Confidence is something you create within yourself by believing in who YOU are.

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build. It grows through consistent action, resilience, and intentional mindset shifts. Though it takes time to develop, confidence can be quickly shaken. One of the biggest challenges to build confidence is our ego’s tendency to tear down both ourselves and others. Whether it’s bullies spreading rumors in school, colleagues undermining one another at work, or our own inner critic replaying past failures, these patterns chip away at self-belief and foster insecurity.

But confidence can be built, one intentional action at a time, because it comes from within.

Start and end each day with gratitude. Your mindset affects how you show up in the world—how you make decisions, adapt to challenges, and see the bigger picture. Confidence doesn’t require perfection or fearlessness. By shifting to positive thinking, you naturally develop friendlier behaviors that bring ease to your day.

When we learn to manage our perspective, we begin to strengthen our self-trust. That’s where confidence starts. Here are a few ways to grow into the most confident version of yourself.

  1. Shift your mindset 

Learn about the Growth Mindset (vs. Fixed Mindset). When we become fixated on ways of being, we close ourselves off to progress and growth! A growth mindset embraces challenges as opportunities to learn and improve. It’s okay to not be good at something, or even to be bad at it. Perfectionism and unrealistic standards often hold us back from starting at all. We tell ourselves we need to have it all figured out before we begin, but that mindset only delays growth. Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” try, “I’m still learning.” Language matters, so learning to shift the way you speak to yourself will help immensely. How you speak to yourself shapes your confidence, your identity, and your ability to improve.

Progress doesn’t require perfection; it requires presence and persistence. There is immense value in the process itself. The effort, the trial and error, the resilience. It’s in these moments that real growth happens. Life is not about arriving at some flawless end point. So much of what matters is found in the journey. 

  1. Create small daily wins through habits.

Learn to build confidence by proving to yourself that you can follow through with what you say you are going to do. It can start with small healthy habits like making your bed, flossing more, reading ten pages a day, or going on breaks to walk. These may seem minor, but they reinforce your confidence in your capabilities to do and finish things. These micro-goals develop your sense of self-efficacy and make it easier when you take on larger challenges. The key is to integrate them into your routine, so you don’t have to rely solely on motivation. Then sooner or later, you realize you can do hard things even when you don’t want to, because it is habit!

  1. Grow your skillset.

Once you’ve mastered small habits, gradually expand them. Confidence that’s rooted in real skill is strong and sustainable. Invest in learning and personal growth with outside hobbies or things you enjoy doing! The more things you feel capable of doing, the better you will feel about trying new or hard things. Skillsets don’t have to be computer coding or pottery making. It could even start with learning to cook, clean, or take care of yourself better. Realizing that you have room to grow in your skills will continue to help you grow, remember Growth Mindset!

  1. Focus on financial confidence

Building confidence is important by taking control of your finances, ( but I may be bias as an advisor…). When I first started working, I had no idea what I didn’t know. I just knew that I needed to put money into a thing called a “401K”. After a few years of that, I realized I was so unsure about my own finances and that worried me deeply! So, I learned to take action in educating myself about financial literacy and confidence. Improving your financial literacy, whether through budgeting, saving, or paying down debt, can help reduce stress and empower you with greater independence. You don’t need to be wealthy to feel secure; you just need a plan, a system, and the consistency to stick with it. Confidence grows when you know where your money is going and how it’s working for you.

Being financially independent, even within a romantic relationship, strengthens your sense of identity and self-reliance. It allows you to make empowered decisions, contribute with confidence, and maintain healthy boundaries. When both partners are financially competent, it fosters mutual respect and trust which helps lay the foundation for a stronger, more balanced relationship.

  1. Celebrate progress, not perfection

Confidence is not built overnight. It comes from making consistent, intentional decisions, even when they feel small. Track your progress and celebrate the small wins along the way. Over time, these small steps can add up to meaningful transformation. A year from now, you may not recognize the person you’ve become.

So, take the next step now, no matter how big or small. Trust yourself. Do the work. Keep going.
You’re capable of more than you think.

Marilyn Suey

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®

Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor®

Accredited Investment Fiduciary®

Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor®

925-219-0080

marilyn.suey@diamondgroupwealthadvisors.com

Marilyn Suey is a Registered Representative with, and securities and Retirement Plan Consulting Program advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. Other advisory services offered through Mariner Independent Advisor Network, LLC a Registered Investment Advisor. The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors and Mariner Independent Advisor Network, LLC are separate entities from LPL Financial.CA Insurance License #0E01981

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification mark CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ® in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification mark.

Marilyn is the Founder and CEO of The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors. She is a nationally recognized Financial Educator, Author, Speaker, and Wealth Manager, who you may have seen on NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX network affiliates and Yahoo News, Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch, Wall Street Select and others. Marilyn and her team at The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors have been showing business owners, healthcare professionals, and executives how to accumulate, preserve, and pass on their wealth for almost 20 years. Marilyn developed The Prosperity Blue Print , a five-step wealth planning process, that includes strategy for Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Preservation, and planning for your ideal retirement lifestyle. She founded the Savvy Women Community where she shares her wisdom and experience with like-minded women. She received an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a degree in Applied Math and Economics from UC Berkeley. To schedule your complimentary Lifestyle Upgrade Assessment, call: (925) 219-0080 or email; marilyn.suey@diamondgroupwealthadvisors.com