Ep 04 You Don’t Have to Wait to Be Confident

Ep 04 You Don’t Have to Wait to Be Confident

 

Picture This

You’re sitting in your car after another long 9-to-5, scrolling through Instagram, watching someone else launch the exact business idea you’ve been “someday-ing” for months.
Your heart sinks as you think, “I’m just not ready yet… maybe when I have more experience, more money, more time.”

But here’s the truth: confidence doesn’t come before action—it comes after.
That voice in your head saying “you’re not ready” isn’t proof that you should wait—it’s proof you already care enough to begin.

...and if you are on the go, you can listen to the full episode here.

Welcome to The Multipassionate Soul

Hey, I’m Crystal, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, creative entrepreneur, and multipassionate just like you. For over two decades, I’ve built businesses, shifted careers, and helped people find clarity, confidence, and stability in their creative lives.

In The Multipassionate Soul Podcast and here on the blog, we turn scattered into strategic—so you can weave your passions into a business and life that actually work for you.

The Real Problem: Waiting to “Feel Ready”

Here’s the thing about multipassionate creatives: we’re brilliant at seeing possibilities, but terrible at seeing our own capabilities.

We have five business ideas brewing, three half-finished creative projects, and a Pinterest board titled “Someday Dreams” longer than a CVS receipt.

The issue isn’t lack of skill—it’s waiting for the perfect moment when we’ll suddenly feel confident enough to start. But confidence doesn’t show up first. It’s built by doing the very things we think we’re not ready for.

What the 49ers Taught Me About Confidence

Recently, while watching my beloved 49ers, a reporter asked the offensive coach:

“With key players out, how confident are you that the team can still perform?”

I expected him to say something about improvement once everyone was back. Instead, he said:

“I’m confident now. I love how our guys are playing together. As long as we keep that mindset, we’ll continue to succeed.”

And that hit me.
He wasn’t waiting for “star players” to return. He believed in the team he already had.

So I’ll ask you—are you waiting for your own star players to show up?
More time, more money, more experience? Or could you look at what you already have—your creativity, resilience, and drive—and realize you’re already doing better than you think?

How My “Failure” Built My Confidence

About a decade ago, I entered a bikini fitness competition. I trained for three months, worked out six days a week, and pushed myself harder than ever.

When show day arrived, I was proud of my abs but disappointed in everything else. I walked away feeling embarrassed and told myself, “I’m just not cut out for this.”

But later, a different story began to emerge. I realized—I actually did it. I got on stage even though I felt afraid. I finished what I started.

That’s when I learned what psychologists call self-efficacy—the belief that “I can.”

  • If I commit, I can finish.
  • If I try, I can grow.
  • If I start, I can learn as I go.

That experience wasn’t a failure—it was proof.

What the Research Says

A study that followed 1,405 new business founders over 19 months found that those who had higher self-efficacy—belief in their ability to handle challenges—earned 8% more income and were more likely to grow sustainable businesses.

Your belief in yourself isn’t just a mindset—it’s a measurable advantage.
When you build the habit of saying “I can,” you’re literally increasing your odds of success.

The Therapy Behind Confidence

In therapy, one of the most powerful frameworks for building confidence is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

CBT helps you notice and reframe the thoughts that shape your emotions and behaviors.
When you think, “I’ll never figure this out,” you feel stuck—and then act like it. But when you shift to “I can figure this out step by step,” you open space for possibility.

Confidence doesn’t require perfection—it requires permission to keep trying.

Build Your Confidence Bank

When I work with clients, I often guide them through a practice called the Confidence Bank—a personal evidence vault that proves you’re capable, resilient, and resourceful.

Here’s how to start yours:

  1. Write down one thing you’ve accomplished. Anything counts.
  2. List three strengths or skills you proved through it.
  3. Revisit this list anytime your inner critic gets loud.

Small wins compound. Just like interest in a bank account, your confidence grows with every deposit of evidence.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to wait for the perfect moment, the perfect plan, or the perfect version of yourself to start.

Just like the 49ers didn’t wait for every star player to return, you can trust the team you already have—your persistence, your ideas, your creativity.

Confidence isn’t about doing more—it’s about remembering what you’ve already done.

So, what’s one thing you can do today to prove to yourself that you already have what it takes?

💭 Your Turn

Journal Prompt:

“When have I done something hard before—and what did that prove about me?”

Share your reflections with me in the comments or tag me on Instagram @CreateWithCrystal.

And if this blog resonated with you, listen to the full episode of The Multipassionate Soul Podcast for deeper reflections, practical tools, and a dose of encouragement to keep creating your version of success—one confident step at a time.

Sources:

Caliendo, M., Kritikos, A. S., Rodríguez, D., & Stier, C. (2023). Self-efficacy and entrepreneurial performance of start-ups. Small Business Economics, 61(3), 1027–1051. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-022-00728-0

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