Confidence Is a Commitment, Not a Feeling

So many of us wait for confidence to arrive before we take the leap.

“I’ll speak up in the meeting when I feel more confident.”
“I’ll put myself forward for promotion once I’m ready.”
“I’ll pitch that bold idea to the client when I believe in myself more.”

Here’s the hard truth: confidence doesn’t show up first.

The Myth of Waiting for Confidence

We imagine confidence as this magical green light - once we have it, everything will feel easy. But in reality, waiting for confidence is like waiting for perfect weather before going outside. You’ll be stuck indoors forever.

Confidence isn’t a feeling that comes before action. It’s the result of action.

Confidence Grows Through Commitment

Think back to when you first started in your career. The first client meeting. The first presentation. The first time managing someone.

Did you feel confident? Probably not. But you showed up anyway. And over time, with repetition, you got better. You stumbled, you learned, and slowly, you built confidence.

That’s commitment in action.
Commitment is saying: I’ll show up, even when I don’t feel ready.
Commitment is: I’ll try, even if I might fail.
Commitment is: I’ll keep going until this becomes second nature.

Confidence follows commitment — not the other way around.

Why This Matters for Leaders

If you’re in a leadership role, your team doesn’t need you to be the most confident person in the room. They need you to show up consistently. To make decisions. To lean into the difficult conversations.

It’s your commitment that gives your team trust and stability. Confidence grows as a by-product of that consistency.

How to Commit Your Way Into Confidence

Here are some ways to shift from waiting for confidence to committing instead:

1. Decide before you’re ready
   Say yes to the opportunity, then figure out the “how” later. Growth comes from the stretch.

2. Create micro-commitments
   Break big, scary actions into smaller steps. One question in the meeting. One slide in the presentation. One honest feedback conversation.

3. Detach from perfection
   Commit to progress, not flawless performance. Confidence grows faster when you allow yourself to learn.

4. Anchor to your values
   When you know why you’re doing something, the commitment sticks. Confidence builds from showing up in alignment with what matters most.

The Takeaway

Confidence isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you earn.
It’s not a feeling that arrives to give you permission. It’s the by-product of showing up again and again.

So the next time you tell yourself, “I’ll do it when I feel more confident,” stop. Flip the script.

Ask instead: “What can I commit to right now that will build my confidence?”

Because confidence isn’t found. It’s built. And it’s built through commitment.

If you think your team needs a confidence boost, check out our Core Confidence Series