Fiona Bishop | Self-confidence | The power of goodness

Keeping her dreams for a better future, Fiona ditches her childhood shyness and is building confidence in an extraordinary way.

I was voted the “shyest girl” in my school leaver's yearbook. However, a youth of viewing the world as a quiet bystander brought its own rewards and self-confidence.

Observing others without the luxury of vocal commentary allowed me to learn to truly listen to others with full attention and awareness. This provided me with sensitivity and high levels of emotional intelligence.

Being a quiet child also allowed me to contemplate and mull over things for myself, until I was crystal clear about my principles and dreams. This taught me to trust my own intuition and commit to my values.

From the sea-side town where I grew up, I headed to the city and I:

• Gained an honours degree in Social Science & Media with results in the top 5% of the university.
• Photographed train wrecks, floods, sea rescues and mountain vistas while working as a journalist.
• Travelled the desert.
• Lived amongst the broken glass and spilt blood of the Bronx of outback mining towns.
• Hiked through jungles of Fiji.
• Waded through the corporate mazes of the inner city.
• Had a near death experience in a Kununurra river.
• Spent a decade married to a Wongi man and his (very, very) extended family.
• Became a step-mum to 3 and aunty to hundreds.
• Wrote a book.
• Made some films.
• Worked with Noongars to restore south-west culture & country.

I am 30.

Today, I am the Director of the Ripple Effect Community Enterprise Development, a consultancy developing environmentally and socially sustainable businesses. As well, I work as a human rights/environmental campaigner.

I'm a Non-Indigenous Australian with a lifetime of influential Indigenous family members. I live in Broome, WA.

What I originally saw as the “curse of shyness” did not hold me back, but gave me a unique springboard of quiet confidence that allowed me to follow my dreams and make the world a better place.
 

I have overcome a lack of confidence by observing others doing selfless things for the good of the environment and humanity, with no expectation of payment or return. Women and men who choose to set their morals and values higher than that which society expects and who demonstrate audacious bravery by committing to their dream of how wonderful our world can be - these people make my heart rejoice in the power of human goodness, kindness and responsibility, and inspire me to also strive to be a force for good in our world.
 

What has helped me build my confidence is guidance from Indigenous role models, including members of my family.
 

I like to have self-confidence because it provides courage to stand up for what is right for you, and for what is right for your vision for the world. You know what your truth is – it is safe to follow it. Ignore your detractors who say it can’t be done – and do it anyway. We change the world when we obstinately refuse to let go of our dreams for a better future.

The Ripple Effect Community Enterprise Development can be reached at: PO Box 681, Broome, WA, 6725.

Fiona's Facebook "Save Our Kimberley" causes page. http://www.causes.com/SaveOurKimberley

If you are also shy or have social anxiety we have a special webinar where you can learn how to introduce yourself to strangers at home through your computer: "Introducing yourself confidently".

There are also articles for you to read: "Social anxiety, blushing and sweating".
 

Comments

[Fran]

Wow Fiona! Great story. You have achieved so much in your life so far. You have taught me that quietness (mistaken as shyness?) can be a great positive. What's the old saying? "Still rivers run deep." :-)

Fran Yeoh

[Rachel Green]

Just letting you know Fiona now has the most gorgeous baby boy - congratulations Fiona to you and your family.