Brad Stevens said, "You build confidence through doing really hard things over and over because that's your focus. You know what you are supposed to do. You do it physically. You do it tough. The game honors it." It means resilience and hard work. Confidence isn't about being perfect, it's the feeling that you are capable. It is having the courage to try, to learn, and to grow from every experience. You aren't born with confidence, you build it. It’s through your actions, thoughts, and beliefs that you start to feel more confident. It is a journey of self-discovery and growth through challenges. 5 Ways To Build Your Confidence 1. Competence: Acquiring skills and expertise in a particular area provides a solid foundation and belief in your abilities. It leads you to feel capable and sure of yourself. As you become more skilled and knowledgeable, you naturally believe in your abilities. By improving with a growth mindset, you create a deep-rooted confidence in your abilities and feel you are capable. 2. Preparation: Preparation gives you a sense of readiness, ownership and control. Thorough preparation grants you ownership over your endeavors and control over your outcomes. It means you have done the work and dove into the details. The confidence derived from being well-prepared allows you to approach challenges with a calm assurance that you've done everything in your power to succeed. 3. Doing Tough Things: As you successfully overcome challenges and push beyond your comfort zone, you build resilience and self-belief. Stepping outside your comfort zone and facing challenges serve as a testament to that. Each time you face adversity head-on and bounce back, you build your confidence. You also build resilience and a track record of wins. 4. Facing Your Fears: Facing your fears gives you courage, self-assurance, and liberation. Gaining the courage to confront your fears is a transformative. It not only liberates you from self-doubt, but also empowers you to take on challenges without hesitation. This mindset makes ready to embrace new opportunities with unwavering confidence. 5. Security and Safety: Give yourself a place that makes you feel safe, comfortable, and where you belong. Creating a safe and nurturing environment for yourself is like tending to your own garden of confidence. When you feel secure and comfortable in your surroundings, you are more willing to take risks and face challenges head-on. This psychological safety provides you with the freedom to explore, the courage to confront obstacles, and the faith that you will be resilient and fine, regardless of the outcome. "Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong." – Peter T. McIntyre

Way to go, Mudcats! Congratulations!

Success is found in the ability to hold on and let go; have a plan but be okay when things get messy; care but not worry; be confident but coachable; be results-driven but process oriented; be selfless but selfish; put your all into what you do but not be defined by it.

Of course, one of @JoshLindblom52’s greatest Purdue accomplishments - those of us lucky enough to witness will never forget - was the appearance of Upside Down Man during a rain delay. An amazing afternoon at Lambert Field.