Indifference > Confidence

RSD has this thing about indifference and confidence. I never really understood it until I read this sentence from someone who took the Superconference: “don't aim for confidence, aim to be indifferent to the outcome.”

Ping!! Light switch turns on.

People of great value do not let others affect their emotional state—especially those who have lesser value. Indifference.

Let’s imagine you’re at the Honolulu International Airport, waiting for your flight to Johannesburg, and you see Anthony Hopkins. Being such an awesome actor, you go up to him and say, “Mr. Hopkins, I think you’re one of the greatest actors to ever live.”

Now what does Anthony “The Mutha-Fuckin-Academny-Award-Winner” Hopkins say?

“Thank you.”

And you walk off thinking, damn that was awesome, I just met Anthony Hopkins—he’s a bad ass.

Now, imagine instead, Anthony Hopkins responds with, “Really? You’re kidding? Do you really think I’m one of the greatest actors to ever live?” (as his face lights up with delight) “Wow, that really makes me feel good.” (as he obviously gets progressively happier).

You’d walk away thinking, what the fuck? This guy’s a tool.

People of value respond to others with indifference. By responding to the complement with a slight “Thank you” and no other physical response, Hopkins keeps his value. He’s such a bad ass that people give him complements all the time and another one really means nothing. He just says “thank you” because that’s the polite thing to do.

Now imagine you’re talking to girl.

Yeah, this one. She gives you hella IOI’s (indicators of interest), even says “let’s get out of here and go to my place.”

How do you respond?

Well, DO NOT CHANGE YOUR EMOTIONAL STATE!!! (even though in your head, at least for the first few times, you’re ecstatic) In the 80’s they called it “play it cool.”

Why not start gleaming with ecstasy? Because girls do this to you all the time. If you start jumping up and down and smiling, she’s going to think you’re a tool. She’s going to think this never happens to you, i.e. you’re a loser.

Think: “how would Anthony Hopkins react?”

Hopkins would say, “aight let’s go” . . . with a slight smirk.