Have More Creative Confidence (here’s how)
Wait, am I ready of this?? Self doubt might always be there, but you can lower its volume and its hold on you. Eventually, it’ll just be a stupid fly you can swat away.
Creative confidence isn’t one size fits all. It’s nuanced. There are patterns and shared experiences…but my struggles—your struggles—are still unique.
So this is simply a list of things I do to overcome sloppy confidence. But of all the confidence hacks out there, sometimes (often) the best solution is to just say “fuck it”. There’s a certain energy, an air of confidence, that comes with this carefree slightly punk attitude.
But let’s dig deeper. This is how I manage my own self doubt.
Why the Self doubt Sabotage?
What does confidence even look like? What type of confidence am I struggling with?
And why the hell is it so freaking persistent?
I have no training or degrees in how the mind works. But there are some common culprits for creative confidence issues:
Perfectionism
Identity confusion
Learned helplessness
Over-identifying with your work
Fear of being seen triggering anxiety and doubt
Fear of saying or doing the wrong thing (self censorship)
8 Ways I Cultivate More Creative Confidence
1. Just Do the Damn Thing
Confidence comes from doing.
And doing leads to massive skill development, which then leads to more confidence. Ultimately, you end up kickstarting a confidence-competence loop.
The best way to build confidence is to start taking action. Because feeling ready isn’t reliable.
Even when low confidence comes from lacking particular skills. One of the best ways to learn is to just do the thing. Otherwise, we might fall into that trap of over-learning, where you’re constantly in a loop of acquiring skills but never taking any action on them (or still not feeling ready).
A little study helps, sure. But throwing yourself into the action is like using one of the jet boosters from Mario Kart.
So stop waiting for confidence or a feeling of readiness. Do the thing—do it ugly, do it half-assed, do it wrong; just start.
Explore more:
➤ How to Have Quiet Confidence
2. Get Off IG
Comparison isn’t just the thief of joy. It robs confidence too.
I’ve been in this situation sooooo many times before. I’ll be excited about a project or idea, but then I scroll through Instagram and find other people doing things differently or better. And I start doubting my idea. My confidence dips. And I never end up pursuing my idea because of it.
Detoxing from social media is good for creativity (and mental health). You’ll probably come up with more unique ideas too, since you’re not being influenced by what’s trending or what’s “right and working” right now online.
But you don’t need to delete your account.
Limiting your time with apps or simply curating a better feed (by following more inspiring people) are powerful. Just be careful of the comparison trap, because I still fall for it…
Explore more:
➤ I Hate Social Media (so I made it fun again)
3. Work In the Zone of Proximal Development
“If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.”
If you work too far outside your current skillset, you’ll lose confidence and motivation. If you work too close within, you’ll get bored and not grow.
The sweet spot? Work just beyond your current level—also called the zone of proximal development.
This is where you’re pushing yourself to grow, but not too much.
A beginner guitar player probably shouldn’t start by trying to learn advanced Rufio guitar solos (yes, obscure pop punk reference). Nothing would destroy their confidence quicker.
So do a quick audit on the things you’re working on. Are you trying to work too far ahead? Maybe that’s the confidence issue.
Having big goals is great. But reverse engineer them into smaller pieces so you can chip away at things in a sustainable way.
4. Help Someone Else
Something interesting happens when you teach or help someone else. You become more confident in that subject matter.
It’s called the protégé effect, and it freaking works.
Maybe it’s because you prepare extra (knowing someone else’s understanding is on the line). Or maybe it’s because you realize how much you truly know (compared to someone who knows less).
Or maybe it’s the effect of wearing a professor’s persona—someone with knowledge who guides the student.
Whatever the case, teaching and helping others sparks inner confidence in whatever you’re doing. Try it out.
Explore more:
➤ How to Manifest Confidence
5. Remember Your Burning Why
Do you know your why?
And is it even burning?
A clear and compelling purpose doesn’t just give you inspiration and motivation…it gives you confidence. The confidence to push through discomfort and pain because the vision is stronger than the fear.
So, what’s your why?
Think about your values, life philosophy and mission. What are your beliefs and what makes you angry or excited? What impact do you want to have?
(and it doesn’t need to be crazy or grandiose)
Explore more:
➤ How to Find Your Ikigai (life purpose)
6. Clarify What You Do + Who You’re Talking to
Since identity confusion creates confidence issues, clarifying this is seriously helpful.
This is especially important if you’re multi-passionate. Because I felt scattered for years, which created stress and friction with anything I did.
Rather than starting my creative projects, I would just glitch and freeze, wondering what to do first. Wondering who I was or wanted to be (as a brand persona online making art and music).
But as soon as I clarified exactly who I am, what I do and who I’m speaking to, my confidence and creativity (and productivity) rebounded like crazy. Answering this question takes self reflection, experimentation and patience.
You can learn more about how to look within in this post.
And if you want more clarity around branding and growth as a multi-passionate, I have a whole other site and channel dedicated to that: Stuudios.
Otherwise, that’s all I’ve got.
Later ✌️
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