CONFIDENCE TIPS FOR THE NEW YEAR

It’s no secret, a new year has a way of shining a spotlight on what we want more of and the resolution lists to achieve those things. Today, scrap the resolutions, and let’s look at building your confidence with intention and action.

As emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals, confidence is often the difference between staying comfortable and truly growing. 

Confidence is not about being the loudest voice in the room (which may shock some of you since I’m known to be loud, LOL) and it’s not about having everything figured out. Instead it’s about trusting yourself enough to take the next step, even when things feel uncertain. 

Three practical ways to strengthen your confidence this year.

1) Start with clarity, not pressure

Confidence grows when you are clear on where you’re going. Pressure grows when you feel like you have to do everything at once. My suggestion, ask yourself:

• What do I want more of this year?
• What do I want less of? 
• What does success actually look like for ME right now?

The formula is simple. Clarity creates focus. Focus builds confidence.

2) Keep promises to yourself

Are you someone who keeps your word? That’s an admirable quality, but often we find that we do what we say we’re going to do for OTHERS and forget about ourselves. That’s why in 2026, one of the fastest ways to build confidence is to do what you say you are going to do for YOU.

This may seem scary. There’s only so much time to go around. So what happens is we tend to drop our needs to the bottom of the list… behind the boss, the client, the kids, the spouse, the Amazon driver (okay, maybe kidding on the last one but seriously why do we allow our own needs to be the last priority?) You don’t have to prioritize your needs in spite of all the others; you can start small. A few suggestions to do this:

• Block time for one priority each week – literally put this in your calendar. 
• Finish something you’ve already started. This could be just the boost you need to keep going. 
• Follow through on one decision you have been putting off.

Every time you follow through, you reinforce trust in yourself. Confidence is built through action, not intention alone.

3) Put yourself in rooms that elevate you

Growth rarely happens by doing the same thing you’ve always done. Confidence often shows up when you challenge yourself. I recommend finding places and people who inspire you to be your bold self. This year don’t let it happen by chance, be intentional and…

• Attend events where you can learn and connect from those you admire. 
• Seek out conversations with people who challenge your thinking.
• Say yes to opportunities that feel slightly uncomfortable. 

Remember, if you want to level up, you have to be willing to show up.

Don’t wait for another calendar flip

Confidence is not something you either have or do not have. It’s something you build, moment by moment, choice by choice. Don’t wait any longer, get started building your confidence today! Use this new year to give yourself permission to take up space, to be seen, and to trust that you are capable of more than you realize.

I often share with my POP!more and Chikmedia clients that confidence fuels possibility. And possibility is where growth begins. Here is to showing up fully this year!!!

- Jill Monson, Founder of POP!more and Associate Director of Marketing at Chikmedia