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
I went to a networking event yesterday at Rosie’s Bar & Grill in Wilton Manors. Tropical-chic to the max. You know the kind of place - upscale casual, strong cocktails, mandatory valet. Now usually, I’m all about valet. But not yesterday. I wasn’t there to sip martinis or hang around all night. I could only stay for 20-minutes. That means - I was on a serious 20-minute mission: say hi, shake hands, peace out. Then, get back in my car to jump on a Zoom meeting! I certainly wasn’t about to drop $20 just to park my car for 20 minutes. No way! I pulled into the valet area, looked the guy dead in the eye, and said, “I’ll be in and out faster than your last relationship. Can I just park it right here?” And bless his heart - he said yes. Honestly, that should’ve been my win for the night. But then I met Sean Gac-Guerrier. Sean’s the Marketing Director at Excel Title, Inc. We started talking about dogs - and **cue the angels singing. We clicked instantly. Not two strangers meeting, more like two childhood friends who hadn’t seen each other in a decade! Sean showed me a photo of his dog, Dottie. I pulled out pics of my girl, Adelaide. Then he pulled out a photo of Dottie that stopped me in my tracks. Sean had a photo of what Dottie would look like as a human. Not a cartoon. Not a filter. I’m talking AI-generated, fully humanized, real-world, cardigan-wearing, intelligent-and-intimidating Dottie. I was mesmerized! It was as if Pixar and the FBI teamed up to design her. I looked at Adelaide’s pic… then looked back at Sean… and blurted out, “I need to humanize my dog!!” And I did. I went home, found the exact AI prompt, uploaded Adelaide’s photo, answered a few fun questions about her personality, and style - then… BOOM. Human Adelaide was born. Tall, lean, cozy-chic, with that unmistakable “don’t-mess-with-me-but-I’ll-still-hug-you” vibe. She looked like she ran Homeland Security and still had time for tacos and espresso martinis on a rooftop. Honestly? I stared at the image for like five minutes. Because it wasn’t just about making something cute. It was about seeing something familiar - something you know - come to life in a new way. Here’s the AI Prompt if you want to try it yourself:
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.
Too many women are stuck in the hustle—working nonstop, solving the same problems, and barely seeing the return.
You didn’t start your business to burn out. You started it to break free.
If you’re ready to ditch the stress and build a business that actually pays you back, this is your moment.
Join me LIVE in South Florida at Brains, Brilliance & Bold Moves—where I’ll show you how to scale smart, simplify your systems, and make way more money doing less.
🍷 Dinner, wine, and your profit breakthrough: www.jorawald.com/Brains-Brilliance-and-Bold-Moves
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
💸 Stop bleeding profit
📈 Build a business that works for you
Read it. Apply it. Start making smart money moves →
👉 https://siteeditor.thryv.com/home/site/c8e9f361/blog/if-your-business-feels-like-a-hot-mess-its-costing-you-money#preview
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
The right clients are watching—but do they actually know what you do?
If your messaging is vague, cute, or confusing, you’re basically invisible.
This blog is your wake-up call to get crystal clear, magnetic, and straight-up undeniable.
You’ll learn how to:
🧲 Attract the right people (without chasing)
📢 Clarify your offer
👑 Show up as the go-to expert in your space
Because your next client isn’t on the fence—they’re just unsure if you are the answer. Fix that here →
👉 www.jorawald.com/the-right-clients-should-be-coming-to-you-theyre-watching-but-do-they-know-what-you-do
One Zoom call. That’s all it took to blow up how I coach—and rebuild it into something way more powerful.
If you’re overcomplicating your client process, trying to “do it all,” or feel like coaching is starting to drain you… this blog is your game-changer.
Inside, I break down:
🔥 The shift that simplified everything
🎯 How I get faster results (without burning out)
💡 What most coaches get totally wrong
If you’re a coach or service provider who’s doing the most and getting the least—read this NOW.
👉 www.jorawald.com/this-one-zoom-call-changed-how-i-coached-forever
If your business isn’t making money… it’s not a business. It’s an expensive, exhausting hobby.
This blog is for the women out here grinding, posting, perfecting—but still not profiting.
It’s time to change that.
Inside, I cover:
💰 Why profit has to come first
🛠️ What to fix if your sales are flat
🎯 How to stop playing business and start running one
This one’s a tough-love truth bomb—with the strategy to back it up.
👉 www.jorawald.com/if-your-business-isnt-making-money-you-have-an-exhausting-hobby
They’re dyeing rivers green for attention—and you’re still “hoping” someone sees your post?
Nope. Not in this business.
Visibility isn’t optional. If you're not making waves, you're not getting paid.
This blog dives into why playing small is costing you BIG and how to show up like a brand that actually wants to win.
Inside, I break down:
🌊 Visibility vs. volume
🎯 Making moves that matter
💡 Building brand authority (without gimmicks)
Your audience is watching—what are you showing them?
👉 www.jorawald.com/they-re-dyeing-rivers-green-what-are-you-doing
Sometimes the best business lessons don’t come from a boardroom—they show up at the dog park.
This blog unpacks a real-life moment with my pup that exposed something big:
Too many women entrepreneurs are overthinking, under-trusting, and second-guessing their own power.
Here’s what I realized (and what you need to hear):
🐾 Your instincts are an asset
🧠 Overanalyzing kills momentum
👑 Leadership starts with self-trust
Don’t miss this one—it’s a mindset reset wrapped in fur.
👉 www.jorawald.com/the-lesson-i-didnt-expect-at-the-dog-park