Every day, our team is focused on how to help our audience and community reach their full potential in every part of their lives – personal and professional. Building confidence and self-esteem is one of the most essential requirements for success and below we’ve presented some of the conversations we’ve had around how to build confidence.
Donald Plant
In any industry, confidence and self-esteem are extremely important for success. This is especially true in the time of the digital age where we all use social media for so many things. Often, we use it to see other pages that may inspire us, but at the same time also pressure us into asking whether what we are doing and is “good enough”. For a lot of people, this is quite a daunting feeling, especially when you are at the beginning of a new venture, where you have so much to learn and feel like the work will never stop. Read more>>
Joenathan Banks
This is something I still deal with. Every day, I’m getting more comfortable with who I am, what I sound like, and what I look like. Even the strongest people still get scared, and I’m no exception.
For me, developing confidence and self-esteem has been a journey of self-discovery. It started with learning to embrace my unique qualities and acknowledging my strengths rather than focusing on my weaknesses. I remind myself daily that my voice, my perspective, and my presence are valid and valuable. Read more>>
Abby Britt
This is a great question and one that I have not thought much about lately. However, it seems important to revisit where my confidence and self-esteem comes from, and even more relevant at this time of my life.
This year I will turn 50 years old. That sounds like such a big number. How has 50 years of my life flown by that fast? When I look back, it feels like yesterday when I was graduating from High School, or playing college volleyball, or getting into Physical Therapy school, or graduating from PT school, or getting my first “real” job, or marring the love of my life, or becoming a mom! And yet, here I am almost 50 years old with over 24 years of experience being a Physical Therapist, 20 years of marriage, one daughter in college and the other daughter ready to graduate from High School and starting my business at 48 years old. Read more>>
Taylor Budreau
From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to the social media world, knowing full well that it would come with its fair share of online trolls and judgment. I began creating YouTube videos in 8th grade, and what started as a hobby in high school eventually became a part-time pursuit after college. Through the years, I’ve learned that consistently putting myself out there and taking pride in my work has not only helped me grow as a creator but has also significantly boosted my confidence and self-esteem. Despite the challenges, the experience has been incredibly rewarding and transformative, teaching me the value of resilience and self-expression in a space that can sometimes feel unforgiving. Read more>>
Lee Bolden
I’ve been able to develop my self confidence and self esteem from years of trial and error. Since I was very young I’ve always felt and acted different than most kids. I always went against the grain but would be told having my own opinion of standing firm in what I believe in was wrong. As I got older, I realized who I am and the qualities I possess make me unique, and could take me far in anything I do. I started practicing affirmations and manifestation to boost my confidence and strengthen my beliefs. Ever since, things have been working out for me. I’ve been able to create content as a TikTok content creator while maintaining who I am and not “selling out” Read more>>
Sia Fang
For me, confidence and self-esteem were things that I was lucky enough to gain in a more natural way at a very young age. The confidence and self-esteem that came naturally really encouraged me to pursue what I was passion about. After years in fashion design and experiment with all the materials and textile that I wanted to experiment, I was able to produce works that made me challenged and proud. Therefore, I decided to farewell to my very first and oldest passion in life and moved on to explore other things in my professional life. Read more>>
Nicole J. Butler
I was a precocious child, so nature had the initial say in my wiring, but my family nurtured me and indulged my curiosity. I was fortunate to grow up in an environment where I was loved, supported, and encouraged. 3 generations of elders patiently allowed me to pepper them with whatever questions sprouted from my rainforest mind and answered me truthfully in ways that were age-appropriate. My wins were celebrated, my missteps were corrected, and I learned that trying and failing was better than never spreading my wings. I became confident because the people who mattered most to me never intimated that I had a reason NOT to be. Read more>>
Devin Lytle
All my life I’ve been told that I have an “open book” and that I have “big personality,” which always irked me in my quiet moments. Those descriptions always felt slightly critical. Do I need to shrink my personality for particular audiences? Perhaps I should be more mysterious? However, my personality is an amalgamation of topics that interest me, things that make me laugh, and parts of the world that spark curiosity – especially as a child. My personality always felt like a force that naturally occurred, rather than something that I cultivated. Read More>>
Karen Cayetano Leano
Confidence and Self -esteem come from within. Confidence is taking risks and trusting that even if you fail, its ok – it’s still a win that you tried. You gain these from trusting yourself to get things done.
I have an ongoing to-do list. And for the longest time, things would sit on that list – I would have projects/ideas that I would want to execute. But many things came in the way of execution. Whether it was something with the kids, getting sick, feeling tired, maybe a better project seemed more enticing – things would prevent me from completing tasks. On the outside I would be proud for completing those more enticing projects, but at night as I stared at my to-do list, i would berate myself for not completing what I originally intended. Read more>>
Dj Curry
Confidence and self-esteem are not things you’re born with; they’re cultivated through life experiences, conscious effort, and the decision to grow. For me, this journey wasn’t an overnight transformation but a steady climb, shaped by the people I surrounded myself with, the wisdom I sought, and the mindset I committed to building. Read more>>
Kalie Adams
Many years ago I started soap making. I started with melt and pour soap and then transitioned to cold process soap. I love this method the best because I get to choose which clean and natural ingredients I put into my soaps. I then mastered my craft of soap making. With each batch I made, I gained a deeper understanding of the ingredients, the process and the art of blending both science and creativity. As a Christian entrepreneur, I developed my confidence the moment I stepped out on faith and put myself out there.
2 Corinthians 5:7 says “Walk by Faith, not by sight.” God laid this special gift on my heart and I give him all the glory with my soap making! That’s when I launched Kingdom Soaps!
Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Read more>>
Pekio Vergotis
Full disclosure – my confidence and self-esteem are a work-in-progress. Some days I wake up feeling completely competent and other days, I need to talk myself into it. During those times, I use whatever I can – a walk, meditation, cooking, reading, music, etc. – whatever helps me feel grounded and happy and remember who I am. That’s when all of the good things start to line up – a wonderful network, lucrative projects, fulfilling work. Read more>>
Michaela Danihelkova
Everything started from my closest people around me. I never been so confident in What I’m doing. Photography was always my passion. I never think in the past that could be something I could make money from it. It always been about to have fun and be creative . After I become full time photographer it comes from my clients. I think they are the biggest support and also the opportunities Im getting through my work. It really pushing me be better and better. I aways say to people the most important thing is believe in yourself and stay humble. :} Read more>>
Makayla Paganini
I developed it at a very young age. I had no other option besides feeling confident and being proud of who I am. Being able to trust yourself and pulling through for yourself every time builds confidence and self esteem. I’ve spoken about repetition plus emotion before on my platforms and that’s where confidence stems from! Read more>>
Terrie Karam
Right before the lockdown, I was close to burnout. I loved my art, but it wasn’t nourishing my soul. During the lockdown, I had time to reflect and reconnect with my purpose.
In 2021, I began working with a life and work coach who completely changed my perspective. She helped me find confidence in myself and embrace my “healer” side—the part of me that loves creating meaningful connections and helping people feel whole again. Read more>>
Amanda Chum
Building confidence is a continuous journey of learning and self-reflection. At its core, it’s all about your perception and response to the situations you encounter. It’s about embracing failures as learning opportunities and taking actionable steps to progress. As a student, I learned that every critique and every rejected concept is not a personal attack but a chance to improve. Viewing my work as objectively as possible, rather than as a reflection of my worth, is a skill I’m continuously developing. As a designer, consistently practicing my craft is what drives my confidence. Curiosity fuels interest, and I believe constant learning boosts my self-assurance in taste and abilities. It is essential to establish and uphold boundaries in both personal and professional life. It’s the bare minimum to function effectively as a human being. Read more>>
Desean Neal
There’s always been a fire inside me….a drive to create, show love, and fully embrace who I am with passion and courage. As I’ve grown, I’ve realized that confidence and self-esteem were always within me. Sure, there have been moments when they were tested, but with a quick moment of reflection, I’ve always been able to realign, adapt, and come back stronger. Read more>>
Jennifer Jerde
Sometimes I am confident. Sometimes I am not. Early on, I wore confidence kinda like clothes. Really great clothes that wrapped me on the outside and insulated me from my inside. I was able to tap into a vein of faux bravado that worked for a time until I realized that this bullshit is what undermines self esteem. I read in a Brené Brown book that we trust the people who ask us for advice. Think about that for a minute. Not the people who have all the answers. It makes great sense that younger people want to prove themselves. When we are young, we are proving ourselves to ourselves as much as others. I recognize genuine confidence in others. For one, they are not universally confident all the time. They might be gifted in certain ways but to a person, they are open, fallible, delighted in seeing others talents. The minute my sense of me is dialed up too high, its just like Icarus. It’s not too long before I end up on my butt. When I think about the people I work with, we are really good. I find immense confidence and comfort in US. Read more>>
Lily Roman
When I muse on the brains capacity to have endless potential, even an imperfect brain, it gives me great confidence that my thoughts and feelings directly impact what I create. Thus, whether it becomes something considered beautiful or ugly doesn’t really matter, because I’m listen to my creative voice and allowing myself to connect with other humans through the outcome. This fascinates me! Read more>>
Vincenzo Miccichè Hinckley
I believe this is a lifelong journey. Confidence and self esteem, as well as trusting yourself is one of those things that can certainly ebb and flow throughout your life, career, etc. There were times when I was a bit younger that I felt unstoppable with boundless energy and was unfazed by negative feedback or challenges, then times when it held a little more weight and slowed me down a bit. I suppose real success is not faltering permanently.
As for constancy, I can always look to God (for inner resilience) and my family (external) for support and confirmation that I am on the right path and to re-energize my emotional/psychological strength. Two quick stories to illustrate. Read more>>
Henri Mossiat
I think this is such an underrated question. Confidence is not innate, in fact, it’s simple to build confidence within yourself. All one needs is to remember fear doesn’t exist unless we choose for it to exist. Fear- the myth we created to prevent us from change. Simply remember you can change who you are at any second. Think about how you brush by thousands of faces a day all of whom don’t know anything about you. Remember that every moment you can reinvent yourself and with that confidence will come. Read more>>
Cade Curtis
I have developed a strong sense of self-confidence by setting SMART goals that are both achievable and clearly defined, which gives me a sense of direction and accomplishment. Embracing challenges, even tough ones, has taught me resilience and helped me grow through difficult experiences. I consistently practice positive self-talk, reminding myself of my strengths and capabilities, which uplifts my spirit and motivates me. Learning from my mistakes has transformed perceived failures into valuable lessons, allowing me to approach future endeavors with a constructive mindset. Surrounding myself with positive, supportive people has created a nurturing environment that encourages my growth and build self-esteem. Additionally, prioritizing my physical and emotional well-being through self-care has empowered me to face life’s challenges with confidence and a balanced perspective. Read more>>
Talia Dudley
I developed my confidence by making mistakes and taking risks. When you create art, it’s good to make mistakes because sometimes those mistakes become very interesting. You have to learn that about yourself. Take risks, and see which mistakes work and which don’t. Don’t be afraid to fail. Trust your instincts, and know that painting from the heart is the most interesting, even when it feels terrible. I am the most confident when I make art for myself. Read more>>
Jessie Macaw
For me, developing confidence and self-esteem came from consciously spending time on my ‘growing edge’; the area on the outside of my comfort zone. I am not naturally confident and I certainly don’t enjoy being the centre of attention but every time you do something on the edge of your comfort area, the more confident and comfortable you grow. Read more>>
Sh3lter
I would say the most effective way for me to develop my confidence was the people around me, especially my manager. We often have conversations about various topics and experiences along my journey. Essentially, understanding my surroundings and focusing on the things that make me stand out has been crucial. Read more>>
Rubaa J
I built my confidence by doing things that bring me joy and not worrying about other people’s opinions. I also surround myself with friends and family who truly support me and want to see me succeed. Their encouragement has helped me believe in myself and keep pushing forward. Read more>>
Maurice Victor Ii
Developing self esteem and confidence honestly came from continuing to do the work I was made for & constantly learning and growing while doing it. I think when you settle into complacency, your confidence will waver because of a lack of growth. A major proponent to confidence came from allowing others in; by working with others, I have been able to raise the bar with my projects and offerings. Doing everything yourself, you will realize you fall short in certain areas. Once I relinquished the control and started collaborating with people that specialized in the areas I don’t, I saw my work soar. True confidence comes from within however–regardless of if my work was praised or I could source a full crew or not–I still am confident because I know what I was gifted from God and I will always develop this gifting and use it for Him. Read more>>
Lucy Beato
Developing confidence and self-esteem has been a journey shaped by both challenges and victories. One of the most defining moments in my life was coming to this country and starting school without knowing the language. It was incredibly difficult—I felt out of place, struggled to communicate, and faced bullying from classmates. Those experiences could have broken my spirit, but they also became the foundation for my growth. Read more>>
Rex Enriquez
Well we have to start off with what exactly is confidence? It is the known ability to do or know something. I like to figure shit out and I am a doer! Mix those two together and you’ve got someone who has the ability to do anything and find out everything if needed. Read more>>
Sierah Edwards
I developed my confidence first by simply “faking it.” That is, I told myself every single day, in the mirror, when I woke up, that “I am brave, I am strong, and that I can do hard things!” The only person who can build your confidence, is YOU and I had to tell myself this each and every day until I started to believe in myself. Thinking back in my life, about all of the hard things I’ve gotten through and all of the difficulties I’ve overcome – that makes me feel confident. I have been in tough situations that made me grow as a person when all was said and done. Losing my father in my early 20’s was extremely tough, and completely shattered my whole personality, however now I look back at that difficult time and I remember how brave I was. Read more>>
Casey George
Confidence and self-esteem was something I developed early but got better at growing up. I’m a military brat so my family and I moved every 3 years. While it was an adventurous life, there was a lot a struggle that came with it. You don’t have a childhood best friend that you grow up with, you get bullied a lot for being the new kid in school, if you are on the autism spectrum like me it’s extremely hard to fit in, even as an adult. I would say when I got into Martial Arts when I was around 9 or 10 years old the confidence development came around. I took martial arts around the time I moved to Hawaii and endured some bullying that no 4th grade girl should ever deal with. I learned how to defend myself and was taught how to become tough in the face of adversity. I had amazing teachers and masters from different dojos and styles from when I lived in Hawaii, South Carolina, and finally Texas! Read more>>
Dan Neary
Stepping onstage for the first time was definitely a key part of developing my confidence. I was a shy, quiet high schooler and music really opened so many doors for me. I joined my first band in high school, formed a lot of great friendships and relationships as well.
Every time I set foot on a stage in front of an audience, I grew…… When I perform music/play guitar, whether its in my home alone or onstage front of 500 people, I go into a zone. I’m able to tap into a different side of myself, a side that only music truly brings out. The energy I put forth, people would respond to and appreciate. Read more>>
Steven Williams
This is honestly a very tricky question to answer. If someone were to ask if me if I was confident in my abilities, I would say it depends. For example, if someone asked me if I was confident in ability to perform surgery, I would say “no”. But if someone asked me if I was confident in my ability to be mayor of a city, I would say “yes”. Both being a surgeon and a mayor are difficult jobs, with the result of failure being catastrophic, however, I am confident I could do one role and not the other. So as stated, my confidence in my ability to do something depends on what that thing is I’m doing. My confidence stems from me having tried and tried again to succeed in a space I’m passionate about. I love writing and I love public policy. I care deeply about both areas of interest. And because I care so deeply about writing and public policy, I have worked hard to learn as much as I can about each area and as I have learned, my confidence in my own ability has grown. Read more>>
Folake Adebayo
I developed my confidence and self esteem first and foremost from my relationship with God. Growing up as a dark skin Nigerian girl that was constantly getting bullied for my heritage and skin complexion, I always felt less than my peers. This in turn, made me feel very insecure and silenced. Nurturing my relationship with God as a young girl really helped me grow in confidence along with my passion for Beauty and personal care. When I began doing hair and makeup for myself and my siblings/friends around the age of 15/16 I was really able to tap into the creative and empowered version of myself. Once I knew how to do hair and makeup for myself I honestly started to feel invincible because I knew that this skill would transform my life not just through my looks but always in the way that I saw myself as a fearfully and wonderfully made child of God. Read more>>
Ben Roseland
Building my confidence and self-esteem has been a journey marked by both adventures and adversities. Traveling to places like Paris, London, and Barcelona, and taking a solo trip to Beijing, pushed me out of my comfort zone and expanded my horizons. These experiences introduced me to diverse cultures, taught me resilience and self-reliance, and filled my life with unforgettable encounters and sights. Read more>>
Carly Fauth
I developed my confidence and self-esteem through my journey of overcoming challenges, including my battle with triple-negative breast cancer. Pushing through difficult times, like continuing to teach fitness classes and work out during chemo, showed me the strength I never knew I had. Helping others as a fitness instructor and mentor also gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Sharing my story through my book Pray for the Bear and my podcast Chemo Coffee Talk has been empowering, as it connects me with others and reinforces the importance of resilience and authenticity in everything I do. Read more>>
Michael Okon
I’ve always had confidence. There have been moments in my life where it’s waivered but ultimately a law of attraction book, a spiritual book, or quote found online will bring me right back to my personal power of confidence and self-esteem.
I always looked at things in a funny way. I always tried to find humor in everything around me. When you look at your universe in a humorous way, nothing really brings you down. It feels too simple, but looking at life through the lens of comedy will always make you confident. Read more>>
Dan Hine
My self-esteem really comes from the way I was raised. My parents didn’t have a lot of money, and my dad worked multiple jobs just to make sure we had food on the table and clothes to wear. Growing up, we learned to be independent and figure things out for ourselves. My parents always reminded us of a few simple rules to live by: don’t cheat, don’t steal, and don’t lie. They believed that if we stuck to those values, life would reward us in ways we couldn’t even imagine. Those lessons stuck with me and shaped the way I approach life—with honesty, hard work, and a belief that good things come to those who do the right thing. Read more>>
Joanne Vallarella
I’ve never been a very confident person. Growing up, I was very insecure and unsure of myself. I was a competitive figure skater, and, I was always comparing myself to the other skaters, always feeling that I never was as talented as my piers. This carried over into my adult years as well.
When I met my husband, my whole outlook changed. He was very confident and sure, and, he instilled that in me. It took a few years, but, he gave me the courage to try new things, and, not compare myself to anyone else. I was no longer afraid of what people would think of me, and, I would look forward to challenging myself. Read more>>
