Chapter 02
The General's Household
General Epanchin lived in his own house near the Litaynaya. Besides this large residence—five-sixths of which was let in flats and lodgings—the general was owner of another enormous house in the Sadovaya bringing in even more rent than the first. Besides these houses he had a delightful little estate just out of town, and some sort of factory in another part of the city. General Epanchin, as everyone knew, had a good deal to do with certain government monopolies; he was also a voice, and an important one, in many rich public companies of various descriptions; in fact, he enjoyed…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Power Moments
Think of two recent situations: one where you felt you had to prove yourself, and another where you felt naturally confident. Write down what was different about your mindset and behavior in each situation. What made the difference between performing power and embodying it?
Consider:
- •Notice how much energy each approach required
- •Consider how others responded to your authentic versus performed self
- •Think about which version of you felt more sustainable long-term
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone's authentic presence surprised you. What did they do differently than people who try to impress? How did it change your view of real confidence?
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