In this episode, I break down one of the biggest misconceptions about confidence: it doesn’t come from success, certainty, or feeling ready. It’s built through follow-through, especially when things feel uncomfortable.

I explore why avoidance often masquerades as logic for high performers, how fear actually strengthens when we dodge discomfort, and why confidence quietly erodes when self-trust is compromised.

This conversation is about rebuilding confidence from the inside out by doing the hard things, consistently and with integrity.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Confidence is built through follow-through, not success

• Avoidance strengthens fear rather than reducing it

• Confidence is retrospective — it comes after you survive discomfort

• Self-trust is the foundation of lasting confidence

• Avoidance is often about protecting identity, not avoiding tasks

• Small, repeated exposures to discomfort build resilience

• Integrity matters more than intensity when building confidence

• Doing things imperfectly still counts as progress

• Your nervous system needs proof, not pressure

• One intentional discomfort a day compounds self-trust

Links and Resources:

Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/

The Happy Stack Newsletter: https://happystack.substack.com/

Success Takes Courage Book: https://a.co/d/dgOqpbj

Becoming the Eight Percent Book: https://a.co/d/gcqxerH

If this episode challenged how you think about confidence, share it with someone who’s been waiting to feel ready before taking the next step.

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• (00:00:01) - The Happy Stack Podcast
• (00:00:34) - How Do You Build Confidence?
• (00:05:31) - Confidence Building in a Way That Actually Works