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How to use evidence to build confidence

How to use evidence to build confidence

In this issue: The possibility chain of evidence, the minimum viable capture, why it's not about the destination or the journey, and the difference between the arrogant mind and the humble mind.

PJ Milani
December 30, 2025

🤔 INTERESTING

Visual metaphor by milaniCREATIVE.art showing a progression of traffic lights representing self-doubt and persistence. The image follows a repeated loop: a red light labeled “I can’t do this” followed by a green light labeled “But you did.” This sequence occurs twice, building toward a final moment, another red light paired with the familiar doubt, and a final white-framed signal reading “But you will,” this time glowing green. The illustration captures the cycle of fear, effort, and proof, reminding us that past wins light the way forward.

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How do you breakthrough your limits?

For years, runners believed the human body couldn't run a mile in under four minutes. Doctors said it was physically impossible!

Then on May 6, 1954, British runner Roger Bannister ran it in 3:59.4.

But here’s the crazy part: 46 days later, John Landy from Australia did it in 3:58.0. By year's end, three more runners beat the “impossible” 4-minute mile.

Nothing changed physically, except belief.

I love this story because whenever someone does the "impossible,” others see themselves in that someone.

“I can't" → "they did"
"They did" → "I might"
"I might" → "I will"

It's like a possibility chain of evidence. Of course, your "four-minute mile" might look different. Maybe it's writing that post and hitting publish. Or speaking up in meetings. Or just facing the day.

And it works both ways. You might need someone else's proof to believe in what you can do. Someone else needs your proof to believe in what they can do.

Either way, you're part of this chain.

Break your barriers. Not just for you.
For everyone watching who thinks they can't.

(if you like this idea, check out my visual for The Stockdale Paradox)

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📐 DESIGN

When you brainstorm visual ideas, it’s okay to be fast, messy, and even incomplete! The most important thing → get it down on paper and out of your head. I call this the “minimum viable capture.”

My notebooks are full of chicken scratches often filled more with words than sketches. They look like this:

Brainstorm sketch of complaining visual.

Complaining visual (brainstorm)

Brainstorm sketch of Stockdale Paradox mental model.

Stockdale Paradox (brainstorm)

And they eventually turn into this:

Final version of Stockdale Paradox visual.

The point is to avoid being precious with your sketches (especially if it’s preventing you from working out the ideas in your head).

By the way, if you’re ready to take the first step to translate your ideas to visuals, Thinking in Visual Metaphors starts in a couple weeks! Enrollment closes soon!

🔮 ENCHANTING

Visual metaphor by milaniCREATIVE.art showing a horizontal bar graph labeled “Happiness You Feel.” Three bars are stacked vertically, each representing a different source of happiness. The smallest bar, in red, is labeled “focusing on the destination.” The middle-sized yellow bar reads “focusing on the journey.” The longest bar, in green, says “focusing on the people you travel with,” and features two simple heroes walking hand-in-hand along its top edge. This visual highlights how relationships, more than goals or progress, contribute to deeper happiness.

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The Efficiency Trap

The more efficient you get, the more you can get done, right?

But does “success” just boil down to getting the most done and as fast as possible? Hmm. Depends how you define success.

Personally, I’m burning out trying to be more efficient. So as we gear up for 2026, I’m trying something new → Slooowing dooown. I call it “bullet-time productivity” 😬

Instead of doing more, I’m noticing more, feeling more, appreciating more. And the number one thing I’m loving more is really seeing the people who’re next to me on the journey.

The older I get, the more I just want to spend every minute around the people I love.

Wishing you and yours safety and health, wondrous journeys, and well-earned time with the people who make you happiest this New Years! ❤️

🧠 ANALOGY

Visual metaphor by milaniCREATIVE.art showing two water jars placed under running faucets. On the left, the jar is open and fills steadily, labeled “Humility.” On the right, the jar is tightly sealed, causing water to spill everywhere, labeled “Arrogance.” The illustration conveys how an open mindset leads to growth, while a closed one leads to missed opportunities.

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A humble mind vs an arrogant mind

🤓 WHAT I’M READING NOW

PJ holds the book "The Next Conversation" at a coffee shop.

“The Next Conversation” by Jefferson Fisher

I first bought “The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More” by Jefferson Fisher because my buddy, Janis Ozolins, was involved in the book illustrating some awesome visuals. But after getting into it, I found Fisher’s tips very practical.

What I adored about the book is the ideas aren’t theoretical. They’re things you can apply almost immediately in your next discussion with a colleague or partner. And I am in love with the whole premise: the goal of argument is not to win (which honestly, does it ever feel like winning?), but to get to the next conversation.

I also liked the tips on building confidence in your speaking. I illustrated a few visual reminders of my favorites below:

A visual by milanicreative.art on building confidence through asserting yourself.

The more you assert yourself, the more confident you feel.

A visual by milanicreative.art on comparing how to give eye contact and how not to give eye contact.

End the sentence with eye contact.

A visual by milanicreative.art that shows a graph on the ideal speed of pacing of your speech.

The pace of your speech has a Goldilocks Zone.

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How to use evidence to build confidence

In this issue: The possibility chain of evidence, the minimum viable capture, why it's not about the destination or the journey, and the difference between the arrogant mind and the humble mind.

🤔 INTERESTING

How do you breakthrough your limits?

Sponsored

📐 DESIGN

🔮 ENCHANTING

The Efficiency Trap

🧠 ANALOGY

A humble mind vs an arrogant mind

🤓 WHAT I’M READING NOW

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