Confidence can open doors and is at the heart of so many amazing success stories across industries and disciplines and so we’ve always been interested in learning how we can help our readers and community members increase their confidence and self-esteem. Below, you’ll find highlights of some of the great conversations we’ve had on this topic.
Agatha Wright
]The foundations of a thriving and prosperous career are built from the bedrock of confidence and a strong sense of self-worth. As entrepreneurial spirits and driven professionals, we often find ourselves seeking affirmation from those in our circles. However, the profound truth lies in recognizing that we are the only ones capable of providing that much-needed validation to ourselves. Read more>>
Shaun Grant
I was fortunate enough to develop confidence and self esteem from directly loving and accepting myself unconditionally, as well as the realization that my life, my talents, my wisdom and experiences possessed enormous value. It created a belief that helped me to understand that everything that I went through in life was for a purpose, and I could embrace all of it entirely. I also found confidence and self-esteem through consistent positive self talk, honoring and expressing my emotions, and meditation that allowed me to connect with the highest version of myself, the Divine power and essence within. Read more>>
Vasilina Mikhaylova
I believe that confidence grows with time and knowledge. In high school, I was an extremely shy person, fearful of public speaking and expressing my opinions, as I thought people would judge me. But, with time, I stopped trying to impress others and focused on impressing myself. In other words, I began caring less about others’ judgments and embarked on a path of self-appreciation — my opinion matters, my skills are strong, and my experience is valid. I’ve invested a significant amount of time in becoming a better artist, so I’m going to stop doubting my artistry and show the world what I’ve learned over these years. Read more>>
Thelma Espina
Overcoming imposter syndrome has been an ongoing journey for me as a fashion designer. I have learned to acknowledge and appreciate the unique skills and perspectives that I bring to the table. One aspect that sets me apart is my ability to combine my Guatemalan culture with modern luxury in my designs. Being from Guatemala, I have a deep appreciation for handwoven textiles, which have a rich cultural significance and history. Read more>>
Emma Lyons
Low self-esteem has honestly been a lifelong struggle up until I started my art career. I grew up loving the performing arts, a world that can easily be toxic with competition and where a person’s self-worth is directly connected with what you can do and how you look. I always believed I wasn’t good enough, that I didn’t deserve to reach my goals because there was always someone more talented/pretty/experienced than I was. I was rejected for nearly every role or solo I’d ever wanted. Read more>>
Reshada Pullen-Jireh
I come from a very encouraging family. My dad had me and my siblings chanting affirmations long before we could read. Our elders expected great things from us, celebrated our wins, supported our dreams, and gave us strategies to improve when needed. Knowing that we could do all things through Christ, that God is no respecter of persons, and that wisdom was only a prayer away set me up to know that if I had a good vision, that there was always a way to take action to make things come to pass. Approaching life as if I had to happen to life, instead of it happening to me has served me well. Read more>>
Sydney Welch
As a creative, it’s really just you, your art, and your confidence that carries you through life. My confidence has grown overtime due to my past experiences and the lessons I’ve obtained through them. The more I create, the more I’ve realized that there’s nobody else out there who can do what I do and how I do it. Respectfully. I’ve also been blessed to be surrounded by so many people who genuinely believe in me and the work that I do. They’re not afraid to pour into me, the way I pour into them. Read more>>
Amber Gist
I believe that confidence and self-esteem are built over time. It’s a process of acknowledging your strengths, learning from experiences, and being kind to yourself along the way. Here is what I has helped be develop confidence and self-esteem: Embrace Learning and Growth: Recognize that every experience, whether it’s a success or a challenge, is an opportunity to learn. This mindset has helped me view obstacles as stepping stones to personal and professional development, rather than setbacks. Read more>>
Megan Nicole
My confidence and self-esteem was not always deep rooted. I can recall being called weird and being made fun of at all ages of my life, including where I am at now. The pivotal moment that made me not care about what others think was when I was in my teenage years. I became very interested in an alternative lifestyle, one where we grow our own food, use holistic medicine, ground ourselves with the earth, and practice more natural elements of life versus the traditional mainstream efforts. Read more>>
Rachael Adams
“If you could see yourself through my eyes, it would change your world,” my husband Bryan told me years ago. I honestly don’t remember the circumstances surrounding his profound statement, but I imagine it was another conversation in which he was trying to help me believe in myself. Insecurity has been the thorn in my side for as long as I can remember. But, because of my loved one’s belief in me, I’ve taken steps of faith I never dreamed I would. One of the things I never would have believed I’d do is be a podcast host. Read more>>
DL Pettigrew
I would have to say it came from my parents encouraging me daily to believe that I was special, and that God who created me had big things for me to do. My mother was really behind believing in me to the point that she even had strong words with a high school senior counselor that told me and her that I wasn’t college material. I had not done well on the senior placement exam. My mother told him he was wrong and that I was going to college that we would find away and we did. Read more>>
Ryan Jerome
Over the course of several years, my confidence has undergone a profound transformation. It has been a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and embracing the unique qualities that define who I am. Instead of comparing myself to others, I have learned to appreciate my flaws as gifts. I have surrounded myself with individuals who genuinely uplift and inspire me. I have shed the weight of toxic relationships, allowing me to cultivate the best version of myself. This process has significantly contributed to my personal growth and ability to answer interview questions with depth and sincerity. Read more>>
Brittney McLain
As a Pro Makeup Artist, I am the first line of helping others with their own self-esteem and self confidence. There is a lot to be said for that and a small amount of pressure there. I learned quickly that confidence, for me at least, comes from being knowledgeable in my skill and craft and fine tuing it over the years. When I learn, research and study the science, anatomy, etc, I know I can execute what I was set out to do. Read more>>
Tiffany Stewart
My confidence and self-esteem are rooted in knowing who I am outside of what I do. In other words, I don’t place my worth and value in my skillset or my accomplishments. I understand my worth and value are innate, and enhancing who I am through a commitment to my personal development and growth contributes to me being a high-value woman; my assets and the return on investment I get on that are just by-products of that. Read more>>
Robert Mack
1. I placed more confidence in confidence itself. 2. I started a Daily Brag Book or Daily Self-Love Journal. 3. In that book or journal, I listed what I genuinely loved or liked about myself. 4. I tried not to think about, talk about, or focus on what I didn’t love or like about myself. 5. I continued this until it became automatic. 6. I only read, listened, and watched material that supported this effort. Read more>>
Sanne Vander
When it comes to being confident I always say I use the quote ‘fake it till you make it’. For some people this has such a negative connotation, but for me it’s a form of empowerment. We all have off days, we all experience situations in which we feel insecure, but the key is to remain confident, even if that confidence doesn’t feel completely natural yet. Read more>>
Drasko V
I’ve learned that authentic confidence can only be built through experience. Every personal, creative, and business challenge in my life has been an opportunity for growth and self-development. These experiences have enabled me to more authentically represent myself and my ideas. More experience results in less fear of communicating ideas or engaging further in one’s own concepts and initiatives. Read more>>
Stella Tharin
I’ve never been a super confident person. I’ve always struggled with self-esteem issues about my body, how I look, how I talk or how I do things. I always compared myself or my artwork to others and would be so hard on myself that I wasn’t doing better. When I jumped into being a self-employed artist I had no idea what I was doing. Covid had just torn through the world and I didn’t want to be back working in a restaurant. Read more>>
T.J. Legler
I developed these qualities over years of experience in practicing my craft and selling my wares/doing public art events. In the beginning of my career, I was very nervous about selling myself. Lightpainting in general is a very rare art form so beginning to explain it in a way that everyone could understand was a challenge. Read more>>
Michele Williams
It started with colleagues and friends complimenting me on my style and sharing the resources that could provide similar clothing to them. That wasn’t enough and they asked me to show them the HOW; going through their existing wardrobe and creating outfits, purging what didn’t look best on them. Then I was asked for help packing for trips, finding special occasion outfits, and personal shopping trips to retail stores. Read more>>
Kyle Merker
Confidence. It alluded me most of my childhood, and I really didn’t acquire it until I was a young adult. But when I eventually found my footing, my confidence became the launching point for everything I’ve ever accomplished. Read more>>
Mia Casanova
If I’m being honest I’ve had to be confident since I was a kid, being a military brat and moving every so often was hard. If I didn’t have confidence I would’ve never made friends or spoke to anyone when going to into the new schools. It was a personal development I learned from always being the new kid. So its helped me into adulthood being confident with my clients, being able to discuss their wants and needs without fear. Read more>>
Micaa Thomas
I like to think that the development of confidence and self-esteem is comparable to the formation of diamonds. Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle under high pressure and high-temperature conditions. Not one person is born with high self-esteem, it is the process of undergoing challenges due to loss, pain, trials, and tribulations. Read more>>
Its Margiela
Trust in yourself. Trust in your abilities & sometimes you may not understand your full potential or how others are perceiving your art. In the moment it may feel “fake* to act confident like you know what’s up and you know everything “hypothetically” but others will expect you to move in that way in order to progress in the music industry for Margiela’s case. Read more>>
Dr. Josephine Harris
Think about it: when we were teenagers, we went down an OUTWARD-BOUND path. We each did different things—rolling-coast vs. zip lining vs. deep diving— the core activities were similar: high course, jumping a long run, hiking in the woods by yourself for two days, build a a lean-to practice how to deal with wildlife or jumping out of an airplane. When we came back, we were pumped: We did! Bring it on! We eat dust for living! Read more>>
Desteni Dominick
I feel like I’ve always had confidence, even as a child. I believe it came from the love that I feel was lacking at home sometimes so I had to simply love myself and be the person that loves me the most. Even while in school getting bullied and talked about because of my skin tone being dark or maybe someone didn’t like my hair. Overcoming all of these things as a child made me the resilient and confident person I am today. Even my friends ask me “How are you so resilient?” Or saying “I’ve never seen you lack confidence.” Is funny to me because I don’t notice it until someone says something to me about it. Read more>>
Francesco DeMaio
Confidence and self-esteem start from the recognition that we are the only ones against whom we should gauge progress and from the simple acceptance of our own shortcomings. Simply put, our personal experiences do not require external validation. The moment we become fixated on chasing what appear to be the goals of others, inadvertently we will sideline our own goals and our own self esteem in the process. Read more>>
Kyle Mathis
I had an academic coach for a couple of semesters who taught me the importance of being confident, not cocky. Drawing healthy boundaries and refining my communication skills were crucial in developing my self-esteem. I also immersed myself in a passion project to grow relevant skillsets and develop self-awareness. Read more>>
Shawna Quota
My confidence and self esteem have almost exclusively come from doing self portraits. Boudoir is such an incredibly powerful genre of photography, many people don’t realize that. People see lingerie and think it’s something shameful that should be hidden away. It’s not that at all. It’s a mechanism that can be used to help people see their beauty. Read more>>
Leandro Taub
Humility to recognize where I come from and where I am going, what I have and what I do not have, what I can and what I can not, what I got and what I did not get. By recognizing these, I can develop healthy self-esteem. And to have a healthy one allows me not to think more than I am, nor less. No need to pretend I have something I do not. No need to show myself as someone I am not. Appreciate the gifts G’d gave me and learn how to use them wisely. Read more>>
Michael Sun Lee
I have developed my confidence and self esteem by taking action and doing. There is no better way to learn and develop skills more than to just take action. So many times we debate in our heads whether we should do something or not, especially with things that will benefit us. For instance, even if I do not feel like going to the gym, I still go. In regards to career etc… Read more>>
Robin Arthur
I love this question, because it leads me into talking about my family and especially my daughter, who is living proof that I’ve done something right. She’s just the best! What can I say? She is kind, intelligent, generous, beautiful, hard working and a good friend to others. Seeing how she turned out boosts my confidence and self esteem more than anything I’ve done professionally. I believe that all aspects of our personalities are directly related to our early childhood experiences with family, teachers, coaches, religious leaders and so on. Read more>>
Robert Clarke
Confidence is a strange beast . You can feel confident in a brush stroke , a smile ,opening a door or wearing the good boots you just polished . Moments of confidence are always there .The reality is that with consistency and repetition ,practice and understanding of who you are and what you do in your life ,The confidence becomes ingrained in your very being . Read more>>
