From Overwhelmed to Unshakable: What Actually Works

You've probably heard this advice a hundred times: "You just need to be more confident" or even better “Fake it til you make it.”

But what does that actually mean? And how do you get there when you're facing a high‑stakes decision, a tricky client conversation, or a moment where everything feels uncertain?

You don't need to magically become "more confident." You need specific skills and tools that help you feel steady, even when things are messy or unclear.

I learned this the hard way as a young consultant. I was so eager to please that I said yes [enthusiastically!] to everything. Every project, every tight deadline, every "quick favor" that wasn't quick at all. I thought I was doing the right thing, but really, I was overpromising and under-delivering. The overwhelm was crushing, the stress was constant, and worst of all, I kept letting people down.

That's when I realized confidence isn't about saying yes to everything or pretending you can handle it all. It's about knowing what you can actually deliver and being honest about it, with yourself and others.

Here's how to build that steady foundation: