Confidence Is a Skill: Why You Need to Practice Being Confident

Have you ever looked at someone and thought, Wow, they are so confident—I wish I could be like that? Maybe it’s a speaker on stage, a business leader making bold decisions, or even a parent who seems to have it all together. It’s easy to assume that confidence is something people either have or don’t. But the truth is, confidence is not a personality trait—it’s a skill. And like any skill, it gets stronger with practice.

Even the Most Confident People Feel Fear

It’s comforting to realise that even the most successful people struggle with confidence. Take Adele, for example. She performs in front of thousands, yet she has openly spoken about her intense stage fright. You would think someone with her talent and experience would be immune to nerves—but she still has to push through them.

This shows that confidence isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the ability to take action despite it. The more you face your fears, the more confident you become.

Bravery and Confidence Go Hand in Hand

If confidence is something you practice, then bravery is the first step. You can’t wait until you feel confident to start—because that day may never come. Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for action; action is a prerequisite for confidence.

Think about a child learning to ride a bike. They don’t start out confident. They start out wobbly, unsure, and often a little scared. But with practice, they gain balance, and eventually, riding becomes second nature. The same applies to anything in life—whether it’s public speaking, running a business, or simply speaking up in a meeting. You have to be brave enough to try, even if you don’t feel ready.

Repetition Builds Confidence

The reason some people seem naturally confident is that they’ve simply done something many times before. A business owner who confidently pitches their idea has probably had dozens (if not hundreds) of awkward, nerve-wracking attempts in the past. A teacher who speaks effortlessly in front of a class likely remembers a time when their voice shook with nerves.

Repetition rewires your brain. The more you expose yourself to a challenge, the less intimidating it becomes. Over time, what once felt impossible starts to feel natural.

How to Practice Confidence

1. Do It Scared – You don’t have to feel confident to take action. Do the thing anyway, even if your heart is racing.

2. Start Small – If public speaking terrifies you, don’t start with a TED Talk. Speak up in a small meeting, record a short video, or practice in front of a friend.

3. Acknowledge Your Wins – Every time you push past your fear, celebrate it. Confidence is built by recognising your own growth.

4. Surround Yourself with Encouragement – Being around supportive people can make a world of difference. Find mentors, friends, or communities that lift you up.

5. Embrace the Learning Process – Nobody is instantly confident. Every mistake, every awkward moment, and every setback is part of the journey.

Confidence, Bravery, and Practice—The Ultimate Trio

If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. And the only way to build it is through practice. Bravery gets you started, practice keeps you going, and confidence is the result.

So the next time you see someone who seems effortlessly confident, remember: they weren’t always that way. They just took the leap—and you can too.

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Published by Laura Johnstone

Hi I'm Laura. In 2023 I had a very traumatic pregnancy and in turn had a planned premature baby at 32 weeks (we had been told to expect anything from 23 weeks). With multiple visits to specialist hospitals in Southampton and London we went through a journey. Consequently I am wanting to help others that were in my position as well as talk about different and sometimes difficult parenting issues.

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