4 Ways Plodding Leads To Confidence

Plodding. What an unpleasant word.

It sounds like something you do in the snow when you don’t have the right kind of shoes. And it is. But it’s also a powerful way to work your way into confidence.

At my worst moments, I’m certain the dictionary definition of “plod” could just as easily apply to the word “life”. According to Merriam-Webster Online, plod is a verb that means “to devote serious and sustained effort” and “to make progress in a clumsy, struggling manner”.

I don’t mind devoting myself seriously to my life, but I sometimes feel my progress comes in very clumsy lurches and struggling bursts.

At better moments, I know that every action I take is leading me forward. In much of my writing here and elsewhere, I encouraged my readers to live a simple, deliberate life so they will get much more from life than they ever imagined possible. Living deliberately can slow you down, though, and sometimes, you must act even if you aren’t certain of the right course.

Plodding along despite opposing forces and your own indecisiveness can lead you to confidence. Here are four ways trudging through — even when you aren’t sure — gains you some confidence.

1. It destroys inertia.

The first step, you probably know, is the hardest. Objects at rest tend to stay at rest — that’s a property of matter that science calls inertia. You must do something — anything — to get moving. Plodding works. Forward motion overcomes inertia. In fact, any kind of motion overcomes inertia. So here’s the best piece of advice I can give you today: Do something. One simple action destroys this physical fact of our existence.

2. It makes some progress.

It’s still progress. The progress you make on your life’s work while you’re reluctantly plodding through the tough times still counts. You’re still getting something done, and if you work smart, it’s progress you’ll never have to make again. Laying the groundwork for many of life’s opportunities involves some tedious, menial work anyway. You’ll be grateful to have some of this out of your way once your path becomes clear to you.

3. It aligns others.

You can never be sure whether a decision or an action will improve your standing in the eyes of a friend or business associate — or decrease it. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what others think, but you may want to know who stands with you. Taking action on a project shows others your resolve and gives them a chance to support or follow you. You don’t need negative people drawing away your energy, but you might be able to use the help of someone who is aligned with you.

4. It closes doors you want to close.

And here’s the best part: As you move along, gathering the support and help of those who see your positive progress, you’ll find momentum building behind you. It gives you the courage to open every door that comes before you — and to close the ones that don’t lead to your goal. Once you get moving, you see some progress. Once you see some progress, others see it too, and they join you. Then, with every door available to you, you have the courage to close the ones that lead to life’s dead ends.

You see, confidence is consciousness of your own power. Once you’re moving, begrudgingly or not, you’ll feel the enormous power that’s available through you. It’s power to take uncomfortable first steps, move easily through life’s systems, effectively lead others and make firm decisions that will serve you well.

That’s confidence. And that’s also how you get much more from life than you ever imagined possible.

Gip Plaster

Gip Plaster is a web content writer. Previously a journalist, online bookseller and even a corporate advertising guy, Gip now specialize in writing high-quality content for websites — his and other people’s. Learn more here.