When you put your confidence in external events—such as results or outcomes—you are also setting it up to be shaken by disturbances, setbacks, and rejections. While it might feel more exciting—high highs, low lows—this type of confidence is less resilient. 

One minute, your stock is up and you feel like you can take over the world—the next, your stock is down, and you’re considering selling.

The more you tie your confidence to things within your control—such as your own actions, responses, and your journey—the more resilient it will be. It takes practice to choose to focus on these types of intrinsic events. 

Your stock may be up or down, but you’re not checking it too often. Instead, you’re focusing on what you can do to add more value to the world—with the understanding that some of it will come back to you.