Confidence vs Arrogance

A huge part of selling yourself is confidence but there's a fine line between confidence and arrogance. I recently listened to a Podcast with Nick Huber (author of The Sweaty Startup) where he talked about how many successful people, regardless of their intelligence, were successful because they had confidence. There are few areas in my life where I am confident… and many more where I am not (check out the My Imposter Syndrome Blog for context). But I understand chemistry. Chemistry is hard for people, it was hard for me. My confidence came from other people telling me I made chemistry easy for them. Chemistry is math and problem solving combined with prediction, experimentation, and evaluating results. I enjoyed the challenge, and I like getting the results. Even more, I love teaching chemistry and seeing others getting results. The same is true about personal finance. I am confident I can teach people personal finance. I’ve done it myself, I’ve helped a few like minded people, and now I’m building a system and a business around helping others become financially independent. I am also not arrogant enough to think I’ll be great... or even that good at it right away.

Having an understanding of chemistry didn’t mean I’ve always had the confidence to teach it. Tutoring a few like minded friends in college is different from building a system for teaching it to a variety of high school students with different backgrounds and abilities. Again, I wasn’t great at it right away, but I believe I’m a great chemistry teacher now.

It may sound arrogant saying “I’m a great chemistry teacher” and it feels strange… but I believe the evidence is there. Over 18 years, I built and improved a strong system for teaching chemistry. Student standardized test scores were consistently high and students excelled in chemistry academic contests. But that wasn’t what convinced me I was a great chemistry teacher. What convinced me was testimony from former students telling me that I made college chemistry easy for them and that they tutored their classmates using the lessons and systems they learned from me. They told me it was challenging and rewarding... and some even said it was fun to teach their roommate, classmates, or friends chemistry. I couldn’t agree more!

I believe I can do the same in personal finance. It can be challenging and rewarding. I have confidence I can learn and teach it to others. I’m currently building out my systems based on what I’ve done, what I’m learning, and what has worked for others. I’m always working to get better. I have way more questions than answers but I consider myself an obsessive lifelong learner. This was true in teaching chemistry, (plus biology, physical science, earth science, physics, & A&P, while coaching 4 sport seasons - please remember to thank a teacher, even more thanks if you are currently an educator). I believe it will be the same in coaching and advising people on their personal finance. Help me be my best, and your finances will be better as well. If you haven't heard it from me yet, I'm selling value & empowerment, not products.

I believe that when we teach, we learn twice. Let’s see if I’m the right person to help you get Your Everyday ROI.