What confident people do differently
As a licensed therapist, corporate consultant, and career coach, I’ve worked with C-Suite Executives, Leaders, 7-Figure Entrepreneurs, and even a professional athlete.
And I’m about to spill the tea.
There is a big ole secret that most people don’t know about wildly successful folks.
Ready for it?
They don’t feel good enough.
They’re smart, successful, and capable. But behind the scenes, they’re frozen by fear of getting it wrong.
They binge Netflix instead of working toward their goals, stay in jobs they’ve outgrown, and secretly compare themselves to everyone else’s highlight reels on Instagram.
But here’s the weird thing happy, confident people do differently…
The Weird Habit: They Embrace “Failure” as Feedback
Confident people don’t avoid failure. They expect it.
They know that “getting it wrong” isn’t a bad thing; it’s just part of the process.
Think about it:
The executive in the corner office? She once sat in a cubicle, fumbling through projects.
The happy couple celebrating 20 years? They probably dated a handful of duds first. (Ask me about the guy who once did a sock puppet show on our first date.)
The entrepreneur with a thriving business? They’ve likely gone broke, pivoted, and rebuilt more than once.
Failure isn’t a grade. It’s the path forward.
What Happy, Confident People Do Differently
1. They Own Their First Drafts
Instead of hiding past mistakes, they see them as proof of growth. Every awkward attempt is a stepping stone to mastery.
2. They Stop Waiting for Permission
Instead of waiting to feel “ready,” they make decisions, collect feedback, and try again. Confidence grows after you act, not before.
3. They Don’t Outsource Self-Worth
Money, praise, promotions. Those are fun, but not their source of self-worth. Truly confident people know they’re enough whether they succeed or fall flat.
Why This Works (Backed by Psychology)
Research shows that resilience - the ability to bounce back from setbacks - is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success (Harvard Business Review even says so).
When you normalize failure as part of growth, your brain stops treating it like a threat. You’re free to keep moving instead of getting stuck in shame, regret, or perfectionism.
A Client Story
One of my clients was a brilliant VP who stalled out every time she had to present to senior leadership.
She’d overthink, procrastinate, then panic at the last minute. Together, we worked on reframing her “messy first drafts” as data, not disasters. Within months, she went from paralyzed by fear to leading major initiatives with confidence.
This shift didn’t just improve her career. It gave her back her evenings, her sleep, and her sense of joy.
How You Can Apply This Today
Set goals, but don’t tie them to your self-worth.
Fall on your face, then remind yourself you’re still enough.
Miss the mark and learn from it.
Celebrate progress, not perfection.
Because the truth is, you’ve always been enough. Confidence comes from choosing to see it that way.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Be Perfect
Happy, confident people aren’t fearless. They just stop making failure mean something about who they are.
Imagine never quitting on yourself again. Imagine owning every messy attempt as proof you’re growing. Imagine creating a career and life you love—not because you proved yourself, but because you finally believed in yourself.
That’s what’s possible when you stop chasing worthiness and start owning your brilliance.
Imagine enjoying validation and praise, but never needing it because your self-confidence is solid as a rock.
Imagine never needing an "accountability partner" because you always follow through with what you say you're going to do.
Imagine never quitting on yourself again.
No matter how many times you've tried before, I will guide you. Click here and let's talk about what that looks like.
Hi! I’m Erica
Wife to Brendan. Mom to twins + one. Dog mom. Slow runner. Coffee drinker. GIF enthusiast.
I’m a licensed mental health therapist and life coach and career coach. I help you accomplish in 6 months that thing you’ve been thinking about doing for years.
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