If you are anything like me you may have felt like you need to feel confident before taking action. Trust me, if this aligns with you - so many of us wait for the moment when we finally “feel ready” before we put ourselves out there—whether it’s launching a business, showing up on social media, or making a big life decision.

But here’s the truth: confidence doesn’t come first—action does.

Confidence isn’t something you wake up with one day. It’s something you build, piece by piece, by showing up and proving to yourself that you can do hard things.

And the best part? You don’t need to take massive, overwhelming steps. The smallest, most intentional actions are what create lasting self-belief.

The Quiet Confidence-Action Loop Explained

The quiet confidence-action loop is simple:

1. You take action, even if it feels scary.
2. You gain experience and proof that you’re capable.
3. You start to believe in yourself more.
4. That belief makes it easier to take the next action.

Over time, this loop reinforces itself. The more you do, the more confident you become.

Why Confidence Is Built, Not Found

Let's make this make more sense (if needed).

Let's talk about learning how to drive. The first time you got behind the wheel, you probably weren’t confident at all, right? It was SCARY AF for me, to be honest. But after practicing, making mistakes, and gaining experience, and practicing over and over again, driving became second nature. That confidence wasn’t given to you—it was earned through action.

The same applies to everything else in life and business. No one feels confident before they start. They feel nervous, unsure, maybe even terrified. But they do it anyway, and that’s what makes the difference.

Small Steps That Build Confidence Daily

I want to share some practical and actionable steps you can take to start building your confidence. Be sure to save this blog post to reference anytime you are needing a boost. 

If you’ve been waiting to feel ready, try this instead:

1. Keep a “Proof of Confidence” List

Start tracking small moments where you took action and it worked out—whether it was showing up online, having a tough conversation, or trying something new. Seeing these wins on paper reminds you that you can do hard things.

2. Do One Tiny Thing That Scares You

It doesn’t have to be big. But it does have to push you out of your comfort zone. So may of my clients and friends struggle with actions THEY KNOW will move their business or lives forward...but don't. I challenge you to do what scares you...Post a video. Send the pitch. Speak up in a meeting. Each small step strengthens the action-confidence loop.

3. Reframe Fear as Growth

Instead of seeing fear as a stop sign, see it as proof that you’re expanding your comfort zone. If it feels uncomfortable, that’s a good sign—it means you’re growing.

4. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Confidence doesn’t come from being perfect; it comes from proving to yourself that you’re capable even when things aren’t perfect. Celebrate every step, no matter how small.

Now, I will admit this loop has been HARD for me. As someone who use to care deeply about what others *might* think of me, standing out in any crowd simply was not my style. That all changed when I desired MORE from my life and knew that the only way to get there was to be uncomfortable. I encourage you to at the very least, give this process a try!

Confidence Starts with Action

You don’t need to wait for confidence to find you. You just need to start—one small step at a time. And before you know it, you’ll look back and realize that you’ve built the kind of self-belief that nothing can shake.

What’s one small action you can take today to strengthen your confidence? Drop a comment or send me a DM on Instagram (@sheena_works)—I’d love to cheer you on!