versa.

Notable Quote:
"You can't be confident at work unless you are somewhat confident personally, because you can't walk into a room and own a room unless you're feeling confident on the inside."
— Hayden Finch, [25:23]

Part 2: How to Overcome Procrastination

Guest: Lydia Fannette
Timestamp: [28:13] – [50:57]

The Psychology Behind Procrastination

Lydia Fannette, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of The Psychology of Procrastination, delves into the underlying factors that drive procrastination. She explains that procrastination is not merely a matter of poor time management but is deeply rooted in emotional responses.

Notable Quote:
"We need to address the deeper emotional stuff that's going on."
— Lydia Fannette, [39:23]

Emotional Factors Contributing to Procrastination

1. Avoidance of Negative Feelings: Tasks that evoke unpleasant emotions often lead to avoidance behaviors.
2. Overwhelm and Anxiety: Feeling overwhelmed can paralyze action, making it difficult to start or complete tasks.
3. Shame and Self-Doubt: Procrastinators may feel ashamed of their delays, which further inhibits progress.

Notable Quote:
"Unless you address that anxiety and the overwhelm and these other emotions that I mentioned, you're gonna have a really hard time sitting down and getting that documentation done."
— Lydia Fannette, [40:00]

Productive Procrastination

Lydia introduces the concept of "productive procrastination," where individuals delay important tasks by engaging in less critical ones. This behavior provides temporary relief from the stress associated with the primary task.

Notable Quote:
"We call this productive procrastination. Right. So I'm procrastinating with something else that also needs to get done is also important."
— Lydia Fannette, [42:47]

Strategies to Combat Procrastination

1. Emotion Management Over Time Management: Focus on understanding and addressing the emotions that lead to procrastination rather than solely improving scheduling techniques.

   Notable Quote:
   "Ultimately, overcoming procrastination requires that you address the deeper emotional stuff that's going on."
   — Lydia Fannette, [39:58]

2. Identify Underlying Emotions: Recognize the feelings that cause procrastination, such as fear, anxiety, or shame, to better address them.

3. Start with Small Steps: Similar to confidence-building, tackling tasks in smaller increments can make them less intimidating.

   Notable Quote:
   "If you feel like all you can stand of this task is one minute or five minutes, then that's the place to start."
   — Lydia Fannette, [44:42]

4. Reverse the Motivation Hierarchy: Instead of waiting for motivation to take action, initiate action to generate motivation.

   Notable Quote:
   "We have to find a strategy to do an activity even when we're not motivated. So motivation can't come before action. You have to reverse that."
   — Lydia Fannette, [47:07]

5. Delay Decision-Making in Emotional Responses: Understand that emotional reactions can lead to avoidance and find ways to navigate through these feelings to complete tasks.

Overcoming the Fear of Failure

Lydia discusses the importance of accepting that failure is a natural part of the process. By embracing failures as learning opportunities, individuals can reduce the fear that often fuels procrastination.

Notable Quote:
"Once you can get started, then the emotions are going to take a back seat."
— Lydia Fannette, [46:31]

Self-Talk as a Tool

Mike introduces the concept of positive self-talk, supported by studies indicating that verbalizing tasks can enhance focus and efficiency.

Notable Quote:
"Talking to yourself could actually help you get through life a little easier."
— Mike Carruthers, [48:18]

Conclusion

In this episode of Something You Should Know, Mike Carruthers expertly navigates the complexities of confidence and procrastination with insights from experts Hayden Finch and Lydia Fannette. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological factors that influence these behaviors and are equipped with practical strategies to enhance self-confidence and overcome the inertia of procrastination.

Key Takeaways:

• Confidence is built through pushing past comfort zones and embracing challenges.
• Imposter syndrome can be addressed through self-validation and assertive communication.
• Procrastination is deeply connected to emotional states and requires emotion-focused strategies to overcome.
• Starting small and addressing emotional barriers are critical steps in defeating procrastination.

By applying these insights, individuals can make meaningful changes to advance in their personal and professional lives, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and productive existence.

Additional Resources:

• Claim Your Confidence by Hayden Finch
• The Psychology of Procrastination by Lydia Fannette

For more information and to listen to the full episode, visit OmniCast Media.