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On Confidence

By: The School of Life, Alain de Botton
Narrated by: Alain de Botton
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Summary

A thought-provoking essay that teaches us that confidence is not a gift from the gods, but a skill that can be learned.

We spend vast amounts of time acquiring confidence in narrow technical fields: quadratic equations or bioengineering; economics or pole vaulting. But we overlook the primordial need to acquire a more free-ranging variety of confidence - one that can serve us across a range of tasks: speaking to strangers at parties, asking someone to marry us, suggesting a fellow passenger turn down their music, changing the world.

This is a guidebook to confidence, why we lack it and how we can acquire more of it in our lives. On Confidence walks us gently and wryly around the key issues that stop us from making more of our potential.

©2020 The School of Life (P)2020 The School of Life
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What listeners say about On Confidence

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Excellently written and presented

Excellently written and presented. I believe i will replay it and share it with all my heart to loved ones.

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Fantastic.

Very helpful book. Great narration. Would highly recommend giving this a read. Always enjoy their work.

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Already much more confident :)

Alain's voice is like a melody. The western philosophy references make the guides and explanations familiar. I wish it was a bit longer book but I enjoyed it very much

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Another hit

The school of life regularly finds ways to extract deep meaning from aspects of our life where we haven't given a second thought to. The aspects where we feel comfortable and unaware of our shortcomings.

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I liked it...

This was a refreshing & sometimes jolly way to get advice on your self image. Definitely worth a listen (without getting "Arrogant" about it.. ☘️👍

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Short and to the point

Much resonated. Alain voice is soothing. I got some points from it. Will try more of the audio books from school of life

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Very easy to listen to

A really interesting, amusing and actually very helpful listen. I enjoyed it very, very much!

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A refreshing, holistic, funny and essential perspective on confidence

I personally needed to hear everything that Alain De Botton has written on confidence. He debunks the myths and stories we have been told as a collective and in our individual family systems; he draws on fascinating historical references while making them relevant to the 21st century and he makes you laugh out loud! An essential listen for anyone lacking in confidence.

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A great read

Confidence is a skill that we acquire and develop through practice and not something we are born with.

The points de Botton is making are easily understood and he presents them in every day clear language.

Also, it is easy to listen to and I adore de Botton’s clear and soothing voice.

Strongly recommend

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Some satire, says what most people think

Not that great, some parts were decent. Overall for the price and only 1 hr of listening not really worth it for me.

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