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The Path To Confidence: Creating Your Way to Growth

The longer you stay committed, the more confidence you gain.

Confidence in the work you create is like a muscle that develops through practice and continually stepping up.

For many people, the journey often begins with uncertainty, self-doubt, and, at times, outright fear. With each piece of work you create or venture you start and progress in, confidence grows.

In a recent conversation with Ann Handley in YATM Club, Ann said something that inspired me to write this article:

“You don’t wait for confidence to create; you create to build confidence.”

This statement resonated with me. I’d like to explore it further with you.

Confidence Is Earned Through Repetition

When I started YATM, I wasn’t overflowing with confidence. In fact, every newsletter was a leap into the unknown. 

When you don’t have a guidebook and you’re reliant on your own persistence, you don’t know if you’ll run out of steam and give up.

I doubted whether anyone would read it, let alone find it valuable. However, the process of showing up, I felt a little stronger in myself, in terms of self belief.

A lot of the time, we lean into outputs, goals, and results. It’s always about the audience; it’s never about us (the people producing the work).

We need an audience to understand our perspective, but it’s equally important to have confidence in what we share. Over time, our focus shifts from worrying about others’ opinions to fully embracing the process. Confidence becomes a byproduct of action. What happens is people are more likely to feel motivated to step up.

Ann’s approach fits. You create so you can prove to yourself that you can do it. Ann’s newsletter began in 2018, and our conversation leaned into the idea that the work we produce helps shape who we are.

As Ann said:

“It’s not about creating something perfect; it’s about creating something authentic. Perfection is overrated. Progress is what builds confidence.”

Consider this, if you’re learning to play the guitar, you’re not expected to play an AC/DC intro on the first day. You start with awkward movements and out of tune. It’s the same with creativity and confidence. Your early attempts may seem rough, but each iteration sharpens your skills and strengthens your belief in your abilities and what you can share.

From reading music producer, Rick Rubin’s, The Creative Act, he reinforces this idea in his reflections on creativity: “If you’re open to the mysteries of creativity, you’re more likely to discover something profound.” Confidence, in his view, arises from participating in the creative process without being constrained by the fear of outcomes. His work with legendary artists shows how creating with an open mind nurtures both innovation and self-belief.

There Is Something Always Holding Us Back

Whilst it feels good finding momentum with our efforts, it begins from a shaky space. 

Looking back, I realise that I have learned that confidence is built through taking action and trying new things. Having a weekly email and showing up in front of people regularly, through live events, has helped me become more self-assured.  

There are always hurdles to clear when you’re going from acknowledging how tough it is to start something new, to feeling at ease.


1) Lack Of Experience 

When you have limited experience for how a medium works, from presenting to writing, it can present a huge wall to climb. A lack of familiarity, can hold you back from progressing. Or even worse, give up too soon.

2) Fear Of Disapproval  

One of the biggest things that used to hold me back was, ‘what will others think?’ You have to learn to see people, such as those who unsubscribe or dismiss you on LinkedIn as just what they are – people who were never really ‘your people.’ You don’t need everyone on your side. 

3) Fear Of Failure 

It is far easier to stick with the way you have always done things than it is to try something new. Without taking the plunge and exploring something new, you’ll never know what’s possible and what you might be able to achieve. 


The biggest return I found from persistence and finding time as a friend, is that I started to meet amazing people. As more of the right people subscribed, the more confident I became.

What happened was I started to get to know other people better. This is why I still enjoy producing the weekly YATM newsletter. The act of sharing not only builds confidence but also fosters connections that reinforce your belief in your abilities. 

As Ann pointed out in our discussion, “When you focus on the process rather than the outcome, you free yourself to enjoy the act of creating. Confidence follows when you’re present in the work, not fixated on the result.”

The Community Effect: Confidence Through Connection

When you find a space with other people it helps build confidence.

Being surrounded by supportive, challenging, and encouraging people makes it easier to take risks and grow. This is why YATM is more than just a platform for sharing ideas; it is a safe space where people can experiment, tinker, refine their ideas, and ultimately achieve success.

In Ann Handley’s words, “Creating isn’t a solo endeavour. The people around you—your community—can reflect back the confidence you don’t yet see in yourself.”

Sharing our work with others allows us to receive valuable feedback and different perspectives. More importantly, it helps us realise that we are not alone in our challenges. Connecting with others reinforces our belief in ourselves and our ability to make a positive impact.

You start to create a feedback loop where others around you can share and be open with each other. This helps to amplify confidence not just in you, but others around you.

I’ve observed members of the YATM community who began with shy blog posts or uncertain video attempts evolve into confident creators and leaders in their respective fields. This transformation didn’t happen overnight; it was the result of consistently showing up and sharing their work that catalysed their growth.

Confidence Is Not About Perfection

One of the biggest myths about confidence is that it comes from getting things “right.” 

In reality, confidence often comes from embracing imperfection and being willing to start in a messy place. 

As Ann Handley shared in our interview, “The willingness to show your work, even when it’s imperfect, is a courageous act. That courage builds resilience, and resilience builds confidence.”

If you chase perfection, it only leads to frustration and burnout. Confidence, on the other hand, comes from celebrating progress, not perfection. It’s about recognising how far you’ve come, even if you’re not where you want to be yet.

This mindset shift is crucial for creators. I know that when I started the YATM newsletter, it was generic marketing advice. It was only by feedback, adding new ideas, then another layer by bringing others into the creation process, that things started to change. 

Over time, I know that the act of creating itself is more valuable than the outcome. The outcome becomes better, with time.

The Long Game of Confidence

The confidence you build by showing up can spill over into other areas of your life.

Building better connections enhances your creativity. When you feel confident, you are more willing to explore whether an idea will succeed. Every small step adds up over time. (I should know; this all started back in 2013, so you could say I’ve taken very small steps!).

It’s not just about writing newsletters or organising events; it’s about developing a mindset that embraces growth, challenges, and change.

Let’s Round-Up

This is the message I want to share: confidence isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you create. Start small, but start.

It’s not something you gain instantly; rather, it’s a return from your hard work and deliberate effort. As Ann Handley shared, “Creating transforms you. Each piece of work you put into the world is a brick in the foundation of your confidence.”

So, if you’re waiting for confidence to strike before you begin, don’t. Start where you are, with what you have, and trust that the process will guide you. Create more, and in doing so, you’ll become more, more skilled, more resilient, and a deeper connection to your work and yourself. 

Let’s learn and create together!

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