I admit it. When people talk sh☆t, I use it as motivation. I used it to lose weight. I’ll use it to run tonight and I’ll use it to memorize lyrics tonight.
But I also know these said people are idiots and my confidence intimidates each of them.
I want you to be confident too. When I met Harry Connick Jr, he had it. He really had it.
“Confidence carries the room” my British friends tell me, and Americans have it in Spades. We don’t deserve it, but we have it, so use it.
Or lose it.
I wasn’t spoiled with money, but I got really really lucky with my parents – two unique people that are still in love that told me as a “mixed race” individual that can pass, that I should carry myself like I have a value that has nothing to do with money.
Broke. Rich. 300 lbs, 200 lbs. Same confidence.
It triggers certain people. It’s like a litmus test. Some people really got angry that I was that “overweight” and that confident.
Maybe I have a chip on my shoulder…but it’s a fun one. I love walking on stage, with a 6 pack or my belly out.
You know the guy on a survellience camera that walks into a 7-11 and just acts like he’s supposed to be there, smiles at the clerk and wheels out the cash machine.
I do that every time I hit the stage.
Because that’s my job. And it’s the job I want. I don’t deserve it. Nobody owes me nothing.
But you owe it to yourself to be confident. Sure you gotta practice. Work at it. Allen Iverson had the swag but he was sure wrong when his phone stopped ringing about practice.
The greatest hustle is actually being prepared, which I struggle at, but I try. I really do.
But when you have that confidence, and you really believe in what you’re saying, watch the people that can’t handle it.
Don’t con anyone. It’s called a Confidence man. Don’t be that guy. Be genuine.
But watch. Because how people react to you says more about them that it will ever say about you.
When fake people realize you’re for real, you can watch em’ flinch.
Nobody knows you. Nobody knows the point that you’ll quit. Only you do.
And that’s a powerful thing.
That’s how a boxer beats a better boxer. That’s why boxers and basketball coaches say,
“Never let a coward get brave.”
Because when you hit three shots in a row, people start getting nervous.
…and that’s when certain people start missing.
Ball is Life.
The truth is being clutch isn’t about getting better in the final minute or being better in the opening seconds. It’s that certain people get worse under pressure, but it’s not your fault.
Be a great teammate. Help people that aren’t intimidated win the room.
Look at Larry Bird. That pimple faced kid had a confidence that he demanded the World must see. He made people better. He didn’t always win. But he always delivered.
…and he drove a lot of people mad. But at the end of the day, he took the last shot, and said,
“F☆ck those people.”
Now I’m gonna’ run.
– Musician and writer Davin Michael Stedman has many ventures, such as the AMAZING blog, 100milesofmusic.com. Davin’s recent song has become a global earworm and Caribbean dancehall hit. Listen here on Reggaeville: DAVIN MICHAEL STEDMAN & ANTHONY RED ROSE – FREE YOUR MIND FEAT. SLY & ROBBIE WITH LENKY MARSDEN. The video is now available on Youtube: Tuff Gong Television. His single with British band Sherlock Soul is available here.
