Balancing Confidence in Creative Projects

Outlier brains don’t just feel stuck. We feel broken when we lose momentum. You were built to chase audacious goals. But when the product fails, the co-founder bails, or the pitch bombs… That forward motion you rely on? Gone. And without it, your self-trust erodes fast. In these moments, most founders do one of two things: → Frantically chase the next big thing, hoping it’ll fix the void → Overthink everything and get stuck in analysis paralysis loops I’ve seen both. I’ve done both. But the path out isn’t about willpower. It’s about resetting the system. When I was a gymnast, there was a protocol for recovering from a crash or big mistake. You don’t jump straight back into full-twist double layouts. You go back to basics. Foam pit. Crash mat. Back tuck. Execute what you know how to deal with your eyes closed. In a low risk environment. Then—slowly—build back up. Founders need the same progression: → Start with the next hour. One small thing. Send the email. Outline the deck. → Then plan tomorrow. Three doable tasks. Keep it concrete. → Next week: a micro-project. Something meaningful, not massive. You’re not rebuilding your company. You’re rebuilding belief. Proving to your nervous system that you can still execute. This is how confidence is re-grown—quietly, deliberately. Momentum isn't a mindset. It’s a muscle. Train it like one. What’s your version of the “foam pit” when you’re stuck?

Like many of you, I've always struggled with being a perfectionist. This can be paralyzing to creative work. You want to create your best work, write that hit song and take your place in the parthenon of creative greats. So your natural inclination is to put loads of pressure on the process hoping to turn coal into diamonds. Unfortunately, this is rarely the result. There's a simple perspective switch that has helped me overcome this. Quantity over quality. This may seem counter intuitive, but I'll show you the many reasons this is crucial for getting to your best creative work. In the book, Art & Fear by David Bayles & Ted Orlen, they shared a story that changed the game for me. A teacher splits her pottery class into two groups. The first would be given the assignment to create the best ceramic bowl they could, while the second group was told to create 30 bowls in the time allotted. -The first group agonized over making the best bowl possible within their ability. -The second group focused on volume not worrying about how great their pottery would turn out. Here's where it gets interesting. The first group did pretty well, making the best bowl they could within their ability. But the second group created multiple bowls that were far superior in craftsmanship compared to the first group. By focusing on quantity over quality, the second group had gained the skills to create a much better bowl. You can apply this to your own skill building and creative work, by: -Lowering expectations -Focusing on repetition -Eliminate perfectionism Lower Expectations Life is hard enough without making it harder on yourself. Focus on playing and having fun when learning a new skill or taking on a new creative challenge. You'll be amazed at what happens when you take the pressure off. Repetition The fastest way I've found to build confidence is through repetition. By taking small actions over and over towards your goal you're showing your brain that's it's possible. No One's Perfect Now don't get me wrong, there's a time to try to make your art as perfect as possible. But at the beginning stages, it's about allowing the creative juices to flow and getting the initial ideas on the page. Make as much as possible with no expectations, judgement, or comparisons. I've fallen into this trap many times. The fear of not being perfect lead me down a path of not creating at all. What's the point in producing if it's not as good as The Neptunes? By lowering expectations and focusing on play I've been able to breakthrough with some of my best work. So if you're dealing with this same daily struggle and trying to get over the hump with your creative work, try taking a month off of any of your output goals and just create for fun everyday. You may just find your magnum opus.

People often ask if I ever feel imposter syndrome when I’m giving a big talk or chairing important board meetings. The honest answer? I don’t - anymore. That’s not because I’m naturally confident. It’s because I’ve practised, a lot. I regularly do things that push me beyond my comfort zone. But the reason I feel calm in those moments is simple: I’ve put in the reps. Here’s what’s helped me and what I share with others who want to feel more confident in high pressure situations: 1️⃣ Practise more than feels reasonable. Confidence isn’t a personality trait, it’s a byproduct of repetition.  Whether it’s rehearsing in front of a mirror, saying your opening line ten times, or recording yourself until it feels natural, every rep chips away at self-doubt. 2️⃣ Prepare for the “what ifs.” Think through the tough questions, the unexpected moments, the awkward silences.  When you’ve already faced these things in your head, they lose their power to throw you off when they happen in real life. 3️⃣ Focus on value, not perfection. You don’t have to be flawless, you just have to be useful.  Shift your mindset from “Do I belong here?” to “How can I help this audience?” 4️⃣ Anchor yourself in evidence. When doubt creeps in, look at what you’ve already done. The wins, the projects, the people who trust you. Facts are the best antidote to fear. 5️⃣ Keep saying yes. Confidence compounds.  Every time you do something that scares you and survive it, you expand your comfort zone. You don’t overcome imposter syndrome by waiting to feel ready. You overcome it by doing, over and over again, until readiness becomes your new normal.

Seven years ago, I left the corporate world to start my own business, clueless about running it. Despite starting over three times, I've never regretted it. Because confidence isn't having it all mapped out. It's knowing you can navigate as you go. Carol Dweck's research shows top performers trust their ability to learn,  not just what they know.  And Amy Edmondson found that successful teams embrace uncertainty and take action, which builds confidence. Here are four ways to build genuine confidence: 1️⃣ Create learning moments ↳   Turn every setback into data points ↳   Ask: "What did this teach me?" 2️⃣ Scale your challenges ↳   Start with 1% braver actions ↳   Build momentum through small wins 3️⃣ Share your process, not just results ↳   Talk about your current learning to others ↳   Become familiar with figuring things out. 4️⃣ Build a support system ↳   Surround yourself with growth-minded people ↳   Learn from others who embrace uncertainty 🚩 Remember: Every expert started as a beginner. Every solution began as a question. ➡️ You already know how to do this. (This post is just a reminder.) ❓What have you tried already to build confidence? Share below! 👉 Follow Maria for visuals that teach and insights on psychological safety. 👉 Join the newsletter for weekly creative thinking tips: https://lnkd.in/eirrd8xT 👉 Liked this post? Share it with others.