5 Signs You're on the Right Path to Building Self-Belief

Written by Ryan Findlay, Transformational Coach and Intuitive Guide

Ryan is a Psychotherapist and Intuitive Guide, blending coaching and Tarot to help curious seekers navigate change, build meaningful lives, and create deeper connections.

There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors out there—bravado, flexing, posturing—selling confidence and self-belief as something loud, in-your-face, and always “killing it.”

So, how do you know if you’re truly cultivating self-belief? The path isn’t always clear, but there are unmistakable signs along the way. Here are five key indicators: you’re building deeper trust in yourself and stepping into who you’re truly meant to be.

1. You feel a growing sense of trust in your own decisions

Self-belief isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about trusting yourself to navigate uncertain terrain. It’s when you make decisions with confidence and curiosity, even when the outcome is unknown, that’s a sign your inner trust is strengthening.

Whether it’s a career move, taking on a new project, or deciding to speak up in a conversation, you’re no longer paralyzed by overthinking or wondering if you’re making the “right” choice.

Instead, there’s a quiet assurance that, no matter the path, you’ll figure it out even if you’re sort of winging it along the way. You start to tell yourself, "I might not have all the answers right now, but I have enough to get started."

You’ve learned to listen to your gut instead of turning to others for constant advice or second-guessing every choice. You trust the subtle signals your body gives you, the quiet nudges of intuition that point you in the right direction. Maybe it's the instinct to speak up even when you're unsure of how things will unfold or the feeling that now is the right time to dive into that new project despite the unknowns. You no longer feel the need to have every step mapped out; you trust that, with each decision, your inner compass will guide you.

2. You follow through on your word, but you also stay flexible

Believing in yourself isn’t just a mindset; it’s something you live. When you consistently follow through on what you say, even in small ways, you reinforce the belief that you are someone who can be relied upon by yourself. But self-belief isn’t about rigidly sticking to goals at all costs. It’s about knowing when to adapt. Setting up commitments is important, but it also takes confidence to remain flexible when things shift. You don’t need to be all-or-nothing, attached to a fixed outcome. Real trust in yourself comes from understanding when to honour your word and when to course-correct with confidence and without guilt.

Notice the shifts: You commit and stick with it, but you also know when to pivot. You send that email instead of endlessly drafting it, and if the timing changes, you trust that too. You speak up, step into the creative force you know you are, and when new information or a better approach arises, you’re open to it. These tiny moments build a track record of self-trust. Over time, you realise confidence isn’t something you acquire. It’s something you demonstrate, again and again, in both commitment and flexibility.

3. You notice yourself holding space for the doubt

A common myth about self-belief is that it means never doubting yourself. In reality, belief and doubt aren’t opposites; they’re companions. Doubt has its role; it invites reflection, caution, and growth. The key isn’t to fuse with it or let it take the wheel. Instead, create space around it. Breathe. Notice the doubt without becoming it. Meet it with curiosity, understanding that it doesn’t mean you’re lost, only that you’re stepping into something new. Then, gently return to what matters, settling into the observer’s seat, the quiet background awareness, the ‘greater you’ that has always been there.

And when uncertainty arises, don’t push it away. Let it exist alongside your self-belief, knowing the two can coexist. When faced with a new challenge, instead of thinking, I can’t do this, you pause, breathe, and ask, What if I can? This simple shift opens space for possibility, and there’s no need to fight doubt, only to make room for something more.

Imagine self-belief as a lighthouse, steady and unwavering, guiding you through the storm, even when the waves crash around you. The light doesn’t waver just because the sea is rough; it remains constant, cutting through the uncertainty. Even when doubt swirls, you can still move toward that beam, trusting that you’ll find your way, one step at a time.

4. You see yourself through a kinder, more capable lens

How you talk to yourself shapes how you show up in the world. If your internal dialogue is shifting from self-criticism to self-encouragement, you’re stepping into a stronger sense of self-belief.

This doesn’t mean ignoring the areas where you need to grow; it means recognising them without using them as weapons against yourself. Instead of thinking, I’m not the kind of person who can do this, you remind yourself, I’m learning. I’m becoming. You offer yourself the same grace and encouragement you’d give a close friend on their own path of growth.

Your self-view shifts not because you’ve changed overnight but because you’re seeing yourself through eyes of possibility, not limitation. This is the result of every choice and every challenge. You are a living example of quiet courage, showing that growth doesn’t always roar it unfolds, steadily, with each step.

5. You prioritise persistence over perfection

True self-belief isn’t about feeling unstoppable all the time it’s about continuing even when you might feel wobbly. If you're showing up for yourself, taking imperfect action, and persisting despite setbacks, you already embody deep self-trust. You’ve stopped waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ to begin. Failure no longer feels like an identity crisis; it’s part of the process. You keep moving forward not because you always feel 100% sure but because you’re committed to seeing how far you can go.

You don’t need to be unshakable. You’re made of the same earth that shifts and bends with the world around you. Of course, you’ll hit a low pocket. You're not a machine. But what matters is persistence, choosing, again and again, to rest, rise, and back yourself. Keep doing that, and you become an unstoppable light in motion, expanding in ways you never imagined.

Expanding your self-belief

If this resonates but you’re unsure how to embody it, or if self-belief flows easily in one area of your life (like work and career) but feels shaky in another (like relationships), I’d love to guide you.

In our sessions, we’ll use Tarot and coaching to uncover what’s really at play beneath the surface. We’ll explore the subconscious tensions and beliefs shaping your choices, the patterns quietly influencing your direction, and the inner wisdom already waiting to be claimed.

By the end, you’ll walk away with a renewed trust in yourself and a clear, grounded way forward one that feels like yours.

If you're ready to back yourself in a whole new way, I’d be honoured to support you. Book your session here, and let's get started.

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and visit my website for more info!

Read more from Ryan Findlay

Ryan Findlay, Transformational Coach and Intuitive Guide

Ryan is a Psychotherapist and Intuitive Guide, specialising in Tarot as an efficient tool for subconscious change, emotional release, and clarity as clients move through life’s transitions. Known for his grounded, relatable approach, Ryan serves as both a compass and a steadying hand. His mission is to guide others toward game-changing insights, deeper connections, and aligned, empowered living.