The Confidence to Create
There’s something magical about the act of creating. Whether it’s designing a product, writing a story, or brainstorming the next big idea, creation is the spark that moves the world forward. Creativity can also be terrifying. The blank page, the empty canvas, the untested idea, it’s enough to make even the most ambitious person hesitate.
Why? Because creation demands more than just imagination. It takes courage, resilience, and, above all, confidence. The confidence to try, to fail, and to try again. The confidence to step into the unknown and say, “I have something to offer.”
Yet, for many of us, confidence feels elusive. It’s that friend who promises to show up but doesn’t always answer the door when you knock. So how do we build it? And how do we use it to step into roles of innovation and leadership? Let’s explore the journey of finding the confidence to create, backed by practical tips, real-life stories, and a healthy dose of inspiration.
The Inner Critic
Before we dive in, let’s address the elephant in the room: self-doubt. It doesn’t matter if you’re a budding entrepreneur, an artist, or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company self-doubt has a way of creeping in.
Even the greats have struggled with it. Take J.K. Rowling, for example. Before Harry Potter became a global phenomenon, her manuscript was rejected by 12 publishers. Can you imagine if she’d given up after the first rejection? The world would have missed out on a magical universe that has defined generations.
The truth is, self-doubt is a natural part of the creative process. It’s your brain’s way of protecting you from failure, but it often ends up holding you back instead. The key is not to silence the inner critic, but to acknowledge it and move forward anyway.
Building Resilience
Confidence doesn’t appear out of thin air it’s built through resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, and let’s face it, setbacks are an inevitable part of any creative journey.
Think of Sir James Dyson, the inventor of the Dyson vacuum cleaner. It took him 5,126 prototypes to create a working model. That’s 5,125 failures before he found success. Most people would have given up after the first few tries, but Dyson’s resilience allowed him to keep going. Today, his company is worth billions.
So how can you build resilience in your own life? Here are a few tips:
Reframe Failure: Instead of seeing failure as a dead end, view it as a stepping stone. Each failure teaches you something valuable that brings you closer to success.
Celebrate Small Wins: Confidence grows with every small victory. Acknowledge your progress, no matter how minor it may seem.
Develop a Growth Mindset: Embrace the idea that skills and abilities can be developed with effort. As psychologist Carol Dweck says, “It’s not about being good; it’s about getting better.”
Stepping into Innovation
Innovation isn’t just creating something new, it’s creating something meaningful. And that requires stepping out of your comfort zone.
Take the example of Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. Before Spanx, the idea of comfortable, effective shapewear was practically non-existent. Sara didn’t have a background in fashion or business, but she believed in her idea. She took risks, made cold calls, and even cut the feet off her tights to create her first prototype. Today, she’s one of the world’s youngest self-made billionaires.
Stepping into innovation roles often means challenging the status quo. It means asking questions like:
“Is there a better way to do this?”
“What problem needs solving?”
“What’s stopping me from being the one to solve it?”
The truth is, you don’t need to have all the answers to be innovative. What you do need is the confidence to ask the questions.
Practical Guidance for Building Confidence
Confidence isn’t a fixed trait; it’s a skill that can be developed over time. Here’s how:
Start Small
Confidence grows with action. Begin with small, manageable steps, whether it’s sharing an idea in a meeting or starting a side project. Each step builds momentum.Surround Yourself with Support
Seek out mentors, colleagues, or friends who believe in you and your ideas. As the saying goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”Learn to Adapt
The road to innovation is rarely straight. Be prepared to pivot when things don’t go as planned. Flexibility is a sign of strength, not weakness.Visualise Success
Take a moment to imagine yourself achieving your goal. What does it look like? How does it feel? Visualisation can help you overcome fear and focus on the possibilities.Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Theodore Roosevelt said it best: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Focus on your own journey, and remember that success looks different for everyone.Invest in Your Growth
Building confidence is a journey, and sometimes we need a roadmap. Our course, The Confidence Blueprint, is designed to help you build resilience, overcome self-doubt, and step into your potential. It’s packed with practical tools and strategies to help you unlock your creative power.
Real-Life Inspiration
If you’re still doubting your ability to create, let’s look at some inspiring examples:
Oprah Winfrey: Before becoming a media mogul, Oprah was told she wasn’t fit for television. She turned that rejection into fuel for her dreams, building an empire based on authenticity and connection.
Elon Musk: Love him or hate him, Musk’s confidence in his vision has led to groundbreaking innovations in electric cars and space exploration. His motto? “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favour.”
Malala Yousafzai: At just 15 years old, Malala stood up for girls’ education despite facing unimaginable adversity. Her courage and determination remind us that even the smallest voices can create global change.
The confidence to create isn’t about being fearless, it’s about being brave enough to act despite your fears. It’s about embracing the messy, imperfect process of innovation and trusting that your ideas are worth pursuing.
Remember, every great invention, every iconic work of art, every groundbreaking idea started as a tiny spark in someone’s mind. The only difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is the willingness to take that first step.
So, what are you waiting for? The world is waiting for your ideas. Take a deep breath, silence the inner critic, and create something extraordinary. Because the truth is, you’re more capable than you realise.
We’ve spent 2025 cutting through the digital noise and uncovering what really drives growth, and now we’re sharing those insights with you. Join us on Friday 14 November at 4-6pm at Tide HQ, The Featherstone Building EC1 (Join us In-person or online) for The Winter Meeting with the theme: “Insights for 2025 and Shaping 2026 Growth Through DEI.”
Expect proven strategies on leadership, AI, workplace culture, digital presence, and finance, plus the latest DEI trends that will shape innovation and resilience in 2026. You’ll leave with practical tools, insider knowledge, and new connections with leaders and change makers.
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