Column | Norton: Finding confidence by finding our rhythm
At last week’s Sandler Client Summit in Fort Lauderdale, we had what you’d expect from a world-class event: exceptional speakers, engaging content and clients from around the globe sharing ideas and best practices. It’s the kind of conference that reminds you why getting out of your day-to-day routine every now and then is a very good investment.
While many sessions explored AI and emerging technologies (as they should), just as many focused on something far less programmable, the human side of performance. Topics like mindset, belief systems, stress management, stepping out of the comfort zone and into the stretch zone, and, of course, confidence, took center stage.
Each speaker brought their own perspective and personality to these subjects. And as we reflected on the sessions with our team and attendees, one theme kept surfacing: the critical role of a healthy self-image. Put simply, confidence matters. A lot.
And yet, it’s also clear that many people are struggling with it.
In today’s nonstop pace, where information comes at us faster than we can process it, it’s easy to feel like we’re falling behind. Several participants openly shared that their confidence had taken a hit. The questions start to creep in:
Support Local Journalism
“Do I really know enough to do my job well?”
“Can I keep up with the pace of technology?”
“Am I good enough?”
That last question is the one that does the most damage. Once it takes hold, confidence doesn’t just dip; it can quietly erode.
If you’ve followed this column, you know I often come back to a few foundational ideas: hope, a positive mental attitude, faith, strong relationships, discipline, and confidence. These aren’t abstract concepts; they’re practical anchors. When they’re in place, confidence tends to follow. When they’re not, confidence becomes harder to find.
Which brings us to something we discussed often at the Summit: rhythm.
Confidence isn’t found by trying to keep pace with everyone else. It’s found by establishing a rhythm that works for you, one that aligns with your values, your goals, and your priorities. Just because the race keeps speeding up doesn’t mean you have to sprint at someone else’s pace. You’re allowed to run your race on your clock.
When you find that rhythm, when you reconnect with your source of hope, ground your mindset, invest in meaningful relationships, stay disciplined, and lean into your faith, confidence has a way of returning. Not all at once, but steadily. And with it comes the ability to move beyond the comfort zone and into real growth.
I couldn’t help but think that if Zig Ziglar had been in the room, he would have been smiling. The speakers delivered not just insight, but practical wisdom, what Zig would call “golden nuggets,” that attendees can actually apply in their daily lives.
And speaking of Zig, his words still hold up:
“If you don’t like who you are, where you are, or what you are, you can change who you are, where you are, and what you are by changing what goes into your mind.”
That’s both the challenge and the opportunity.
A sincere thank you to the Sandler trainers, speakers, coaches, and support staff who made this event such a success. It was another reminder that when the right people come together with the right intent, meaningful impact follows.
So, how’s your confidence these days? Has it taken a hit? Are you in the process of rebuilding it? Or are you in a strong place right now? Wherever you are, I’d love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail.com. Because when we find our rhythm in the areas that matter most, we’re not just performing better, we’re living a better-than-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager, and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
