One of the things Toto (aka Chet) and I have in common is that we happily married 5’0″ or so brides with a little Cherokee and a lot of heart. They speak clear, concise & direct in ways that pierce you.
Last night Connie & I were reflecting on the weekend StrengthFinders retreat I had just facilitated for 100+ volunteer leaders in our church. Part of my passion for the retreat was helping these leaders find their Core Purpose by connecting it with their Top 5. It’s an energizing way to gain 20-20 vision for what work & life can look like in 2020 as you gain more and more clarity for who you are across all the roles you play. Very cool.
As part of the weekend, I’d shared part of my own Builder’s Journey and how helpful doing work on my Core had helped me through a rough period where my confidence had been shaken.
Connie said, “was it that your confidence was SHAKEN, or did it simply expose the confidence you LACKED?”
Her words pierced me, and she was right. Thank you, Connie.
A strong core can withstand being shaken — which will happen many times as part of the Builder’s Journey. And your confidence will stand if you have a strong core. Confidence literally means “with faith” — so get clarity on your deepest held beliefs and your identity (who you are) and you will find the confidence in your CORE to be strong in the times of testing, when things really count.
AND the big reason for what was “lacking” in me was my trying to go it ALONE. That’s probably been the biggest change since, and my confidence is the stronger for it — which is why “Together we Improve” is more than just our tagline.
BUILT TO LEAD 
Freakin’ AWESOME Johnnythegurue AND well said Connie. Sounds like oneness in the making to me. Very cool.