Practical Strategies to Build Confidence and Overcome Doubt
- Brainz Magazine
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Written by Dawn Whyte, Career Coach
Dawn Whyte is known for her work with building individual resilience in aviation. She is an air traffic controller, keynote speaker and founder of Dawn Whyte Aviation Career Coaching.
There have been moments when I needed to make a decision but felt overwhelmed, not by the task itself, but by the pounding in my chest. In those moments, I didn’t need advice, I needed courage. My background in aviation has taught me that perfection is the goal. But in moments where I was nowhere near perfect, and still needing to act, I was paralyzed by fear. Fear of failure. Fear of the unknown. And I hate it when fear gets the better of me and shapes my choices.
Unlocking the ability to act through courage has been an evolving process in my life over the past few years. I am often reminded that confidence isn’t built by waiting until you feel brave enough to act. It is built by acting even if you don’t. And as I have shared my own struggles and journey, I have discovered I am not alone. So many others are searching for the same answers, trying to navigate fear and reclaim their confidence.
In Part 1 of this series, we uncovered some common misconceptions around confidence and pointed to action as the true antidote. Often, it is not a lack of desire, motivation, or mental capacity that holds us back. It is finding the courage to act despite a guaranteed outcome. But let’s be real: telling someone to just be courageous or “just do it” (with all due credit to Nike) is much easier said than done. The truth is that action can feel incredibly difficult when our inner doubts, fears, and stories are standing in the way. In Part 2 of this two-part series, we are going to prepare you to take off with techniques designed to give you that gentle push and propel you through the uncertainty and into motion.
Everyone’s an expert
There is no shortage of podcasts and self-proclaimed experts talking about confidence. Listening to them, finding what resonates with you, is a process. But figuring out what works for you? That’s the real challenge. I’ve tried it all, counting down from five and then launching into action, pep talks, sticky notes with affirmations on the mirror, and everything in between. For me, it took trial and error. Because sometimes, learning what doesn’t work is just as valuable as discovering what does. Through this process, you begin to recognize the strategies that genuinely move you forward, and by repeating those strategies, they become second nature.
Repeating an action helps you get better at it, and over time, you start to trust yourself more. Each time you succeed, even in small ways, you prove to yourself that you can handle the challenge. This builds confidence because your brain remembers these successes and becomes less afraid the next time. In short, the more you practice, the more confident you feel.
Now, let’s explore a handful of practical, research-backed strategies that help bridge the gap between doubt and doing.
6 research-backed ways to build confidence
1. You are enough
Accept that you are enough and that you can grow. Every journey has a beginning, and yours starts the moment you choose to believe that who you are right now is enough to move forward. Accepting that you are enough is a decision. You will not start this journey when you feel good enough because feeling good enough IS the journey, not the destination. It’s a choice to say, “I am enough to start trying right now.” There is no question that our past experiences and present circumstances shape how we think and feel about ourselves. However, how we process those feelings, how we think from that point on, and what we choose to do as a result of those feelings is ultimately what matters. And it is not always going to feel comfortable.
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. You are already enough to face the hard feelings, the doubts, and the fears that arise along the way. It’s important to realize that feelings, especially the uncomfortable ones, aren’t facts. Think of them as signals, not stop signs. Just because something feels hard or scary doesn’t mean you are not equipped to handle it. You don’t need to wait until you feel strong or confident to begin; you only need to trust that who you are right now is enough. When you choose to move through discomfort instead of avoiding it, you build resilience, self-trust, and affirm your worth every step of the way.
2. Be prepared
There is nothing worse than going into an unfamiliar situation where you already feel nervous and unprepared. Maybe it’s the air traffic controller in me, I can manage anything with a little bit of preparation. Responding effectively with little to no notice is more difficult, but I’ve been steadily improving in such circumstances and trying to become more adaptable.
Preparation is a powerful confidence builder, especially when stepping into unfamiliar territory. When you take the time to learn, practice, or simply organize your thoughts, you create a sense of stability that grounds you, even when the situation you are in feels uncertain. Being prepared doesn’t eliminate nerves, but it helps to turn them into energy you can use to show up and take ownership of the moment.
I have found that asking questions and being curious helps me navigate situations where I would otherwise want to retreat. Anticipating potential objections and preparing thoughtful responses ahead of time gives me a stronger sense of control when I go into meetings with a desired outcome. If I’m going to be presenting, I will record myself or rehearse in front of family for feedback. And while it may sound trivial, feeling good about how I look genuinely boosts my confidence and helps me show up more fully. Whatever it takes to put you in the best position for success, do it.
3. Recall and reflect on past successes
Our brains are wired with a negativity bias, meaning they cling more tightly to failures than successes. This can be rewired through intentional recall. Whether it was speaking up in a meeting, challenging a decision, or standing up for yourself, take time to reflect on moments when you showed up well and felt proud about what you did or said.
Success isn’t confined to one part of your life. Personal victories, whether setting boundaries, overcoming self-doubt, or admitting a mistake, can fuel your confidence in professional spaces and vice versa. It’s not about where the win happened, but how it propels you forward. The real power lies in trusting that, regardless of the outcome, you can handle the result and be perfectly okay.
Some psychologists encourage journaling–writing down daily wins, however small. This habit helps rewire your internal self-talk from “I’m not sure I can” to “I’ve done this before, and I can again.” I like writing my successes down because it makes them feel real. They are no longer just fleeting thoughts, but something tangible. It also gives your mind extra time to reflect on what you did well, helping you truly absorb and appreciate your progress. When your brain whispers, “You’re not getting better,” you’ll have data that says otherwise.
4. Take baby steps (Not leaps)
Building courage and confidence doesn’t come from giant leaps, it’s built through small, intentional steps. Psychologists and change experts emphasize the importance of small steps because they reduce the overwhelming feeling that holds us back, create momentum for further steps, and create sustainable change. When we break intimidating actions into manageable chunks, we create space to grow without overwhelming ourselves, which can lead to fear and resistance.
Trying to leap from total silence to leading a team meeting is like deciding to run a marathon without having walked a mile. Taking on too much change at once can backfire. Instead, start small. For example, raise your hand to ask a question. Volunteer to speak for 60 seconds. Offer a comment in a group chat. These small actions compound. The more frequently you take smaller actions, the more your identity shifts from someone who’s unsure to someone who participates. And that shift matters more than waiting to feel ready.
5. Normalize not knowing
Not knowing everything or not being able to do everything is part of being human. Admitting you don’t know something isn’t a weakness, it’s an act of strength. More importantly, it liberates you from the impossible burden of perfection.
In today’s world, where AI can deliver instant answers and perform tasks with precision, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that perfection is attainable, or worse, expected. But AI is not human. It doesn’t wrestle with uncertainty, emotion, or growth. It doesn’t build resilience through repetition. Comparing ourselves to that kind of standard isn’t only unrealistic, it adds to the pressure to be flawless.
Confidence isn’t knowing all the answers. It’s trusting your capacity to learn them. This perspective, called a growth mindset, is rooted in the belief that you can develop and evolve over time. Be curious about what you can be. Strengthen your skills and invest in your growth. Enroll in courses, seek out new opportunities, volunteer to join new teams, or step up to lead a project. Every action you take is a vote for the person you are becoming.
Shifting toward a growth mindset, where you stay open to learning and evolving, will not happen overnight. You may need to consciously choose new ways of thinking multiple times a day, sometimes even within the same hour or moment. It may feel like you are saying it to yourself every 10 seconds. That’s okay. Building confidence takes effort, and this kind of mental repetition is part of that work.
6. Surround yourself with courageous energy
Confidence is contagious. The people you spend time with, whether peers, mentors, or friends, influence how you think about yourself and your situation. We often model behavior based on those we admire. Being around people who act boldly, even when they’re nervous, can reshape your sense of what’s normal and what’s possible. Positive energy attracts positive energy. You want people in your life who lift you up and help you see new possibilities, not those who tear you down or feed your fears.
Seek out communities where it’s safe to try, to make mistakes, and to grow out loud. Sometimes, simply knowing others are wrestling with the same doubts can remind you that you’re not alone.
That said, a gentle caution: don’t let inspiration turn into comparison. It’s easy to look at someone who has what you want and use it as evidence that you’re falling short. But that mindset only drains your energy and dims your light. If you’re going to look at someone else’s success, let it serve as a reminder of what’s possible, not as proof that you’re not good enough, smart enough, or deserving.
Stay focused on your own journey. You’re the only one who can walk it. Pay attention to the challenges you’re facing, the steps you’re taking, and the growth you’re experiencing. What someone else is doing has nothing to do with your path. Their success doesn’t diminish yours. There’s room in this world for all of us, and each of us brings a story and a value that no one else can replicate.
Remember: no one else has your voice, your perspective, or your lived experience. That’s your power.
Final thought
Confidence isn’t a destination, it is a practice. It’s not about being flawless, fearless, or always in control. It’s about showing up, trying again, and building trust in yourself one small action at a time. So, the next time you catch yourself wishing you had someone else’s confidence, remember they probably built it the same way you will–step by step, moment by moment, doubt by doubt.
Follow me here to be part of a growing community of aviators and high-performers learning to lead with clarity, resilience, and heart. Let’s keep growing together.
Read more from Dawn Whyte
Dawn Whyte, Career Coach
Dawn Whyte is a aviation career coach who excels in resilience training. She is known for her work assisting individuals navigate stressful situations with confidence and determination. With 35 years of expirience as a successful air traffic controller, Dawn leverages her personal story to connect and inspire others to embrace life challenges with renewed optimism and intention. Faced with an unexpected and life-changing job change when she least expected it, she seized the opportunity to create a role focused on promoting mental health and wellness in aviation. Dawn's unique perspective have made her a trail blazer in aviation and a trusted voice of reason in an ever-changing industry.
