The real reason your confidence disappears (it's not what you think)

We've all had those mornings where the alarm sounds like a personal attack.

Your body feels heavy. Your brain is foggy. And that presentation you were excited about yesterday? Now you're wondering if your ideas are even worth sharing.

The worst part? You can't pinpoint why you suddenly feel like this.

Then there are those other days. The ones where you bounce out of bed. Where your mind feels sharp, your thoughts flow easily, and you find yourself speaking up in meetings without second-guessing every word.

Same you. Different days. Different confidence levels. I've been thinking about this question a lot lately. Wondering why my confidence fluctuates so much. And I think I've figured something out.

It's energy. That's the key.
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#1: Physical energy is essential

I used to think I was different. That I could function perfectly on little sleep and lots of caffeine.

I was wrong.

When my physical energy is low:

• My thinking gets foggy
• Decisions become much harder
• My confidence disappears

But when I'm rested? I perform so much better. The difference is remarkable.

I once delivered a presentation after a good night's sleep that I know would have gone poorly if I'd been tired. Same me. Different energy level.
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#2: Mental energy affects your decisions

Have you noticed how you question everything when you're mentally tired?

"Should I speak up in this meeting?"
"Is my idea any good?"
"Do I know enough about this topic?"

That doubtful voice gets louder when your mental energy is low.

I've sat in meetings with good ideas but kept quiet because I was too mentally drained to push through the self-doubt. Then watched someone else share the same thought and get praised for it.

Mental fatigue doesn't just feel bad — it holds you back.
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#3: Emotional energy connects you to others

Here's something I've observed: people respond to your energy.

When my emotional energy is low, I don't connect well with others. The conversations feel flat.

But when I'm emotionally energised? People engage more. They listen. They respond positively.

I once walked into an important meeting after receiving some wonderful personal news. My energy was noticeably different that day... and the results exceeded all expectations.

There's definitely a connection.
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3 simple steps to boost your energy

1. Prioritise your sleep
   I now treat my bedtime as one of my most important commitments. It makes such a difference.
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2. Find what recharges you
   For me, it's playing the flute. Those moments bring me back to centre. What works for you?
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3. Check in with yourself regularly
   I have reminders throughout my day to assess my energy. When it's low, I take a break instead of pushing through.
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I spent years thinking confidence was something you either had or didn't have.

I've learnt it's not that simple.

Confidence is closely tied to how you manage your energy. And that's something you can influence.

So... how's your energy today?