Playtimes HK Magazine February 2018 Issue | Page 47

features
classmate’s views is not often viewed in
a positive light,” reflects Moore.
It is not only young teens who
limit themselves with stereotypes.
Moore adds that, “There is an
unconscious bias amongst teachers.
Hard science subject teachers
inadvertently have certain expectations
of a boy’s performance versus a
girl’s performance. They’re not quite
equipped to be able to really cultivate
and maintain girls’ interests in the
subject.”
Creating Change
TWF is filling the social gaps in Hong
Kong through programmes such as
"Girls Go Tech" which empowers girls
to create positive attitude shifts around
technology. “We are building up girls’
confidence around these subjects
through curriculums that are fun and
interactive because it’s something that
everyone can learn,” says Moore.
For Women to Increase
Their Confidence:
1. Practice making decisions – big and
small. Women often ruminate and
over-think situations more than men.
“The ability to make decisions, in a
timely fashion, is a critical expression
of confidence,” according to The
Confidence Code.
The All About You Wellness Centre
is also creating change through healing
methods such as regression therapy.
“This is done through exercises similar
to closed-eye meditation where one
identifies triggers from the past then
reprogrammes the mind through
positive affirmations to her younger self,”
says Samtani.
Through such programmes and
healing exercises, we can cultivate
change. Eliminating gender stereotypes
from childhood will bring profound
gains. Girls and boys alike will have
the freedom and confidence to be the
person they want to be. A society that
embraces an increased confidence
in girls and women will be reflected
in increased productivity and well-
being amongst individuals, societies,
organisations, and nations. Fortunately,
confidence can be acquired. As
parents, teachers, and communities,
we can work on raising self-esteem.
2. “Look at the parts of yourself that did
not feel good enough or acceptable
from your younger self. Without
placing blame on parents, teachers,
or friends, speak to your 'inner child'
and give love and acceptance to those
parts of you that you had rejected,”
says Samtani.
Sleep to Raise
Confidence:
Not only does a night of less sleep
leave us with baggy eyes and a
feeling of lethargy, but according
to Kay and Shipman’s book, The
Confidence Code, it also reduces
one’s confidence. Many studies
have proven that a lack of sleep
is linked to higher anxiety and
lowered esteem in adults as well
as in children. One study which
looked at 11-14 year olds showed
that students who obtained less
sleep than their peers reported
lower self-esteem, grades, and
depressive symptoms. “A calm
brain is the ultimate confidence
tool,” conveys the Confidence
Code assessment.
theconfidencecode.com/
confidence-quiz
3. Try new things and get out of your
comfort zone. Testing your abilities at
new endeavours proves that you can
rely on yourself.
4. Create an action plan. Select an area
in your life, professional or personal,
that you would like to improve on.
Make steps per a timeline, follow
through on each, and celebrate each
small success.
February 2018
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