7 Proven Ways to Build Deep-Rooted Confidence That Lasts.
Go beyond "executive presence" to cultivate unshakeable self-belief.
Most women who find their way to opening this newsletter fall into a very specific category:
Ambitious millennial women with top credentials and a track record of success — who suddenly find themselves considering career coaching.
Not because they’re underperforming or have “lost it.”
But because they’re in a career season that’s testing them.
And if that’s you — you might feel your sense of clarity, momentum, or self-trust starting to shake.
Perhaps you…
Feel uncharacteristically stuck — constantly swirling on “what’s next?! — and having lost the clear vision for your career that gave you purpose and direction.
Were recently laid off — and even though you know it was just a business decision — you can’t shake the sense you did something wrong.
Were passed over for a promotion that you know you are so capable of — and are now wondering if there’s something you missed…
Are grappling with a toxic boss whose constant stream of cutting comments have made you question if you’ve ever good at your job.
Took a junior role to get into your dream company, and are now struggling to get noticed or build the influence and scope you know you’re fully capable of.
Are so burnt out that you barely recognize yourself…the vim and vigor that fueled your performance is buried under a never-ending to-do list and constant pings.
This season is 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 — and I know you’d love to sprint to the other side.
Power through a job search and find a new role as soon as possible. Anything has to be better than this right?!
But as uncomfortable as it feels, I encourage you not to rush.
There’s a whole lot of reflection to do (see my guide on the right questions to ask yourself here) — but equally as important, this is an unique opportunity to rebuild your confidence.
And not in a performative, “just have more executive presence” type of way.
But in a real, deep-rooted, unshakeable belief in your self, your capabilities and your experience way. The ability to show up in every situation — no matter how tough or uncertain — and to know without a doubt: “I’ve got this.”
What I’ve learned in coaching 110+ ambitious women, is that confidence is not a switch you can simply flip on when you need it. It’s not a surface-level fix that can be hacked through a stronger handshake or longer eye contact.
It takes focus and practice to build.
But once you do, it will serve you for the rest of your life — giving you an unshakeable belief in your self to navigate anything that comes your way.
Sounds pretty great, right?
It is — I’ve seen how transformative it’s been for my clients — and I know it can do the same for you too.
So if you want to build deep-rooted, unshakeable confidence, follow these seven proven practices:
(1) Resource yourself first.
You can’t think or affirm your way to confidence if your body is in survival mode.
Start with the basics to bring yourself back to baseline: sleep, hydration, nourishment. Then in add movement — cardio for endorphins, strength training for power — to allow your body to give you a boost.
When your body feels safe and strong, your mind will follow.
(2) Stop comparing.
(Louder for the folks in the back…)
Your career path doesn’t need to be better or worse than someone’s else’s. It is just your own.
So your old colleague who has VC funding to build in the exact space you care about? Or the woman you only know from LinkedIn who seems to have your dream job and life?
If tracking their journey, triggers judgement, criticism or shame about your own, unfollow them (or establish boundaries).
You don’t need to measure your success against someone else’s.
How to work with me
If you need support building deep-rooted confidence while navigating a new career chapter, join us in Ambition Reimagined — my flagship coaching program for ambitious women ready to design a career that feels deeply aligned.
You’ll build both the strategy and the self-trust to create a career you love — and a life that finally feels like yours.
(3) Turn down the volume on your inner critics.
That voice at the back your head questioning everything? It’s likely not yours.
It’s old feedback, outdated conditioning or a throwaway comment your old boss made in 2017 stuck on loop. You don’t need to listen to it.
Write it all down so you can see all the negative self-talk your mind defaults to (woof! it’s probably more than you realize). Decide what’s true, what’s not, and what gets left in your notebook.
(4) Revisit your track record.
You haven’t lost your capability — you just forgot the evidence.
You’ve already accomplished remarkable feats in your career! Pull out old reviews, MBA letters, kudos emails and really marinate in them.
You’re still the person who did all that. Let it remind you: you are an exceptional professional.
(5) Anchor into your strengths.
Despite how you feel right now, you absolutely do have a zone of genius where your strengths allow you to work with flow, ease and success.
Every single person has one — that’s the beauty of strengths, we’re all uniquely good at something. You just need to find it and allow yourself to do more of it.
Get clear on what energizes you and find ways to do more of it. If you need an extra boost or roadmap, the CliftonStrengths Finder is a great place to start.
(6) Connect with people who see your brilliance.
Reach out to the mentors, colleagues, and peers who know your worth — your biggest champions!
Ask what they appreciated about working with you, and allow yourself to take it in.
You’re not looking for validation — you’re rebuilding your reflection through trusted eyes.
(7) Do something brave.
Stepping outside your comfort zone reminds you who you are — and gives you an immediate boost of accomplishment and pride.
It doesn’t have to be career-related — take the hike, sign up for the class, have the hard conversation.
Every brave act is a down payment on your self-belief.
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Follow these steps and you’ll stop chasing confidence as a feeling or costume you have to put on.
Instead, it will be lit deep from within — a steady flame of self-belief and self-trust.
Fueling you to create the career that’s right for you.
You haven’t lost your capability or potential.
You just forgot to fully believe in yourself.