Last week, I found myself in an unexpected moment of wisdom — sitting beside my 4-year-old granddaughter during bath time.
“Motek (Sweetheart,) why didn’t you want to go to your swim class?”
She looked at me with the honesty only children have:
“I’m afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
“I’m afraid of the water… afraid I’ll drown.”
“You see,” I said, “when you’re this afraid, your fear is all the way up here.”
She nodded.
“But then, you take one swim class with someone who helps you. And maybe another. And your fear goes down…” (I lowered my left hand slowly.)
“And you know what happens when your fear goes down?” (I raised my right hand.)
“Your confidence goes up!”
You can’t shrink what you don’t name. Be honest: What’s the fear under the surface? Is it judgment? Rejection? Uncertainty? Once you name it, you take the first step in shrinking it.
Confidence doesn’t come from thinking — it comes from doing. Take one small step in the direction of your fear. Each action is a vote of belief in your ability.
Celebrate even the tiniest victories. Each success, no matter how small, lowers fear and raises confidence. It tells your brain: “See? You can do this.”
Dorice Horenstein, renowned as the “Oy to Joy” International Champion Catalyst Speaker, transforms tactics into practical strategies! As a Positive Intelligence expert and best-selling author of Moments of the Heart: Four Relationships Everyone Should Have to Live Wholeheartedly, Dorice energizes and motivates global audiences to uncover their inner champions. With a background in educational leadership, she has made the world her platform, fostering positive cultures by empowering individuals to overcome challenges, build resilience, and find joy, leading to personal and professional growth.
Dorice is a dynamic speaker whose energy and charisma have a global impact. Her core superpower is her ability to present, train, and coach effectively. She redefines “T.E.A.M.” as “Together Everyone’s Attributes are Magnified,” inspiring others to recognize their strengths, enhance effectiveness, and joyfully step into their destined leadership roles. Her mission is to cultivate healthy, positive relationships that reduce stress, increase retention rates, and create a more positive culture both at work and at home.
