Don’t Fake It: 3 Steps to Real Confidence in 2 mins 🧠💡

“Just fake it till you make it.”

That’s the advice we’ve all heard when it comes to confidence. And let’s be real — it might work for a moment. You put on the mask 😅, you smile, you push through. But inside? The doubts don’t always go away. If anything, sometimes they get louder.  

Here’s the truth most people don’t realise: Confidence isn’t about being extroverted, bold, or pretending you’ve got it all figured out. It’s not even a personality trait. Neuroscience shows us that confidence is a trainable brain skill — one you can strengthen just like a muscle 🏋️ - whilst still being authentically YOU. 

That’s why I want to share 3 neuroscience-backed steps you can start using today to stop faking confidence and finally build the real thing. 🚀

🌍 Why This Conversation Matters Today

We need to talk about this now more than ever.

Today’s generation is facing a confidence crisis 🚨. Social media constantly compares our behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel (remember the quote "comparison is the thief of all joy?).  Workplaces are faster-paced, higher-pressure; we have uncertainty from global events 🌐 and the rise of AI 🤖 threatening traditional jobs — it’s no surprise that self-doubt is skyrocketing!

Confidence isn’t just “nice to have” anymore — it’s essential for resilience 💡, creativity 🎨, and even mental health ❤️‍🩹.  It’s time to reframe confidence not as fluff, but as neuroscience in action. 🧬

👩‍💼 My Story: From Corporate Doubt to Brain-Powered Confidence

I know this because I lived it.

In my corporate days, I sat in boardrooms 💼 with brilliant people, second-guessing myself. I’d rehearse my ideas in my head over and over, and sometimes I wouldn’t share them at all. My fear wasn’t that I didn’t have answers — it was that my voice might not belong at the table.

The worst part? On the outside, I probably looked “fine.” Smiling 😊, nodding, keeping up. But inside, I was often battling a loop of doubt 😔.

That’s when I started digging into neuroscience 🔍 — and discovered that what I thought was a “me problem” was actually a brain wiring problem.

🧠 The 3 Neuroscience-Backed Steps to Build Real Confidence

1️⃣ Rewire Your Brain’s Story

Every time you think, “I’m not good enough,” your brain strengthens pathways of fear and hesitation 🤔.
👉 Instead, catch the thought and reframe it: “I am learning, growing, and capable.”
Neuroplasticity means your brain will actually build new, stronger pathways of trust and resilience.

2️⃣ Take Small but Bold Actions

Confidence doesn’t come from waiting until you “feel ready.” It comes from taking action 🚀 — even when you’re nervous.
Start small: speak up in a meeting, share your idea, or post something authentic online. Each small risk 🎯 teaches your brain that you can survive and succeed — and this builds confidence over time.

3️⃣ Celebrate Wins (Even Tiny Ones 🎉)

Most people skip this step — but it’s crucial. When you acknowledge progress (finishing a task, speaking up once, trying something new), your brain releases dopamine 💡 — the pursuit molecule.
That chemical boost reinforces confidence pathways and makes you more likely to repeat confident behaviours.  I celebrate every Monday morning about what I've done the week before - it works a treat!

⚡ Why Faking It Isn’t Enough

Here’s the problem with “fake it till you make it”: when you fake it, you’re still feeding your brain the story that you’re not enough. You’re just covering it with a mask 🎭.

True confidence isn’t about pretending. It’s about teaching your brain to believe you belong, that you can handle challenges, and that your voice matters. 🗣️🌟

That’s not wishful thinking. That’s neuroplasticity at work 🔬✨.

🚀 Here’s My Challenge for You

Today, instead of asking: “Am I confident enough?” ❓
Ask: “What story is my brain rehearsing — and how can I rewrite it?” 📝🧠

Confidence is not a gift some people were born with. It’s a brain skill that anyone — yes, even you — can learn, strengthen, and embody.

And if someone like me, once stuck in corporate self-doubt, can rewire my brain to build unshakable confidence, then so can you. 💯

📚 References

• Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control . W.H. Freeman.

• Mobbs, D., Hagan, C. C., Dalgleish, T., Silston, B., & Prévost, C. (2015). The ecology of human fear: Survival optimization and the nervous system . Frontiers in Neuroscience, 9, 55.

• Tang, Y.-Y., Hölzel, B. K., & Posner, M. I. (2015). The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation . Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 16(4), 213–225.

• Young, K. S., et al. (2021). Social media use and its link to mental health: A review . Current Opinion in Psychology, 39, 58–65.

🤝 Let’s stay connected!

• 💼 LinkedIn: Caroline Brewin 

• 📘 Facebook: Brain Powered Coaching 

• 📸 Instagram: @brainpoweredcoaching 

• 🎵 TikTok: @brainpoweredcoaching

✨ Want to know more about how to be confident?
Why not try out our Brain Powered Confidence course? Click here for more details 👇