Confidence—The Art of Believing in Yourself

Here are some practical tips to build your confidence.

Before we dive into these strategies, let me share a personal story.

At the age of 15, I moved to Israel to live with my grandmother, who had recently lost my beloved grandfather. While I was fluent in Hebrew as a non-native speaker, I struggled to grasp math in Hebrew, which was never my strong suit. Rather than seeking help, I decided to volunteer at a hospital instead of attending math classes.

For two and a half years, I avoided math. When senior year approached, my peers were busy preparing for math exams. My knowledge was limited to basic arithmetic. I was informed that without passing the math exam, I wouldn't receive my high school diploma, despite excelling in all other subjects.

Although I had been homeschooled for most of my life and was reasonably disciplined, I found myself a 17-year-old without a diploma. I moved forward with my plans for higher religious studies and travel, thinking little of the diploma I had neglected.

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Years later, while applying for a preschool teaching position in luxurious Marbella, Spain, the director asked me to read a concise book on child psychology and meet with a psychologist to discuss it. After a few questions, she remarked, “You seem to have a knack for this. Why don’t you consider going to university?”

Her words left me blushing, and I thought, “Perhaps…”

That comment planted a seed in my mind—a reminder of the power words can have!

As time passed, I got married and had two children. At nearly 29, the thought of pursuing a university degree crossed my mind. Little did I know the journey would take almost nine years! Thankfully, I found a university that welcomed unconventional students like me, but the path was challenging.

I had to take a preparatory class taught by a professor with eight years of military experience. This class was akin to a mental boot camp, and passing it was necessary to continue my studies. I quickly realized how unprepared I was for my goal. Having never written an English essay, my first submission received a critique that said, “This was a poor attempt at writing an essay.”

Initially, I felt defeated. However, I quickly laughed it off, realizing I had low expectations of myself. I thought, “I’ll do better next time,” and indeed, anything would be an improvement over that initial effort.

In the end, I passed that class, earning the credits needed to compensate for my lack of a high school diploma. Balancing life as a mother, employee, and student was chaotic. I would dash from work to class, passing students sipping coffee leisurely. After classes, I raced to pick up my kids from school.

As years progressed, the journey became more complicated, filled with unexpected challenges. I had another child, navigated the demands of breastfeeding, working, and studying, and my grades plummeted, putting me on conditional standing.

Where was my confidence during these trials? There were moments of doubt. Yet, I continued to move forward, ticking off one course at a time and celebrating each completed assignment.

During this time, I had my fourth child and went through a divorce. I learned the importance of taking a break when necessary—it's not about giving up but about understanding your needs and reprioritizing. Sometimes, that meant just surviving the year.

At last, I graduated.

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Every small step I took gradually built my confidence. When I faced setbacks, I allowed myself to feel the disappointment, wiped my tears, and moved on. Had I waited for the perfect moment of self-confidence to act, I would likely still be waiting.

If you ask me, “Do you feel confident about pursuing a Master’s degree?” I would reply with a resounding yes! I achieved it once, and I know I can do it again, despite the challenges that lie ahead.

No matter your aspirations, take that first step. Keep moving forward, one step at a time, regardless of how long the journey may be.

One day, you will reach your destination.

The Takeaway: Never hesitate to ask for help. Secure that high school diploma; you never know when it will prove valuable. Keep pushing forward—it's never too late. Act now.

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