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How to handle it — when your confidence is shot

Moves for the moments self-doubt takes the wheel.

A rejection — job, date, knock-back — has flattened you.

Right now

  • One no isn't a verdict on you. It's one outcome, one day.
  • Don't globalise it — 'this didn't work' is true; 'I'm useless' is the doubt talking.
  • Do one thing you're good at today to remind yourself you're not a write-off.

Don't

  • Don't drink on the knock-back — it turns a setback into a spiral.

Later

  • Confidence is built by doing hard things, not by waiting to feel ready.

More on this → Confidence & self-esteem

Confidence: the short version

  1. 1.One no isn't a verdict. Don't globalise it.
  2. 2.Get off the feed — that's a highlight reel.
  3. 3.Confidence comes after doing, not before.
  4. 4.Compare to you a year ago, no one else.
  5. 5.Imposter feeling isn't proof you're a fraud.
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