Confidence is a superpower that can radically transform our lives. The journey toward building greater confidence is not easy, but the return on the investment is immeasurable. When we are plagued by self-doubt and insecurities, it is like a heavy anchor that prevents us from reaching our full potential. When we effectively overcome our self-doubt, we unleash our inner potential and live a life of fulfillment and purpose.

Confidence is not about being flawless and having all of the answers; it is about our ability to believe in ourselves despite our imperfections. Confidence is the belief in our gifts, talents, skills, and ability to succeed. It is closely intertwined with our self-esteem and overall sense of self-worth.

Childhood experiences, social interactions, and personal achievements all influence our level of confidence. Comparing ourselves to others, setting unrealistic standards, criticism, and failure can all chip away at our sense of security. We can bolster our confidence with positive feedback and validation from other people. 

Self-doubt is the antithesis of confidence. Those voices in our heads that incessantly beat the drums of failure, telling us that we will never be good enough, never succeed, etc can paralyze us, preventing us from taking the risks required to fully pursue our goals. This perpetuates imposter syndrome, leading us to believe that we are frauds despite all of the evidence to the contrary.  It can even manifest physically, leading to anxiety, stress, and even depression. It sabotages relationships, career prospects, and any prospects for a fulfilling life. 

Building confidence is a gradual process. It requires greater self-awareness, patience, and lots of practice. There are several things that we can do to begin to cultivate self-assurance.

First, we have to manage those negative voices in our heads. Negative beliefs fuel our self-doubt, so we need to replace that criticism with compassion, affirmations, and reminders of our past achievements, strengths, and successes.

Second, we need to continually visualize our success. By taking the time to meditate daily, and envision our success and how good it will feel once we have attained our goals, we will boost our confidence and motivation. 

Third, it will be helpful to break our goals into clear, manageable steps, continuing to focus on our progress instead of our imperfections. We must also remember to celebrate the small victories along the way. Keeping a success journal that documents our achievements (no matter how small) is incredibly helpful. It is a continual reminder of who we are vs. the picture that self-doubts attempt to paint in our heads.

Fourth, we have to practice stepping out of our comfort zone. Growth is rarely comfortable, so learning to embrace new challenges, taking calculated risks, and learning from failures is imperative if we wish to learn and grow stronger.  Failure is a part of life; it should always be viewed as an opportunity for growth. We must learn to reframe, looking at challenges and obstacles as opportunities instead of punishments.

And, in the process, we should take extreme self-care in continuing to nurture our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Regular exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep, and continuing to engage in activities that bring us joy are all important. As part of that self-care, we should also be mindful to only surround ourselves with people who will uplift and encourage us.

Self-doubt will continue to rear its ugly head occasionally, but if we continue to effectively navigate our challenges in real-time, we can rebuild and maintain our confidence.

Success or sabotage? We have to believe in our success before we can achieve it. You are capable, worthy, and deserving of success.

Is this going to be an incredible day? What kind of day are you expecting?