How to Get Confident and Overcome Fear (Without Losing Your Mind in the Process)
Jo Rawald • November 10, 2024
Here’s the thing about confidence - we all want it, but most of us feel like confidence is really a mysterious creature lurking in the wild—you’ve heard of it, but you’ve never actually seen it in your own mirror. The good news? Confidence isn’t some magical trait bestowed on a lucky few; it’s a skill you can build, like assembling IKEA furniture (but way less frustrating).
If fear has ever held you back (and believe me, I’ve been there), it’s time to push it aside and step into your most confident self. Let’s dive in and get real about what it takes to build confidence, because life is way too short to play small.
1. Make Fear Your Frenemy
Let’s be real - Fear has a way of showing up at the worst possible times, like an uninvited guest at your dinner party. But instead of trying to ignore it, what if you made friends with it? Do what Niccolò Machiavelli says and, “Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.”
Fear isn’t there to ruin your day; it’s just a signal that you’re pushing beyond your comfort zone. When you feel that sweaty-palmed panic, take it as a sign you’re on the right track.
In fact, the next time fear pops up, just stop and say, “Oh hey, fear! Thanks for showing up and reminding me I’m doing something new. Now, grab a seat—I’ve got work to do.”
Pro Tip - Give your fear a silly nickname, like “Nervous Nelly.” It’s harder to take it seriously when you’re like, “Oh great, here comes Nelly again, freaking out over nothing.”
2. Start Small, Win Big
Confidence isn’t built by jumping off a cliff; it’s built by taking tiny steps (preferably in sneakers, not stilettos). Start with small, manageable goals that feel just a smidge outside your comfort zone. Did you finally ask a question during that Zoom meeting instead of staying muted the whole time? That’s a win, my friend. Celebrate it like you just won the lottery.
Confidence is a snowball effect—each little victory adds up. Pretty soon, you’ll be rolling into your goals like a confident avalanche.
Quick Win -
Instead of saying, “I’ll conquer the world today,” try, “I’ll send that email I’ve been dreading.” Then, reward yourself with a mini dance party or a trip to Starbucks.
3. Tell Your Inner Critic to Take a Seat
We all have that inner voice that sounds like a grumpy old man muttering, “You can’t do this.”
Here’s the trick - Instead of letting that voice run the show, talk back to it. Imagine you’re the sassy lead in your own sitcom. When your inner critic says, “You’re not good enough,” respond with, “Oh please, watch me!”
Try This - Create a playlist of your favorite hype songs. Whenever your inner critic pipes up, hit play and drown it out with some Taylor Swift-level confidence. It’s hard to feel down when you’ve got "Shake It Off" blasting in the background.
4. Find Your Hype Squad
Look, confidence isn’t a solo sport—it’s a team effort. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, even when you’re doubting yourself. Find those friends or mentors who are basically like your personal cheerleaders, shouting, “You’ve got this!”
when you need it most.
And if you don’t have your hype squad yet, don’t worry—you can find one. Join a group of like-minded people who are on the same journey, or connect with someone who inspires you. Life’s too short to hang out with people who make you feel like a deflated balloon. As Jim Rohn would say, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
Pro Tip - Ask a trusted friend to send you a voice memo hyping you up before a big presentation or meeting. Listen to it anytime you need a confidence boost—it’s like your own personal pep talk on demand.
5. Ditch Perfectionism (It’s Overrated Anyway)
Let’s all take a moment to acknowledge that perfectionism is just fear dressed up in a fancy suit. It’s like that friend who always insists on using a filter on their selfies. Instead of aiming for perfect, aim for progress. It’s okay if things get a little messy—as long as you’re moving forward, you’re winning.
Perfection is boring, anyway. It’s the mistakes and quirks that make things interesting. Give yourself permission to be human, and watch your confidence skyrocket.
Our New Mantra -
“Done is better than perfect.” Write it on a sticky note and slap it on your desk if you need the reminder.
6. Visualize Like You Mean It
Okay, this might sound a bit woo-woo, but stick with me - Visualization is like daydreaming, but with a purpose. Close your eyes and picture yourself nailing that big presentation or crushing that sales call. Imagine every detail, from the confident smile on your face to the round of applause you get when you’re done. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between what’s real and what’s vividly imagined, so give it something good to work with.
Try This -
Spend a few minutes each day visualizing your future success. And if you’re feeling fancy, throw in a power pose (yes, Wonder Woman style) for good measure.
7. Keep Your Confidence Tank Full
You can’t feel like a rockstar if you’re running on empty. Confidence is directly tied to how you take care of yourself, so make sure you’re fueling up. Get enough sleep, feed yourself real food (not just coffee and leftover pizza), and move your body. I promise you - confidence comes easier when you’re not
feeling like a zombie.
And don’t forget your mental health! Make time for things that recharge you—whether that’s a walk in the park, a good book, or dancing around your living room like nobody’s watching (and if someone is watching, make it a show!).
Pro Tip -
Schedule self-care activities like you would a meeting with your most important client. You wouldn’t cancel on them, so don’t cancel on yourself.
Final Thought => Confidence Is Built One Bold Step at a Time
Here’s the thing - Confidence isn’t about feeling fearless all the time (spoiler alert - no one does!). It’s about showing up and taking-action even when fear is knocking at your door. It’s the little moments where you choose to believe in yourself, even if just for a second longer than you normally would.
Remember, you don’t need to have it all figured out right now. You just need to take the next step. And the next. Pretty soon, you’ll look back and realize that the confident, unstoppable person you’ve become was there all along—just waiting for you to let them out.
So here’s your challenge - Pick one thing from this list and try it today. You’ve got this, and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.
And if you need a little extra push? Hit me up. I’m here to help you build that confidence muscle until you’re flexing like a pro.
Keep Being Unstoppable!
Jo
Some of us were born with silver spoons. I was handed chopsticks….literally. My mom was a Chinese warrior in sneakers. She worked two jobs, barely spoke the language, and still managed to raise daughters who believed they could conquer the world. My dad, a Spanish-born U.S. Army veteran, served three tours in Vietnam and came home battling things no one saw, so Mom carried it all. The bills, the stress, the dreams. She taught me how to keep going, no matter what. And when life hit hard, and oh, it did, I remembered that. I’ve rebuilt my life after loss, trauma, and a head-on collision that nearly took me out. I've grown a business through grief, strokes, heart failure, and hard-won lessons. And through it all, one thing has always stayed the same: I believe women are built to rise. Not to struggle endlessly, but to build empires that outlast and outshine. That’s why I do what I do. And why I’m sharing this today. Because right now, there’s a golden opportunity hiding in your business, and less than 1% of owners are using it. Let’s change that.
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You ever walk into Costco for one thing, and leave wondering what the heck just happened to your life? That was me last night. All I needed was paper towels. Just one 12-pack brick of industrial absorbency, thank you very much. But the moment I stepped through those magical warehouse doors, it all unraveled. First, I saw a velvet chaise lounge I definitely don’t need. Then - it was a six-tier spice rack. A kayak. A weighted blanket. A 5-lb tub of Gummy Bears I haven’t stopped thinking about. By the time I made it to checkout, I was $312 deep in, “Maybe I’ll use this someday ” purchases. And that’s when it hit me. This is exactly what shiny object syndrome looks like. Not just in Costco. In business. You start with a clear goal - launch a course, a new service or a new product, finish your website, close three new clients. But somewhere along the way, you get distracted by someone else’s launch, a new app, a Canva template you’ll definitely use one day. You buy a course. Download a funnel template. Rebrand your business at midnight. Before you know it, you’re carting around half-baked ideas and unopened tools you never actually needed, and your real revenue-generating work is buried under distractions. It’s a costly habit. Not just in money but, in time, clarity, confidence, and momentum. Here’s your wake-up call => If it doesn’t drive sales, systems, or sanity - put it back on the shelf. You don’t need more stuff. You need a strategy that works. One that moves your business forward with intention and impact. So if you’re tired of carting around the chaos, and ready to focus on what actually gets results - I got you. Check out the free resources on my site or book a quick call. No pressure. Just clarity, next steps, and a bold plan that keeps your eyes on the prize. Download your free Focus to Profit Blueprint so, the next time distraction shows up dressed as a business breakthrough, you’ll know the difference. With Grace & Grit, Jo Jo Rawald Growth Architect for Women Entrepreneurs | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt 📞 (305) 934-0006 | ✉️ jo@jorawald.com www.JoRawald.com | @xojorawald www.QueenKongBiz.com | @queenkongbiz
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Your business is not a side dish. It’s the main course—and it deserves to be treated like one. In this no-BS blog, I’m calling out “leftover” business strategies that leave women entrepreneurs stuck, stressed, and scaling in all the wrong ways. Discover how to build a business that’s bold, sustainable, and built to outlast trends using my BAMBOO Framework.
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If your business feels like a tornado of to-do lists, dropped balls, and duct-taped systems… it’s not just exhausting—it’s expensive.
Chaos costs you time, clarity, and cold hard cash.
This blog is your wake-up call:
🛠️ Simplify your operations
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You’re not charging too much. You’re not “bad at sales.”
You’re just leaving money on the table—and this blog breaks down exactly how to stop.
If you’re underpricing, over-delivering, or relying on guesswork to grow… you’re leaking profit.
Let’s fix that.
I’m giving you the tools to:
💰 Price like a pro
📊 Package for profit
🎯 Sell with strategy
Read it, bookmark it, share it with your business BFFs →
👉 www.jorawald.com/youre-leaving-money-on-the-table-lets-fix-that