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. <br><br>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. <br><br>Drawing on the techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a cutting-edge form of cognitive-behavioral therapy, <i>The Confidence Gap</i> explains how to:  <br> <br>   • Free yourself from common misconceptions about what confidence is and how to build it <br>   • Transform your relationship with fear and anxiety <br>   • Clarify your core values and use them as your inspiration and motivation <br>   • Use mindfulness to effectively handle negative thoughts and feelings.