1. Perfectionism
Perfectionism tricks you into thinking that if you do everything perfectly—whether it’s your workouts, appearance, or career—you’ll finally feel confident. But in reality, chasing perfection leads to burnout and anxiety. Picture this: you train for a marathon with the goal of achieving a specific time. You stick to your plan, but on race day, you fall short of your target. Instead of celebrating your hard work, you beat yourself up for not being “perfect,” which only leaves you feeling worse.

2. Constant Praise and Validation
Seeking external validation may give you a temporary confidence boost, but it’s not sustainable. Compliments, “likes” on social media, and recognition feel good in the moment but when the praise stops, so does your confidence if your self-worth depends on others’ approval. This leaves you with a constant need of outside reinforcement and in a fragile, unstable state.

3. Accomplishing More
Many women believe that confidence will come from hitting the next milestone like getting a promotion, mastering a fitness goal, or crossing another item off your to-do list. While these achievements can feel rewarding, tying your confidence to accomplishments only creates a cycle where you’re always chasing the next goal, never feeling like you’ve truly arrived.

What Builds Sustainable Confidence

1. Taking Imperfect Action
As previously noted, confidence doesn’t come from perfection. Instead it comes from action, even when you’re unsure of the outcome. When you take on challenges, make mistakes, and keep going anyway you build resilience. Imagine signing up for that marathon even when you’re not sure you’re ready. Maybe your race isn’t perfect, but you prove to yourself that you can do hard things. That’s when true confidence is born.

2. Building Self-Trust
Confidence is rooted in self-trust. When you follow through on the promises you make to yourself—from sticking to your fitness plan or setting healthy boundaries—you reinforce your own integrity. The more you act in line with your values, the more you’ll trust yourself and that’s where lasting confidence starts.

3. Facing Discomfort and Growth
Real growth, and therefore real confidence, happens when you step outside your comfort zone. Speaking up in a meeting, tackling a tough workout, pushing yourself to face discomfort is what builds confidence. Every time you confront a challenge, you grow—and with growth comes sustainable confidence you can continue to build on.

Confidence Isn’t a Destination, It’s a Journey

At the end of the day, confidence isn’t about being perfect or getting external approval. It’s about taking imperfect action, trusting yourself, and growing through discomfort. When you stop chasing confidence and start building it from the inside, you’ll find it sticking with you—no matter what life throws your way.

Which area of life will you apply these tips to first? Share in the comments so we can cheer you on! – Alex