It's interesting how you can spend so much time preparing for something and still question whether you're ready when the moment finally arrives.
You've rehearsed your presentation, reviewed your notes and convinced yourself that you understand the subject. Yet, as soon as it's time to speak, the nerves begin to set in. Suddenly, you're wondering whether you'll remember everything, whether people will find your contribution valuable or whether you're even qualified to be standing there.
I think many of us have experienced this in one way or another. And sometimes, we interpret those feelings of nervousness as a sign that we're not confident enough.
But here's something I've come to appreciate. Confidence doesn't always develop before we take action. Sometimes, it grows because we've allowed ourselves to have the experience.
I remember a moment during one of my product design classes when our trainer asked how many people had started introducing themselves as UI/UX designers or product designers. Some people were hesitant, even though they were already learning design principles, working on projects and developing practical skills.
That moment reminded me of how easily we make confidence a condition for doing something new. We tell ourselves we'll share our work when we're better at it, speak up when we have more experience or pursue an opportunity when we feel completely ready.
Meanwhile, the experiences that could help us build confidence are the very ones we keep postponing.
Through my experiences in entrepreneurship, mentoring, public speaking and product design, I've learned that confidence often develops through practice. Each opportunity to communicate an idea, take responsibility for a decision or try something unfamiliar gives us a chance to learn more about our capabilities.
And these opportunities don't always have to be big. Explaining a design decision to a colleague, sharing a project you've completed or contributing your perspective during a meeting can be meaningful starting points. You may discover that you communicated better than expected, or you might identify something you need to improve. Either way, you've gained something useful from the experience.
This is why I believe reflection is just as important as taking action.
We're sometimes so quick to focus on what went wrong or move on to the next challenge that we forget to acknowledge what we've done well. Over time, this can make it difficult to recognise our own progress, even when there's evidence of it.
Here's something I'd encourage you to try this week. Think about one action you've been postponing because you don't feel confident enough. Choose a manageable step, take it and spend a few minutes reflecting afterwards. What happened? What did you learn? What would you do differently next time?
Keep a record of those experiences. They give you something more reliable to draw on than simply predicting how you might perform.
I also believe we need to give ourselves permission to grow while being visible. You can still be learning and have something valuable to contribute. You can acknowledge that you're developing your skills while taking opportunities to apply them.
Confidence doesn't mean you'll never feel nervous or uncertain. Sometimes, it means trusting yourself enough to participate, knowing that every experience gives you another opportunity to learn.
You don't have to wait until you feel completely confident to begin. Give yourself room to practise, recognise your progress and allow your confidence to grow alongside your experience.
You are allowed to learn while being seen.