It’s okay to be scared, often that’s a sign that you are pushing yourself towards greatness. However, it’s equally important to build up your confidence and we hope the conversations presented below can help provide some food for thought around how you can level up your confidence and self-esteem.
Alisia Gruendel
I like that this question uses the word ‘develop’. It’s open ended, like confidence and self-esteem. They ebb and flow like most things in life. And to be honest, I think the best way I’ve developed them is to let myself actually live my life. For a really long time, I kept myself sheltered. Read More>>
Jill VanderYacht
I have worked diligently for much of my life to build and maintain my confidence and self-esteem. Growing up as a very quiet and introverted child this did not come naturally to me, and I believe that (especially as women) we are taught not to stand out or make waves and certainly not to brag or talk about ourselves. Read More>>
TU
The confidence and self-esteem that I possess comes from being overlooked. Seeing who they picked before me was the catalyst for self love. Often confused with arrogance by those who’ve yet embrace the good the bad and the ugly we all carry on a daily basis. Read More>>
Lindsey Morris
I developed my confidence and self-esteem through intentional self discovery and inner work. Over the years, I’ve done a lot of healing, reflection, and personal development, especially through inner child work, which has helped me to understand who I am at my core. One of the most pivotal moments was moving to a new city on my own, without knowing anyone. Read More>>
Chelsea Rose Cook
Developing my confidence and self-esteem was a long, arduous, but ultimately rewarding journey. It has spanned nearly a decade by now, and it involved a lot of trial and error. Ultimately, showing up for myself again and again – even when things felt hopeless or directionless – was the key to building that confidence little by little. Read More>>
Yesenia Carrasquillo
Growing up I was always the bigger girl, and in the 90’s thick girls wasn’t the norm, so I felt as a big girl I always had to hold my self at a higher standard because everyone else wasn’t and that’s what developed my confidence. Read More>>
Jimmy Chill
Confidence didn’t just appear for me, it was built over time. It came from long nights in the kitchen, leading teams through pressure, and realizing that even in the moments I doubted myself, I could still deliver. Read More>>
Omar Bustamante
I was able to develop confidence and self-esteem through repetition as well as with my relationship with myself. For years I trained in New York under some great teachers and directors in plays. Whatever was offered to me I did it. Staged readings, theatre companies, Dinner theatre etc. Read More>>
Bryan Hadley
Developed it from years of going to church and getting to know God. I also developed a ton of confidence growing up in Longview, Texas, and playing football and baseball for the Longview Lobos (my high school). Read More>>
Phoenix Pride
It definitely took a few years. Growing up I was around people who were afraid to step outside the box. Growing up around these people I learned to be afraid to be different. However, once I was able to remove myself from that group of people I was able to see that it’s ok to be different. Read More>>
Susi Hülsmeyer-Sinay
I developed my confidence by seeking and accepting challenges. By succeeding to master the challenge, solve the issue or get that job, my self esteem grew. I grew. I then applied what I learned to the next step or next challenge. It is s joyful journey. Read More>>
Charise Beckett
My confidence was born in a small West Virginia home where my mom would look at her children and say, “They don’t make them no better than mine.” She said it so often that it became part of our DNA. It wasn’t arrogance — it was affirmation. It taught me early that worth isn’t granted by the world; it’s inherited from love, belief, and belonging. Read More>>
Aliya Fraser
I’ve built my confidence and self-esteem over time through consistency. Instead of focusing only on the outcome, I concentrated on how the creative process made me feel. By making small, steady adjustments, I was able to develop a distinctive style and brand that authentically represent me and communicate a strong message. Read More>>
Tim Scifres
I believe confidence and self-esteem are built through a couple of main factors. One factor is having experience in many different situations both personally and professionally. As a high school teacher for the past 27 years, along with coaching basketball for nearly a decade, I was put into many situations that required flexibility, patience, responding tactfully, and think of my feet. Read More>>
Karina Castillo
I developed my confidence and self-esteem by growing up in an environment where expression was seen as the best way to be your best self. I was encouraged to be creative, to explore who I am, and to never hold back from showing it. That mindset shaped everything — it taught me that confidence doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from authenticity. Read More>>
Zack Brown
I think confidence and self-esteem naturally ebb and flow with life. They aren’t constants—they’re qualities we can lean into when we need them most. I’m not naturally confident; it’s something I’ve had to build over time. For me, confidence shows up when it’s needed most. When I’m in the courtroom, I have to be confident on my clients’ behalf. Read More>>
Ernestine Hopkins
I had to intentionally unlearn years of negative thinking that stemmed from disappointments and experiences that caused me to see myself in a poor light. Growing up, I was made fun of at school and often criticized by others, including extended family, about my appearance, which led me to internalize feelings of inadequacy. Read More>>
Josh DiChiara
Confidence and self-esteem didn’t come easy for me. They were built slowly through years of learning, failing, and figuring out who I really am. When I first started creating content, I wasn’t confident at all. I’d record fake videos in my bedroom just to practice speaking on camera, then replay them and take mental notes on what felt awkward or unnatural. Read More>>
Tod Meisner
I wouldn’t say I’ve fully arrived when it comes to confidence and self-esteem—but I’ve come a long way. Growth in this area has been one of the most meaningful parts of my personal and professional journey. In my 30s, a series of life events forced me to pause, recalibrate, and refocus on what truly mattered. Read More>>
Itay Shechter
I didn’t develop confidence overnight- it came from stacking small wins and refusing to stay comfortable. Early on, I was the guy with ideas but not the voice to push them forward. That changed when I started building things from scratch- businesses, projects, even content. Read More>>
Jessica Przulj
From a young age, I was driven to perform — if there was a stage, I wanted to be on it. When I set my mind to something, I went for it. I even starred in musicals as a kid and performed in concerts. But everything shifted in middle school. Read More>>
Dr. Kerry Neal
Confidence, for me, didn’t arrive in a single defining moment. It’s been a journey — one that started in chaos, grew through faith, and continues to evolve with grace. I’m the youngest of four children, born to a young mother who, by the age of 23, had already lived what felt like several lifetimes. Read More>>
Katrina Galera
My confidence and self-esteem come through my faith in Jesus. Knowing that my worth comes from Him—not from other people or achievements. I’ve learned to see myself through His eyes—worthy, loved, and created with purpose. Whenever I start to doubt myself, I remind myself that my strength doesn’t come from my own abilities but from Him. Read More>>
Anna Thane
I actually think I developed my confidence and self-esteem when my husband and I moved to Los Angeles when I was about 29. I’ve always kind of done my own thing, in terms of the art I create, the career paths I choose, fashion choices, etc, but I never felt totally comfortable or confident in what I was doing. Read More>>
Kimberly Dodaj
Honestly, my confidence didn’t happen overnight — it grew in layers, just like a cake. When I first started baking seven years ago, I was constantly comparing myself to others and overanalyzing every detail. But over time, I realized that my perfectionism could be my strength if I channeled it into growth instead of pressure. Read More>>
Faryn Schwartz
That’s such a powerful question — because my relationship with confidence has been anything but linear. Confidence didn’t come to me all at once — it’s something I’ve had to build, lose, and rebuild many times over the years. There have been seasons where I felt completely in my element, and others where I questioned everything. Read More>>
Shannon Lucas Westrum
My confidence and self-esteem have developed by making it my mission to keep trying new ideas, techniques, art forms. There is no-one whose work in basketry is the same as mine. I have a style that is all my own, developed through practice of techniques with beginners, experts, traditionalists and ground-breakers. Read More>>
ILU
My confidence and self-esteem is definitely something that has grown tremendously with age. When I was younger I was very meek, self-conscious, and self-deprecating. I would hate having to speak in front of classes to present projects and all that stuff. I even hated the idea of being perceived or seen at one point. Read More>>
Ikumi Makino
At first, I had absolutely no confidence, but I did everything I could and gave my all. I trained my body, pushed myself physically, and kept a daily journal – reflecting on what went well, what I could improve, my strengths, and my weaknesses. Through writing and training, I explored myself deeply and kept growing. Read More>>
Candice Donaldson
Confidence and self-esteem are things I really struggled with throughout my teens and even into my twenties. During those years, I often looked to the world and to other people for validation, trying to measure up to standards that constantly changed. Over time, I realized that chasing approval only left me feeling empty and uncertain about who I was. Read More>>
Michael Tennier
Over years of preparation and dedication to my craft, you begin to receive constant compliments and positive reinforcement. Years of being on high end quality driven projects with millionaires and mega alfa males telling us how incredible our product and work turns out, you start to believe them. I have been blessed to have a career that makes my clientele extremely happy. Read More>>
Mikey Candela
I developed my confidence and self-esteem throughout the years. As an artist, it’s not always easy to project how you feel or how you present yourself in front of an audience. You can write songs about being on top of the world when in reality you’re only trying to keep it together. Not just me, but many artists out there go through this. Read More>>
Sylvia Flanagan
I believe we are always developing, growing, maturing in confidence and our self esteem. Their will be seasons of our life were we feel like we have arrive. Then sometimes when we experience challenges in our life. Read More>>
Jae Chanel
I was the girl with her head down. I stayed quiet in rooms, not because I had nothing to say, but because I questioned if I was even supposed to be there. Life came at me fast, and early on I got used to surviving instead of standing tall in who I was. Everything started to change when I began healing. Read More>>
ANGELA THOMAS SMITH
My confidence didn’t arrive all at once—it was rebuilt after surviving domestic violence, one brave step at a time. Jeremiah 29:11 anchored me. Meditating on “plans to prosper you… and give you hope and a future” reminded me I wasn’t broken beyond purpose. What helped me grow: Faith first: Daily prayer, scripture, and affirmations rooted in God’s promises. Read More>>
Jimmie Berguin
Growing up I always felt like a fish out of water. Growing up BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) in a place like the Pacific Northwest can be an especially harrowing thing. I never sought to stand out, I just didn’t have the privilege to blend in almost ever. Read More>>
