Live Broadcast: Rough Notes and Subtle Influence
Yesterday, the author attended Confidence Live, a captivating event filled with enlightening talks, heartfelt performances, and meaningful connections.
Hosted by Pixie Polite and Professor Doctor Kieran Fenby-Hulse, the evening began with a warm welcome, setting the tone for a night of camaraderie and inspiration. The author spent the evening sharing drinks and laughter with Pixie and Kieran, making the event feel more like a gathering of old friends than a formal occasion.
One of the highlights of the night was the talk by Nicola Griffiths. Griffiths, an expert on executive function and productivity, shared her insights on effective productivity management. She emphasised the importance of working less but smarter, focusing on quality over quantity, and restructuring one’s approach to avoid burnout and overwhelm. This means understanding personal limits, prioritising important tasks, and shifting mindset from measuring worth by output to valuing well-being and sustainable working habits.
Griffiths also discussed the concept of two systems in the brain, the "Executive" and the "Autopilot". She suggested doing tasks when one has energy instead of when running on fumes, a strategy that can significantly improve productivity.
Another key takeaway from Griffiths' talk was her advice against setting goals for the future self that doesn't exist yet. Instead, she encouraged focusing on the present and setting achievable goals that align with one's values and priorities.
Kira Matthews, another speaker at the event, encouraged the audience to "leave room for doubt". She introduced the idea of a trio of plans: Ideal, Fall-back, Bare minimum, a strategy that can help manage expectations and reduce stress when tackling challenges.
The event was not just about keynotes, but also about the connections made in the in-between spaces. Between sessions, there were conversations that felt powerful, including soft and scrappy ones. Confidence can also show up in shared stories over wine, in the in-between spaces.
Desree, a poet, performed during the event, her poetry feeling like a heartbeat. The line "call it a halo" is from a poem by Desree about odd jobs, a poignant reminder of the beauty in the everyday.
The night was closed by Sue Perkins, who delivered a closing full of warmth, wit, and just enough weirdness. The closing of the event was a little surreal, but also joyful, leaving the author with a full heart, a mess of scribbles, and a steadier kind of confidence.
While discussing the importance of productivity management, Nicola Griffiths highlighted the importance of restructuring one's lifestyle towards sustainable working habits for personal growth and self-development, emphasizing the value of well-being over mere output. Kira Matthews, on the other hand, advocated for focusing on the present and setting achievable goals that reflect one's values and priorities as part of one's education-and-self-development journey, encouraging the audience to find strength in the process rather than just the outcome.
