CONFIDENCE: The Silent Anchor of Every Shipping Professional

 📖 CONFIDENCE: The Silent Anchor of Every Shipping Professional

🧭 Based on insights from “100 Things Successful People Do” + Reflections from Ketan Sir
By Dattaram Walvankar | @ShipOpsInsightsWithDattaram

 

Intro: The Story That Resonates at Sea 🌊

I remember a young officer once told me on deck, "Sir, I’m scared of making mistakes. What if I’m wrong?"
I looked him in the eye and said, "Confidence is not about knowing everything. It’s about trusting that you’ll figure it out—no matter what!"

And that’s what today’s blog is about: Confidence—your inner GPS in the stormy oceans of life and career. 🌪️🧭

 

🔑  What is Confidence? It’s Trusting Yourself ⚓

Confidence isn’t loud. It doesn’t shout. It quietly says—“I got this.”

It starts with a simple but powerful question:
👉 Do I trust myself and my abilities?

When you do, storms feel like challenges, not threats.
When you don’t, even calm waters feel like danger.

📌 Real Talk: Confidence is built internally—not from medals, likes, or applause. It’s believing in yourself even when others don’t see it yet.

🧠 Captain’s Insight: Confidence is like your compass. It won't always give you answers, but it will keep you on course.

✅ Action Tip: Start journaling your small wins—notice what you did well today. Confidence grows through awareness.

 

🌿  Confidence Begins with Gratitude, Not Comparison 💚

Gratitude is your first mate; Comparison is your storm.
When you constantly chase what others have, you forget your own strengths.

I’ve seen cadets compare their journeys with others—and in doing so, they sink their own spirit.
But those who pause and say, "I am grateful for today’s opportunity"… they rise.

💬 "What you have, you are grateful for—that’s where confidence begins."

✅ Action Tip: Write down 3 things you’re grateful for every morning before you check your phone 📱.

💡 You’ll notice a shift—from anxiety to assurance.

 

🧠 Captain’s Reflection: Every grateful seafarer I’ve mentored has ended up stronger and calmer than the one who only focused on promotions or praise.

 

🚫  Seeking Social Approval? That’s a Trap!

Let me ask you this:
Do you feel confident only when others praise you?
If yes, you're giving away your power. ⚠️

💬 “Duniya ka sabse bada rog—kya kahenge log?”
We’ve all heard it. But do we stop living because of it?

🔍 Here's the truth:

• Someone will always think you're too confident.
• Someone else will say you're not enough.
• You can't please them all.

✅ Captain’s Command: Be your own approval system. That’s how captains are made.

 

🧠  You Don’t Need to Know Everything to Be Confident

⚓ Confidence is NOT knowing all the answers—it’s trusting that you’ll figure it out.

📅 In 1920, Google didn’t exist.
📲 In 2025, we can access anything—but still feel lost.

The truth? The confident ones are not the all-knowing ones. They’re the ones who don’t freeze in chaos.

✅ Real Strategy: When you don’t know, say: “Let me check and get back to you.” That’s maturity—not weakness.

 

🚀  Real Confidence is Being READY, Not Being PERFECT

💬 "It's being ready for anything that gives confidence—not perfection."

⚙️ I’ve seen officers freeze because they thought they had to know everything. But the best ones? They stay calm under pressure and say: “We’ll handle it.”

Confidence means:

• 🛠️ Practicing regularly
• 🔄 Adapting to the unknown
• 💪 Strengthening your emotional core

✅ Challenge: Face small fears daily. It builds your muscle of readiness.

 

🙅‍♂️  Don’t Waste Time Convincing Others

🎉 Even at weddings, someone will say: “The biryani was cold.”

Same with life—you can’t satisfy every soul on deck.

💬 “Kuch na kuch kami nikalti hai.”

If your confidence depends on external applause, your growth will always be limited.

✅ Lesson from the Ocean: Focus on your direction, not their opinions.

 

💬  True Confidence? It's Saying ‘I’ll Figure It Out’

Someone asks a tough question.
You freeze. Heart races. Mind blank.

What if you said instead:
👉 “That’s a great question. I’ll get back to you on that.”

🌱 That’s real confidence—not panic, but poise.

📌 Confidence is not loud. It’s the quiet assurance that “I’ll learn, grow, and come back stronger.”

 

 

🔚 Final Reflection: Confidence is Built Daily – Not Gifted Once

🎯 Confidence doesn’t arrive fully formed. It’s a habit.
It’s a choice.

✅ Trust yourself
✅ Stay grateful
✅ Focus inward
✅ Face fear
✅ Stop chasing approval
✅ Stay curious and ready

 

🌟 Captain’s Mantra for Today

🗣️ "I am prepared. I am enough. I believe in myself. And that’s more than enough to lead."

 

💬 Found this helpful?
💙 Like, 💬 comment with “I choose confidence”, and 🔁 share this with someone in shipping who needs a boost!

👨‍✈️ Follow @ShipOpsInsightsWithDattaram for more power-packed reflections to grow as a leader at sea and in life. 🌊⚓