Building Confidence from Within

Confidence is something which a lot of us have been told to believe in from an early age - whether by our parents, teachers, or mentors. But confidence can feel elusive. One day we’re brimming with it, and the next, we may find ourselves doubting our abilities. This is a normal part of the journey, but how do we tap into that inner confidence and keep it steady?

This post marks the beginning of a 4-part series where I’ll guide you through the concept of confidence - how it works, what affects it, and practical steps you can take to build and sustain it. By the end of the series, my hope is that you will have both tools and insights to grow your confidence, helping you thrive in both personal and professional spaces.

What is Confidence? At its core, confidence is about trusting yourself - your abilities, judgments, and potential. It’s not just about projecting an image of success to the world; it starts internally, with a belief that you are capable, no matter the challenges ahead.

In fact, studies show that 85% of people worldwide report dealing with low self-esteem at some point in their lives. This highlights the universal nature of the challenge, and why building confidence from within is so critical for personal and professional growth.

Unfortunately, I have been in a position where I have experienced job redundancy which always makes an immense impact on your confidence. As a coach I of course recognise all the symptoms and are working with myself in building and preserving my confidence.

Probably like most people when I I first started my career, I often felt like I had to prove myself constantly. Even when I succeeded, there was that lingering doubt - am I really good enough? Over time, I realised that these feelings are common, and that building confidence is an ongoing process. It’s not something that happens overnight but through consistent self-work.

Root Causes of Low Confidence: Many factors can affect our confidence levels, including:

• Past failures: When past attempts haven’t gone as planned, it’s easy to carry that experience into future endeavours.

• Fear of judgment: Worrying about how others perceive us often prevents us from fully showing up.

• Self-doubt: When we question our worth, skills, or accomplishments, we start to lose trust in ourselves.

However, the good news is that confidence can be built and nurtured. It’s not a fixed trait - it’s a skill.

Shifting Your Mindset to Build Confidence: One of the most powerful ways to shift your confidence is through cultivating a growth mindset - the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. Here are a few strategies that can help:

• Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative self-talk with affirmations that boost your belief in your abilities.

• Visualising Success: Mentally rehearsing success can help you feel more confident when approaching a challenge.

• Celebrate Small Wins: It’s important to acknowledge even the smallest victories. Every step forward counts!

Daily Practices to Cultivate Confidence:

According to a study from WiFi Talents, setting small goals and celebrating progress can boost self-confidence by as much as 40%. This is because accomplishing even minor milestones reinforces positive beliefs about your capabilities.

1. Self-Reflection: Take time at the end of each day to reflect on what went well and how you handled challenges. This reinforces positive behaviour and growth.

2. Gratitude and Affirmation: Start your day by listing what you’re grateful for and affirming your strengths. This rewires your brain for positivity.

3. Set Realistic Goals: Setting small, achievable goals creates a positive feedback loop that boosts confidence as you accomplish each one.

Up for a challenge? I challenge you to pick one practice this week: Either start a gratitude journal, set a small goal you can accomplish, or reflect on a recent success. Write it down and revisit it at the end of the week to see how it impacts your confidence. Then, come back and share your results - how did this practice influence your confidence? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”  Christian D. Larson

Confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process of small, consistent actions that, over time, help you build trust in yourself. By practicing self-reflection, gratitude, and setting achievable goals, you can lay a strong foundation for lasting self-confidence.

Research shows that setting small, realistic goals can increase your confidence by 40%. So what’s one small action you can take today to boost your confidence?