Ever found yourself waiting to feel confident before taking that important step? You're not alone. The myth of confidence keeps countless people stuck in perpetual preparation mode, forever postponing meaningful conversations, career moves, and personal growth.

What I've discovered—both personally and through coaching clients like "Dave"—is that we've been thinking about confidence all wrong. Confidence isn't something we need before taking action; it's what naturally develops after we've shown up consistently. It's not a feeling to chase but a byproduct of courage.

In this episode, I break down the crucial difference between confidence (which is really just competence) and self-confidence (the understanding that outcomes don't define us). Dave's story illustrates how building a body of evidence from past experiences where we've acted despite fear creates a foundation for taking courageous steps in other areas of life.

The key insight? Courage means accepting all emotions—fear, nervousness, uncertainty—without letting them dictate our actions. These feelings don't signal a lack of confidence; they confirm our humanity. By acknowledging them while still moving forward, we discover that confidence emerges naturally through the process.

Whether it's having difficult conversations, sending postponed emails, or launching that podcast you've been planning, remember: confidence isn't the prerequisite for action—it's the reward you get after taking it.

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