I usually know what I am doing but suddenly found myself feeling lost and confused.

It wasn't I lacked opportunities. I had a number of exciting work projects going on, plus a couple of intriguing side hustles (writing and property investment). I wasn't a novice either, I've got decades of experience in what I do.

But if I'm honest — I found myself sliding into insecurity and my confidence draining for no apparent reason.

I needed a reset and found it from Warren Buffet.

How I got back on track

Warren Buffett is probably the most successful investor of all time and a certified genius. Buffett attributes at least part of his success to 'the circle of competence' concept.

And it was this that rescued me in my hour of need.

We all have things we sort of know about, have some experience of and a bit of ability in. Part of our problem is that we can easily find ourselves drifting into these areas. What starts out as an experiment quickly becomes a distraction that confuses us.

This was my problem. Doing the Circle of Competence exercise solved it for me.

The circle of competence is those things that you really know about, your areas of expertise, and those strengths that others look to you for.

Warren Buffett resists the temptation to dabble in all sorts of things (even though he can afford to). He consistently focuses his investments on those areas he really knows about. And because of that he is successful. Year after year after year.

So a couple of months ago, feeling a little lost and insecure, I grabbed a blank sheet of paper and wrote at the top 'My circle of competence' and pondered what are the things that I really know how to do? What are the skills I keep demonstrating with excellent? What do others comment on that they see shining out of me?

I came up with four main ones. The resulting clarity was so powerful.

Confusion dissolved and confidence started to rise.

But I had one more step I needed to take.

Resist the temptation to go outside your circle

Buffet gives an important warning:

'Everyone's got a different circle of competence. The important thing is not how big the circle is. The important thing is staying within it.'

So I took things a step further and thought how I can I get back in my circle? How can I give more of my time and focus to those things I can do to a high level. And it brought clarity as I realised I was drifting into things that weren't really my thing.

I've kept that list of four things really close ever since. And so far it has made all the difference. It acts as a check when opportunities come up. Looking at it gives me a confidence boost whenever I needed.

With that clarity, my direction was reset. I am more likely to be successful with this focus.

However.

This is about much more than being successful (whatever that means). It is about learning to be comfortable in your own skin, finding your God-given purpose, connecting who you are with your place in universe. It is this that will give confidence, a feeling of contentment and security — pretty important then!

"You'll never find your purpose by comparing your life to someone else's" Bob Goff

What about you? What's your circle of competence? And how well are you staying within it?

Why not do this exercise and keep the results in view?

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