
Unleash your confidence this July
Confidence isn’t something you have (or have not), it’s something you can create, cultivate and master. Increased self confidence can improve almost every element involved in a happy life. Here’s how.
This July, many of us turn a new leaf (or a page) and begin anew with a fresh start. With this in mind, and on the heels of a June where we broadened our horizons and challenged ourselves to try new situations and perspectives, it is a great time to unleash our inner confidence.
Confidence is a funny thing. When you have it, you don't think about it much, even maybe taking it for granted. When you don't have it, every situation reminds you that you could use some more. Luckily, confidence is something you can cultivate, learn and master—it is by no means a life-sentence.
This month, we want to show you that we each already possess all the skills and resources within ourselves to be confident. The key is learning to unleash inner confidence in any situation at all.
Revisiting and reconsidering our Key Questions
- What is confidence to you? Is it a feeling? A mindset? An attitude?
- In what situations or activities do you feel confident? Do you expect others to have the same competency as yourself in these activities?
- In what situations or activities do you feel unconfident? Do you think others expect you to immediately attain mastery at these things?
- Do the expectations you have for others match your expectations for yourself?
- What's a skill or talent you have that you are proud of? Take a moment to acknowledge your efforts and ability. Honour the practice and time that went into honing this skill.

Why do so many struggle with confidence?
There was a time in your life when tying your shoelaces, riding a bike, or explaining a new concept would have been difficult and intimidating. But now, chances are we can do these things without a second thought. They simply feel natural to us.
When we lack confidence, our thoughts are instead consumed with what-ifs, apprehension and doubt that interfere with doing the thing itself. When we lack confidence, we fear that there is a disconnect between how reality appears and reality itself.
The funny thing is that this ability to envision alternative possibilities contributed to our evolutionary success as a species. In the past, the person who showed no fear at the cliff's edge or in the presence of predators would die. The person who exercised caution at the cliff's edge now has hundreds of grandchildren!
We've retained the physiological responses to perceived uncertainty and danger, while the threats we face now are significantly less life threatening. When you think about it this way, self doubt and anxiety are actually disproportionate responses to new (and often exciting) situations.
Luckily, since our thousands of years of hardcoded genetic evolution don't respond to simple requests to stop working, there are many techniques to help stop brain from accessing your fear response.
1. Leverage neuroplasticity to rewire your brain for confidence
Like a desire path that grows more obvious with use, the more you have a thought pattern, the more your brain gets used to that thought pattern. By now, because lack of confidence is so common, this could be your brain's default state. However, by literally saying aloud or writing down new, positive beliefs in your ability and self, you can make these new "paths" deeper and stronger. By saying aloud or writing these new beliefs down, we activate different parts of our brain and deepen the neural connections as compared to simply having a thought internally. Over time, we make these "confident" paths stronger, until they become the default.
2. Practice envisioning positive outcomes before a new situation
Many of us have brief "visions" when we think of new situations. Whether it's a new date, party or presentation, we often envision something going wrong, or the outcome being poor. For some, the mere possibility of a "non-perfect" outcome is enough to make us cancel or be unwilling to try. Instead, try envisioning the new situation with a positive outcome, right before the event itself. Entering with a positive mindset and expectation keeps us focused on the task at hand, rather than in our own heads. Practice envisioning the worst possible outcome to its logical conclusion -- sometimes we realize even our worst fear was not that bad to begin with. So there's no excuse not to try.
3. Forget about "perfect"
The truth is, there is only 1 path to perfect, and literally infinite other paths. We can't control other people's reactions or thoughts, so the chances of all the dominoes falling into place for the perfect outcome is unlikely. Why then should you leave your own progress and success in the hands of anyone else? Take charge and get started.
What helps you in moments of self-doubt and anxiety? Let us know via Instagram or Messenger. We love hearing from you!
01.07.21
All Articles
07.03.23
Going Beyond: Celebrating B Corp Month
As B Corp month rolls around once again, we're excited to celebrate the theme of "Going Beyond" and share how we've ...
19.01.23
Karst Lands at Le Bon Marché, Paris
This January we’re packing up our notebooks and paying a visit to the city of light, love and Le Bon Marché.
05.01.23
New Year, Fresh Start
Scientifically Proven Ways to Stick to Your New Year's Resolutions
01.08.22
Karst Stone Paper vs. Traditional Paper
Karst’s stone paper is an alternative to wood pulp paper that offers a superior writing experience and multiple ...
01.01.22
A New Start: Create Vision this January
After facing a few years where “unprecedented” seemed to be the only word that adequately described them, we’re going ...
01.12.21
Gratitude: The Key to Increasing Happiness this December
This month, many of us will feel a sense of urgency to tie up loose ends and reach the goals we’d set earlier this ...
22.11.21
Changing the story
Black Friday Done Differently
01.11.21
Find Balance this November
This month, we want to take a chance to reflect on what we haven’t been doing, and perhaps consider putting time and ...
01.10.21
Reduce Procrastination this October
What are the real reasons for procrastination? Are you being honest to yourself when you are procrastinating? How are ...
01.09.21
Pursue purpose this September
Tasks, projects, priorities—these are just things to tick off a list unless they align with a greater purpose. This ...
01.08.21
Practice living simply this August
Appreciation of simple things helps us find inner tranquility and serenity. It reminds us that a lot of our wants and ...
01.07.21
Unleash your confidence this July
Confidence isn’t something you have (or have not), it’s something you can create, cultivate and master. Increased self ...
01.06.21
Build your curiosity this June
We are born curious—that's why babies put anything they can grab into their mouths. But we’re quickly taught not to ...
01.05.21
Big thinking for big results in May
Whenever we set a goal for ourselves, ask yourself 'why that particular goal?' Why not bigger? Why not set our sights ...
03.04.21
Stone Paper 101: Top Myths Busted
It took traditional paper hundreds of years to become common. We don't have time to wait for the same.
01.04.21
Decisions, decisions: Evaluate Priorities this April
The root of the word "priority" comes from an Old French root "priorite," meaning to come first in rank or precedence. ...
15.03.21
The B Corp Effect: Seeking Positive Impact
It’s been just over 16 months since Karst became a Certified B Corporation. In that amount of time, the world has ...
10.03.21
#BetterBusiness is Possible
Better business is possible. Find out how we do it.
01.03.21
Care and Growth: Nurture relationships this March
It's easy to get caught up in all our appointments and start taking for granted the relationships in our lives. A lot ...
02.01.21
Break or build: Choosing habits well this February
Breaking a bad habit (or a few) is one of the most effective ways to completely transform your life. But even the most ...
16.11.20
We're Doing Black Friday Differently This Year
At Karst, we believe in acting today for a better planet tomorrow. While we do our part to fight climate change now, we ...
14.04.20
Make working from home work for you
New to working at home? It can be tough, especially if you have never had to do it before for more than a few days at a ...
21.02.20
Tips for Creating a Sustainable Home Office
Working from home is more common than ever before, which is having a great impact on the environment. Home-working cuts ...
01.12.19
Customer Highlight: Creatives in Action
Have you ever seen someone wearing a piece of clothing you also have, but they've styled it in a way that's completely ...
16.09.19
The Best Stone Paper Notebook For Your Personality Type
Everyone on the Karst Team has a wildly different personality and funny enough we each have a different favourite ...
12.06.18
Eco-friendly Ways to Make Your Workplace More Productive
Since a lot of us spend most of our waking hours at work, the office may be the best place to practice sustainability. ...
01.01.18
Welcome to Bookmark by Karst
Bookmark By Karst - Stories, ideas and news. For creatives by creatives.