I remember a season in my life when I would show up to work—my work—and feel this quiet, aching doubt rise in my chest.

Not because I didn’t care.

But because I cared so much.

And that deep care sometimes came with second-guessing… comparison… or the fear that I wasn’t “enough” to do what I was being called to do.

Whether you work in a traditional office, run your own business, lead a team, or create from your kitchen table with a laptop and a big dream… confidence can be hard to access.

Especially when you're doing something that matters to you.
Especially when you're putting your voice, your gifts, your heart out into the world.

And if you’ve ever felt small, unqualified, invisible, or uncertain in your work—I want you to know: you are not alone.

Confidence isn’t something reserved for a chosen few.
It’s not something you either have or don’t have.

It’s something you build. Gently. Intentionally. Slowly.

Through small moments of bravery and quiet self-trust.
It grows over time—when you speak even though your voice shakes.
When you lead even when you’re still learning.
When you let yourself be seen before you feel fully “ready.”

Today, I’m sharing a guide on how to gain confidence at work—not just for employees in traditional roles, but for dreamers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and women stepping into leadership in their own unique way.

Because no matter where you work or what you’re building, you deserve to feel strong, grounded, and deeply worthy in your work.

Because this isn’t just about professional growth—it’s about personal and professional healing. It’s about reclaiming your voice in every part of your life.

How to Gain Confidence at Work

Confidence in the workplace isn’t about perfection.
It’s about presence.

It’s about knowing that your ideas matter. That your voice belongs in the room. That you don’t have to earn your worth—it’s already yours.

In this post, we’ll talk about why confidence in the workplace is so important, what might be getting in your way, and how to build your confidence in a way that feels gentle, grounded, and real.

Because this isn’t just about professional growth—it’s about personal freedom, too.

Why Is Confidence Important at Work

It Helps You Overcome Challenges With More Ease

Whether you’re launching a new offer, applying for a dream job, hosting your first workshop, or navigating a tricky client relationship—confidence helps you stay grounded in the process.

It allows you to view setbacks as part of the journey, not proof that you’re failing.
It helps you see every moment as a learning experience, which is exactly what it is.

It Helps You Communicate with More Clarity

Confidence doesn’t mean you always have the perfect words—it just means you trust yourself enough to speak anyway.

Whether you're sharing your idea in team meetings, pitching a new project, or setting a boundary with a collaborator, confidence helps your message land.

You speak with less apology. More truth. More grace.
And people notice.

It Fuels Your Growth Mindset

When you have a growth mindset, you believe you can learn and improve with time. Confidence gives you the courage to try something new—even if it’s outside your comfort zone.

It helps you see your potential not as something far away, but as something already inside you, just waiting to be nurtured.

It Builds Trust and Connection

The most magnetic people I know aren’t the ones with perfect resumes.

They’re the ones who carry a quiet, honest confidence. They show up as they are. They lead with their hearts. They let you exhale just by being in the room.

And when you feel confident in your own skin, people around you feel safe, too. Whether you’re leading a team, starting a business, or building a brand—you become a steady presence in the room.

What Causes Lack of Confidence at Work

Here’s something I wish more people said out loud:

If you feel unconfident at work, it doesn’t mean you’re broken.
It means you’ve been moving through hard things without enough support.

Here are a few common reasons so many of us struggle with confidence:

Imposter syndrome
Fear of failure or judgment
Past criticism or unresolved negative feedback
Lack of representation or safe spaces
Comparison to others in your field
Unrealistic expectations and perfectionism
Negative self talk or harsh inner narratives
Not feeling supported by a community or mentor
Staying too long in your comfort zone out of fear
Deep care that gets tangled up with self-doubt

If you saw yourself in that list, take a breath.
You are not alone. And there are ways through.

How to Be More Confident at Work

These are the practices I return to—again and again—when my confidence feels shaky.

They aren’t about “fixing” yourself.
They’re about coming back to who you already are.

Practice Self-Awareness With Compassion

Start by noticing. When does your confidence dip?

Is it during client calls? Creative reviews? Social media launches? Speaking up in team meetings?

This isn’t about judging yourself—it’s about witnessing your patterns.
And when you see them clearly, you can meet them with kindness. That’s where healing begins.

Speak with Intention, Not Apology

Have you ever softened your voice or doubted your words mid-sentence?

I have. Many times.

Confidence starts to grow when you shift your language. Say what you mean—clearly and gently.

Try this:

Instead of: “Sorry if this sounds dumb…”
Try: “I’ve been thinking about this idea and would love to share it.”

Instead of: “I’m probably wrong…”
Try: “Here’s what I’ve observed so far.”

Your voice matters.
Let it carry.

(And if fear of criticism still lingers, this guide on How To Deal With Negative Feedback might feel like a warm blanket on a cold day.)

Give Yourself Credit—Even for the Quiet Wins

Sometimes the bravest things we do go unseen.

You sent the email. You followed up. You said no. You showed up again.

Give yourself credit.
Every step counts. Every act of courage matters.
Confidence grows—not because someone praised you, but because you did.

Each time you acknowledge your effort—no matter how small—you boost your confidence from the inside out. Not because someone clapped for you, but because you chose to see yourself.

Focus on Your Strengths

What are you really good at?

Make a list. Write it down. Say it out loud.

We spend so much energy trying to “fix” what we lack… and forget to honor what’s already beautiful within us.

Confidence increases when you lead from your strengths.

Use Positive Affirmations to Rewire the Inner Narrative

Your inner voice is always speaking.
What if it started cheering you on?

Try these:

“I am safe to be seen.”
“I am allowed to lead.”
“I’m building something beautiful—even if it’s messy right now.”
“I can trust myself here.”

Say them often. Especially on the hard days.
Let them become your new inner soundtrack.

Support Your Mindset with Tools That Raise Your Frequency

Some days, the spiral is too loud to untangle alone.

That’s why I created The Freq App—a soft place to land when your confidence feels fragile.

Inside, you’ll find soul-led audio affirmations, high-frequency guidance, and energetic resets to help you shift out of doubt and back into trust. Whether you’re prepping for a big meeting or just trying to move through the day without shrinking, The Freq App is a tool to walk with you.

You don’t have to do this alone.
You never did.

Let The Freq App walk beside you as you build confidence at work—moment by moment, breath by breath.

Build a Supportive Network

You don’t need a huge circle of cheerleaders.
Just one or two people who reflect your light back to you when you forget.

Surround yourself with people who make you feel more like yourself—not less.
Support is sacred. Let it in.

Gently Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

You don’t have to leap.
You just have to stretch.

Speak up once more this week. Share your work. Say yes. Say no. Apply. Launch. Ask.

Each stretch sends a message to your nervous system: “It’s safe to grow.”
And the more you stretch, the more confidence expands to meet you there.

Each small stretch—each time you say yes to growth—increases your confidence and teaches your nervous system: “It’s safe to be seen here.”

Final Thoughts

Confidence isn’t a destination.
It’s a practice.

And you, sweet soul, are already on the path.

Whether you’re building a business from scratch, navigating a new role, leading a team, or simply learning to trust your voice again… confidence isn’t about becoming louder or tougher.

It’s about becoming more you.

It’s built in the small moments.
The honest ones.
The times you show up when it would be easier to hide.

Confidence is built when you whisper “I can do this” even when everything in you says “you can’t.”

It’s built when you start to believe in your own ideas—even before anyone else does.

You don’t have to earn your place.
You don’t have to prove your worth.

You are already worthy.
You are already capable.

And every small step you take is building something sacred—not just for you, but for every person who will be changed by your courage.

So take the next brave step.
And know this—I’m walking with you.

Live on Purpose. Live on Frequency.

Jaclyn Steele Thurmond

How to Gain Confidence at Work: For Creatives, Leaders, Dreamers & Anyone Who’s Ever Felt Small