As the year draws to a close, it’s natural to pause and reflect on the challenges and changes we’ve faced. This year, I think of two business owners who made the incredibly tough decision to close part or all of their businesses due to lack of profitability. One, an NDIS-focused business, found their model became unsustainable after the NDIA moved the goalposts, making their work unviable. The other had been struggling to turn a profit ever since COVID and, despite their best efforts, had to face the inevitable. Both situations are heartbreaking reminders that even the best-laid plans can falter when circumstances are beyond our control.
Perhaps your 2024 brought its own setbacks or disappointments—a job loss, a mistake, unfair criticism, or someone blocking your achievements in ways you couldn’t prevent. For me, this year has been one of navigating challenges I couldn’t control: being treated unfairly, facing health struggles, and grieving the loss of a loved one. If your year didn’t go as planned and your confidence has taken a hit, then this post is for you.
Katrina Megget’s article in Issue 43 of Breathe magazine offers a thought-provoking look at common myths about confidence that could be holding you back, and the truths that can help you overcome them. I found her insights incredibly valuable, so I’ve paraphrased them here to share with you. I hope they inspire you as much as they did me.
Myth 1: Confidence comes from external circumstances and other people
The truth? Confidence is innate. It’s always there, no matter what’s happening around you. Even if it feels buried or absent in the moment, it’s still within you, waiting to re-emerge.
Myth 2: You need confidence to take action, achieve goals, and be successful.
Ambitions and goals are important, but you don’t need an overflowing sense of confidence to pursue them. Take one step at a time, even when your self-belief wavers. Progress isn’t tied to how confident you feel—it’s tied to your willingness to keep moving forward.
Myth 3: You need to work on "getting" more confidence
That’s just insecurity talking! You are already enough. Confidence doesn’t come from striving for perfection - it comes from embracing who you are, imperfections and all.
Myth 4: Confidence is fragile and can be lost or sabotaged
Confidence might feel distant at times, but it’s never gone. Keep challenging those insecure thoughts, and you’ll find your inner confidence waiting to be rediscovered.
Myth 5: Failure is the enemy
Setbacks aren’t the end. They’re opportunities to learn and grow. Each lesson learned can help quiet self-doubt and bring your innate confidence back into focus.
What I learned this year is that leadership isn’t always about persistence - it’s about resilience in the face of the uncontrollable. It’s about finding clarity, strength, and grace even when the situation is unfair or sabotaged. Sometimes, leadership means knowing when to pause, reflect, and recalibrate rather than pushing ahead.
As you head into the Christmas season, I encourage you to reflect on the moments when things didn’t go to plan this year, especially those that were out of your hands. How did you respond? What inner strengths did you discover in those moments? And how will you use those lessons to lead differently in 2025?
Thank you for being part of my Release Leadership community and for letting me share both the highs and the struggles. Your courage and commitment to growth inspire me.
If you're ready to start 2025 with clarity and focus, I’d love to help you or your team build the confidence and resilience to thrive. Reach out to book a session or chat about how we can work together in the new year.
Here’s to resilience, strength, and leading with heart in 2025.
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