Confidence is often seen as a prerequisite for success. We assume we need to feel confident before we take on a challenge, speak up in meetings, or apply for a promotion. But the truth? Confidence doesn’t come before action—it comes from action.

Most successful professionals didn’t wait until they felt 100% ready before stepping up. They took risks, navigated uncertainty, and built confidence through experience. Waiting until you feel completely prepared is often just a form of self-doubt in disguise. It’s the fear of failing, the fear of not being “good enough,” and the fear of being exposed as an imposter.

But growth happens in the discomfort. The only way to become confident in leading meetings is to start leading them. The only way to feel prepared for a bigger role is to take on more responsibility. The only way to believe in your ability is to prove to yourself—through action—that you can do it.

If you’re holding yourself back because you don’t feel ready, remind yourself: No one feels fully ready for their next level of growth. The difference between those who succeed and those who stay stuck is the willingness to start before they feel ready. The confidence will follow.