The Confidence Gap Audiobook By Russ Harris, Steven Hayes PhD - foreword cover art

The Confidence Gap

A Guide to Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt

Preview
Try for $0.00
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The Confidence Gap

By: Russ Harris, Steven Hayes PhD - foreword
Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.95

Buy for $19.95

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Too many of us miss out on opportunities in life because we lack self-confidence. Whether it's public speaking, taking on a leadership role, or asking someone for a date, there are situations in which we just don't feel equipped to handle the challenges we face. Russ Harris offers a surprising solution to low self-confidence, shyness, and insecurity: Rather than trying to "get over" our fears, he says, the secret is to form a new and wiser relationship with them. Paradoxically, it's only when we stop struggling against our fearfulness that we begin to find lasting freedom from it. Drawing on the techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a cutting-edge form of cognitive-behavioral therapy, The Confidence Gap explains how to: Free yourself from common misconceptions about what confidence is and how to build it; transform your relationship with fear and anxiety; clarify your core values and use them as your inspiration and motivation; use mindfulness to effectively handle negative thoughts and feelings.

©2011 Russ Harris (P)2014 Audible Inc.
Anxiety Disorders Mental Health Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Self-Esteem Well-being Essentials Inspiring Thought-Provoking Self Development
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_T1_webcro805_stickypopup

Editorial review


By Seth Hartman, Audible Editor

THE CONFIDENCE GAP HELPS YOU GROW AT YOUR OWN PACE

In a sea of compelling and well-researched books focused on self-betterment, The Confidence Gap offers one of the most earnest and achievable goals. In terms of pure personal impact, Russ Harris’s words left a strong impression on me and continue to affect my life.

I tend to be pretty skeptical when authors attempt to change my mindset. When it comes to books that make promises like this, I am more of a "guilty until proven innocent" type of guy. This book, however, really did reframe some of my most foundational qualities. Adopting clinically proven techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dr. Harris seeks to rewrite our relationships with our own anxieties and limitations.

A psychotherapist and a medical doctor, Dr. Harris believes that we are misusing what he considers to be some of our most useful instincts. He advises that attempting to apply brute force to insecurities will generally not only end in failure and frustration, but can even create a worse relationship to that particular feeling. At first, I did not understand where he was taking this point, but Harris quickly offers an elegant solution. Rather than seeing my weaknesses as a burden, I could instead apply them as assets to tackle life’s greatest obstacles. This is no snake oil pitch, as all of Dr. Harris’s claims are backed up by verified Acceptance and Commitment Therapy research.

Dr. Harris’s pragmatic approach to self-development really resonated with me. I am not the kind of person who believes in quick fixes, and that is not what The Confidence Gap offers. Rather than relying on a gimmicks and, ultimately, skimming the surface of self-confidence, Harris challenged me to look within myself, identify what I believe is holding me back, and then make it my ally. As I know from experience, this process requires work—luckily, this book comes with plenty of exercises to help its many lessons sink in. After investing time and effort in The Confidence Gap, I have found that I look at my own limitations with a deeper understanding and with something resembling fondness.

While any fan of self-development media will likely enjoy this book, I think this is an especially good one for skeptics like me. Dr. Harris makes no bones about some of life's most difficult hurdles. He knows that there are countless self-help titles out there, and he does not attempt to compete with them by spewing the same mantras we have all heard countless times. This is self-development for people who recognize their blemishes and personal hang-ups. Rather than seeking to fix your life in one go, Harris will guide you to instill values that are designed to help build confidence from the ground up.

Continue reading Seth's review >

Featured Article: The Audible Essentials—The Top 100 Well-Being Listens of All Time


We assembled our editors, scoured listener reviews, polled our most-trusted colleagues, and listened our ears off to bring you this list of 100 must-listen well-being titles on Audible. Whether you’re looking to get organized, stay motivated, find creative inspiration, or relieve stress, these audiobooks and podcasts are packed with insights from self-development and wellness experts to help you take the next step—or the first—in your personal journey.

Practical Advice • Mindfulness Techniques • British Accent • Actionable Exercises • Transformative Approach
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  

Any additional comments?

I have suffered with anxiety from a very early age. I do not mean to boast, but am one of those annoying people who seems to have it all, the looks, the great job, the lovely wife & house but I have suffered crippling anxiety. It has forced me to drink, take drugs & for 30 years put on my stage face. This has done little but take pieces out of me. I used to scream & even cry uncontrollably in my sleep, any social event I needed to be bolstered by at least a few drinks before I went out. Now I have made real progress. I am by no means 'normal' but I now have the tools to deal with life. A wonderful book with great narration. If I was you I would buy the print version, if not be prepared to take lots of notes. A wonderful book.

MY LORD HAVE I SUFFERED

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

using the theory and methods of the most effective means of development and overcoming anxiety and depression and low self-esteem (ACT and mindfulness), Russ Harris really knows how to write like he's talking to you.

useful, evidence-based, simply told

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The narrator was awesome! The information was what I needed for starting up my new business.

ACT! This book was a God send

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

a refreshing new angle on all the personal development stuff. These new ideas make so much sense really shed some light on things I couldn't figure out

game changer

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Great book. I have been reading self help books for 30 years and have written my own. This is easily one of the best. Get this book.

Kendall Handy, M.D.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Occasionally you come across a book that has such wonderful insights that the human race as a whole would be much better if they all read it. This is one such book. It puts the run-of-the-mill "Self Help" book to shame - it has real advice that will really help. Yes, this is the real article.

It's like an instruction manual on life!

This is a book that everyone should read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This book inspired me to take notes and bookmark sections along with downloading the worksheets. Really provided some key tips on refining ones focus on what is truly important. The author comes across as very humble which adds to the credibility.

Valuable resource for refining ones focus

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This was an incredible book! It is engaging, thought-provoking, and I found myself excited to listen to it. The narration was fantastic and engaging as well! I have already begun to utilize the techniques in this book with a positive impact in my life. I am very interested in other books by this author!

phenomenal

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I enjoyed this book. It has helped me better understand my anxiety and self-doubt while also providing helpful tips to address them. Will definitely have to read again.

Good takeaways

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

As soon as I finished reading this book I wanted to start it all over again from the beginning it’s an excellent book

Read it again

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews