TedTest

From the Ted Talk by Amy Adkins: 3 tips to boost your confidence

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When faced with a big clnlgahee where potential failure seems to lurk at every corner, maybe you've hared this advice before: "Be more confident." And most likely, this is what you think when you hear it: "If only it were that simple." But what is confidence? Take the beleif that you are valuable, worthwhile, and capable, also known as self-esteem, add in the optimism that comes when you are certain of your abilities, and then epmeerowd by these, act csloguerouay to face a challenge head-on. This is confidence. It turns thoughts into action. So where does confidence even come from? There are several factors that iapcmt confidence. One: what you're born with, such as your genes, which will impact things like the balance of neurochemicals in your brain. Two: how you're treated. This iednlcus the saiocl preuersss of your ennenrovmit. And three: the part you have control over, the choices you make, the risks you take, and how you think about and respond to challenges and setbacks. It isn't possible to completely untangle these three foatrcs, but the poseranl choices we make certainly play a major role in confidence development. So, by kpnieeg in mind a few paciratcl tips, we do actually have the power to cultivate our own confidence. Tip 1: a quick fix. There are a few tricks that can give you an immediate cnfnocdeie boost in the short term. Picture your scscues when you're beginning a difficult task, something as simple as lnnstieig to music with deep bass; it can ptorome feelings of power. You can even strike a powerful pose or give yourself a pep talk. Tip two: believe in your ability to improve. If you're looking for a long-term change, consider the way you think about your abilities and talents. Do you think they are fixed at birth, or that they can be developed, like a muscle? These beliefs matter because they can influence how you act when you're faced with setbacks. If you have a fixed mindset, meaning that you think your talents are locked in place, you might give up, assuming you've discovered something you're not very good at. But if you have a growth mnedist and think your abilities can improve, a challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. Neuroscience supports the growth mindset. The connections in your brain do get stronger and grow with study and practice. It also turns out, on average, people who have a gwrtoh mindset are more successful, getting better grades, and doing better in the face of challenges. Tip three: practice failure. Face it, you're going to fail sometimes. Everyone does. J.K. Rowling was rcjeteed by twelve different publishers before one picked up "Harry Potter." The Wright Brothers built on history's failed attempts at flight, including some of their own, before designing a sssuefuccl airplane. Studies show that those who fail regularly and keep trying anyway are better epuqpeid to respond to challenges and sbktecas in a constructive way. They lraen how to try different strategies, ask others for advice, and perservere. So, think of a challenge you want to take on, reizlae it's not going to be easy, accept that you'll make mistakes, and be kind to yourself when you do. Give yourself a pep talk, stand up, and go for it. The ecenmixett you'll feel knowing that whatever the result, you'll have gained greater knowledge and utdnienarsdng. This is confidence.

Open Cloze

When faced with a big _________ where potential failure seems to lurk at every corner, maybe you've _____ this advice before: "Be more confident." And most likely, this is what you think when you hear it: "If only it were that simple." But what is confidence? Take the ______ that you are valuable, worthwhile, and capable, also known as self-esteem, add in the optimism that comes when you are certain of your abilities, and then _________ by these, act ____________ to face a challenge head-on. This is confidence. It turns thoughts into action. So where does confidence even come from? There are several factors that ______ confidence. One: what you're born with, such as your genes, which will impact things like the balance of neurochemicals in your brain. Two: how you're treated. This ________ the ______ _________ of your ___________. And three: the part you have control over, the choices you make, the risks you take, and how you think about and respond to challenges and setbacks. It isn't possible to completely untangle these three _______, but the ________ choices we make certainly play a major role in confidence development. So, by _______ in mind a few _________ tips, we do actually have the power to cultivate our own confidence. Tip 1: a quick fix. There are a few tricks that can give you an immediate __________ boost in the short term. Picture your _______ when you're beginning a difficult task, something as simple as _________ to music with deep bass; it can _______ feelings of power. You can even strike a powerful pose or give yourself a pep talk. Tip two: believe in your ability to improve. If you're looking for a long-term change, consider the way you think about your abilities and talents. Do you think they are fixed at birth, or that they can be developed, like a muscle? These beliefs matter because they can influence how you act when you're faced with setbacks. If you have a fixed mindset, meaning that you think your talents are locked in place, you might give up, assuming you've discovered something you're not very good at. But if you have a growth _______ and think your abilities can improve, a challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. Neuroscience supports the growth mindset. The connections in your brain do get stronger and grow with study and practice. It also turns out, on average, people who have a ______ mindset are more successful, getting better grades, and doing better in the face of challenges. Tip three: practice failure. Face it, you're going to fail sometimes. Everyone does. J.K. Rowling was ________ by twelve different publishers before one picked up "Harry Potter." The Wright Brothers built on history's failed attempts at flight, including some of their own, before designing a __________ airplane. Studies show that those who fail regularly and keep trying anyway are better ________ to respond to challenges and ________ in a constructive way. They _____ how to try different strategies, ask others for advice, and perservere. So, think of a challenge you want to take on, _______ it's not going to be easy, accept that you'll make mistakes, and be kind to yourself when you do. Give yourself a pep talk, stand up, and go for it. The __________ you'll feel knowing that whatever the result, you'll have gained greater knowledge and _____________. This is confidence.

Solution

equipped
growth
personal
learn
environment
confidence
listening
promote
excitement
impact
courageously
belief
practical
successful
keeping
factors
realize
understanding
pressures
heard
social
includes
success
challenge
rejected
mindset
setbacks
empowered

Original Text

When faced with a big challenge where potential failure seems to lurk at every corner, maybe you've heard this advice before: "Be more confident." And most likely, this is what you think when you hear it: "If only it were that simple." But what is confidence? Take the belief that you are valuable, worthwhile, and capable, also known as self-esteem, add in the optimism that comes when you are certain of your abilities, and then empowered by these, act courageously to face a challenge head-on. This is confidence. It turns thoughts into action. So where does confidence even come from? There are several factors that impact confidence. One: what you're born with, such as your genes, which will impact things like the balance of neurochemicals in your brain. Two: how you're treated. This includes the social pressures of your environment. And three: the part you have control over, the choices you make, the risks you take, and how you think about and respond to challenges and setbacks. It isn't possible to completely untangle these three factors, but the personal choices we make certainly play a major role in confidence development. So, by keeping in mind a few practical tips, we do actually have the power to cultivate our own confidence. Tip 1: a quick fix. There are a few tricks that can give you an immediate confidence boost in the short term. Picture your success when you're beginning a difficult task, something as simple as listening to music with deep bass; it can promote feelings of power. You can even strike a powerful pose or give yourself a pep talk. Tip two: believe in your ability to improve. If you're looking for a long-term change, consider the way you think about your abilities and talents. Do you think they are fixed at birth, or that they can be developed, like a muscle? These beliefs matter because they can influence how you act when you're faced with setbacks. If you have a fixed mindset, meaning that you think your talents are locked in place, you might give up, assuming you've discovered something you're not very good at. But if you have a growth mindset and think your abilities can improve, a challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. Neuroscience supports the growth mindset. The connections in your brain do get stronger and grow with study and practice. It also turns out, on average, people who have a growth mindset are more successful, getting better grades, and doing better in the face of challenges. Tip three: practice failure. Face it, you're going to fail sometimes. Everyone does. J.K. Rowling was rejected by twelve different publishers before one picked up "Harry Potter." The Wright Brothers built on history's failed attempts at flight, including some of their own, before designing a successful airplane. Studies show that those who fail regularly and keep trying anyway are better equipped to respond to challenges and setbacks in a constructive way. They learn how to try different strategies, ask others for advice, and perservere. So, think of a challenge you want to take on, realize it's not going to be easy, accept that you'll make mistakes, and be kind to yourself when you do. Give yourself a pep talk, stand up, and go for it. The excitement you'll feel knowing that whatever the result, you'll have gained greater knowledge and understanding. This is confidence.

Frequently Occurring Word Combinations

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growth mindset	3

Important Words

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