Confidence Starts with Competence
Confidence isn’t something you just “decide” to have—it’s something you build. It grows through experience, effort, and the mastery of something real. When you develop a skill, no matter how small, it changes the way you carry yourself. You stop needing to prove your worth, because your work speaks for itself. Real competence silences insecurity.
How Kids Teach Us About Growth
Think about why so many parents enroll their kids in sports, music lessons, or theater. It’s not just about winning trophies—it’s about learning how to start small, practice consistently, and grow through challenges. Adults are no different. We build self-belief the same way: by starting something new and sticking with it until we improve.
Turn Talent into Skill
Everyone has natural leanings—things that feel intuitive or come easier than others. But talent alone doesn’t move the needle. It’s only when you nurture that raw ability with consistent effort that it transforms into something valuable. What once felt like a hobby or curiosity can become a powerful tool that creates impact—if you choose to sharpen it.
The Power of Honest Effort
There’s a quiet kind of confidence that comes from knowing you gave something your best. Even if the result wasn’t perfect, the act of showing up fully changes how you see yourself. On the flip side, when we coast or offer half-hearted effort, it’s hard to feel proud. That tension between who we are and what we’re capable of can eat away at us. But the good news? We can close that gap anytime we choose to lean in and try again.
Train in the Shadows
Not every season comes with applause or recognition—and that’s actually a gift. Growth often happens in quiet, hidden spaces where we’re free to mess up, experiment, and get better without the pressure of performing. It’s in the late nights, early mornings, and off-the-clock hustle that mastery is born. When the spotlight does come, you’ll be ready—not because you’re lucky, but because you’ve prepared.
Focus Beats Comparison
It’s easy to fall into the trap of measuring your progress against someone else’s highlight reel. But comparison drains energy that could be fueling your growth. When you focus on your own lane—on your unique gifts, goals, and path—you stop feeling “behind” and start feeling aligned. The most freeing thing you can do is put your head down and concentrate on becoming the best version of you.
Every Season Prepares You
Even the jobs you didn’t love, the seasons that felt like detours, and the roles that seemed too small—they all taught you something. When you show up with intention, you gain skills and character that prepare you for what’s next. Don’t underestimate what today’s responsibilities are building in you for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Use What’s in Your Hands
You may not have everything you want right now, but you do have something. Skills to sharpen, relationships to invest in, projects to take ownership of. Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity, make the most of the one in front of you. That’s where growth happens. Look at what’s in your hands—not just metaphorically, but literally. What tools, resources, or connections do you already have? Start there.
Build the Person You Want to Be
Who you’re becoming isn’t just about big goals—it’s about daily choices. You shape your future by the way you approach your present. Do you show up with excellence even when no one’s watching? Do you ask for feedback? Do you keep learning? Every small decision adds up. Over time, those habits become character. And that character becomes the foundation of your confidence, your career, and your calling
Blog Series is based on book by Russ Moore (2024), Confidence: Destroy Insecurity. Discover Freedom.
Check out the full series!
This post is just one of the Confidence: Destroy Insecurity. Discover Freedom Series. Be sure to check out my in-depth posts for the whole series:
- Snares of Insecurity and Zero-Sum Thinking
- Jealousy, Shame, and Emotional Baggage
- Personal Limitations and Pride
- Finding Identity and Worth: The Journey to Wholeness
- Thirsty : Understanding Our Deepest Needs
- Who is in the Mirror? Envisioning the Future Self
- The Power of Self-Belief
- Confidence Comes from Integrity
- Humility and Confidence: The Two Sides of Growth
- You Can Do Hard Things: The Courageous Path to Mental Resilience
- Challenges Expand Our Mental and Emotional Capacity
- Walking in Confidence Through Daily Discipline
- Confidence Starts with Competence
- Handling Hardships (stay tuned; coming soon!)