Confidence is the foundation for unlocking your full potential. When you're certain about who you are and what you want to achieve, you tap into your true power. The Success Guidebook highlights that true success starts with owning your authenticity—being sure about who you are and fully embracing your unique strengths, passions, and purpose. By owning your path and building unwavering self-confidence, you’ll set yourself up for achieving your dreams.
Here are 20 transformative ways to cultivate unshakable self-confidence and own your journey.
1. Define Success on Your Own Terms
True confidence starts with defining success for yourself. Whether it means personal growth, professional achievement, or emotional fulfillment, your vision of success is unique to you. When you measure success by your own standards, rather than society’s expectations, you’ll feel more certain about your ability to achieve it.
In The Success Guidebook, one of the key takeaways is that success isn't one-size-fits-all. To truly own your path, you need to define what success looks like for you. Whether it’s personal growth, career achievements, or emotional well-being, defining success by your standards helps you stay grounded in your own vision. When you're clear about what success means to you, you’ll feel more confident in pursuing your goals.
2. Embrace Change as Growth
Change is inevitable, but instead of fearing it, embrace it as a pathway to growth. Every shift—whether planned or unexpected—provides an opportunity to evolve into a more confident, resilient version of yourself. Owning your journey means accepting that transformation is part of becoming your best self.
Change can be daunting, but it's also a natural part of evolving into the best version of yourself. The Success Guidebook encourages us to view change as an opportunity for growth rather than something to fear. Every transition, challenge, or new experience brings with it the chance to learn, adapt, and build confidence. By embracing change, you step closer to your authentic self and grow stronger in your pursuit of success.
3. Persevere with the Power of Small Wins
Confidence doesn’t come from one big success; it’s built through small, consistent victories. By celebrating even the smallest achievements, you prove to yourself that you are capable of success. These small wins create momentum, strengthening your belief in yourself and your ability to accomplish even bigger goals.
Confidence isn't built overnight—it grows through the accumulation of small victories. In The Success Guidebook, the power of momentum is emphasized. By celebrating your small wins along the way, you create positive reinforcement for yourself. These little successes act as building blocks toward achieving your larger goals, and each one strengthens your belief in your abilities.
4. Engage in Self-Compassion
Owning your authenticity means accepting yourself fully—including your flaws. Confidence doesn’t mean you never fail; it means you forgive yourself when you stumble and keep moving forward with kindness. Self-compassion helps you build resilience and confidence. Be gentle with yourself during times of growth, and remember that mistakes are part of the journey.
Confidence and self-compassion go hand in hand. One lesson from The Success Guidebook is that setbacks are inevitable, but how you handle them matters. Self-compassion means forgiving yourself when things don’t go as planned and continuing forward with kindness. When you treat yourself with compassion, you're more resilient and confident in your ability to overcome obstacles.
5. Visualize Your Success
Visualization is a powerful tool for building confidence. Spend time each day picturing yourself achieving your goals. Whether it’s reaching a milestone in your career, achieving personal growth, or making a difference in the world, seeing your success in your mind helps make it a reality. This practice primes you to step into your dreams with greater certainty.
Visualization is a powerful practice that primes your brain for success. The Success Guidebook emphasizes the importance of seeing yourself as already successful—whether it's achieving your dream career, reaching a personal milestone, or overcoming a challenge. By consistently visualizing yourself succeeding, you train your mind to believe it's possible, which in turn boosts your confidence and motivation.
6. Take Aligned, Purposeful Risks
Confidence isn’t about avoiding risks—it’s about taking smart, intentional risks that align with your values and dreams. Stepping outside your comfort zone is often necessary to accomplish what you dream of doing. By taking risks that are true to who you are, you build the self-assurance that you’re following your path, even when it feels uncertain.
Success often requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Confidence doesn't come from playing it safe; it comes from taking aligned, purposeful risks that bring you closer to your goals. As discussed in The Success Guidebook, the most successful people are those who aren’t afraid to take calculated risks. Each risk you take, as long as it aligns with your purpose, strengthens your belief in your ability to achieve your dreams.
7. Create a Supportive Environment
The right environment is essential for cultivating confidence. Surround yourself with people who encourage and believe in you. A strong support system empowers you to take risks and pursue your dreams with greater certainty. When you have people cheering you on, you’ll feel more confident in your ability to overcome challenges.
Surrounding yourself with a network of positive, supportive people is crucial to building confidence. The Success Guidebook highlights the importance of community—when you're surrounded by people who believe in you, uplift you, and encourage you, you're more likely to step into your own greatness. A strong support system gives you the confidence to take risks and pursue your dreams.
8. Commit to Lifelong Learning
Owning your authenticity means recognizing that growth is a lifelong process. Confidence comes from knowing that, no matter where you are, you can always learn and improve. Embrace new experiences, skills, and knowledge as opportunities to strengthen your self-confidence and continuously evolve.
In today’s fast-paced world, one of the keys to success is continuous learning. The Success Guidebook stresses that confidence comes from knowing you are always capable of growth and improvement. By staying curious and open to new knowledge, you empower yourself to adapt, evolve, and remain confident in your ability to navigate change.
9. Celebrate Your Progress
Confidence grows when you take time to acknowledge how far you’ve come. Celebrate each step forward, no matter how small it may seem. Recognizing your progress boosts your belief in yourself and your ability to succeed. By celebrating your journey, you reinforce the certainty that you can accomplish your dreams.
Take time to reflect on and celebrate how far you've come. A major theme in The Success Guidebook is that acknowledging and appreciating your progress builds a sense of accomplishment. Every milestone, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. Doing so reinforces your belief in your ability to succeed and propels you forward with renewed confidence.
10. Stay True to Your Purpose
Confidence comes from being aligned with your purpose. When you know why you're pursuing your dreams, it gives you the strength and clarity to keep moving forward, even when challenges arise. Staying true to your purpose grounds you in moments of doubt, allowing you to pursue your dreams with unwavering confidence.
When you're aligned with your purpose, confidence comes naturally. The Success Guidebook teaches that knowing your "why" gives you the clarity and strength to persevere, even when the path gets tough. Your purpose serves as your guiding light, grounding you in moments of uncertainty and reminding you of the bigger picture. When you're connected to your deeper purpose, you pursue your goals with unwavering confidence.
11. Set Clear, Achievable Goals
Confidence flourishes when you set clear and achievable goals. Break down your larger dreams into smaller, manageable steps. When you achieve these smaller goals, it reinforces your sense of accomplishment and propels you forward toward your larger aspirations. Clear goals give you direction and a reason to celebrate each success.
One of the principles of The Success Guidebook is setting specific, measurable goals that align with your vision of success. Break your dreams down into smaller, actionable steps, and you’ll build confidence as you check them off. Achieving each goal not only brings you closer to your bigger dreams but also reinforces your sense of capability.
12. Practice Positive Self-Talk
The way you talk to yourself shapes your confidence. Replace negative self-talk with empowering, positive affirmations. Remind yourself daily of your strengths, capabilities, and past achievements. This mindset shift boosts your self-confidence, allowing you to face challenges with a positive, assured attitude.
Your internal dialogue shapes how you see yourself. By replacing negative self-talk with positive affirmations, you can shift your mindset and build unshakable confidence. The Success Guidebook suggests regularly reminding yourself of your strengths and past accomplishments to help boost self-belief. When you speak kindly to yourself, it becomes easier to trust in your abilities.
13. Focus on What You Can Control
Confidence grows when you focus on what you can control, rather than worrying about things beyond your influence. Direct your energy toward areas where you can make a difference and let go of external factors you cannot change. This helps you feel more empowered and in charge of your journey.
The Success Guidebook emphasizes the importance of focusing on the things within your control. When you channel your energy into what you can influence—your effort, attitude, and actions—you feel more empowered and confident. Let go of what’s outside your control, and concentrate on what you can do to move forward.
14. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Real growth happens when you step outside of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself to try new things, take risks, and embrace uncertainty. Each time you push your boundaries, you prove to yourself that you’re capable of more than you imagined, which builds lasting confidence.
Real confidence comes from challenging yourself to grow. In The Success Guidebook, one key lesson is that stepping outside of your comfort zone helps you expand your capabilities. Each time you face a new challenge, you gain experience and confidence in your ability to handle whatever comes your way.
15. Develop a Strong Work Ethic
Confidence is often a product of preparation and hard work. The more effort you put into refining your skills and knowledge, the more assured you’ll feel in your ability to succeed. A strong work ethic instills a sense of pride and accomplishment, reinforcing your belief in yourself.
Hard work builds self-confidence. The Success Guidebook underscores that consistent effort and perseverance are essential to success. The more you practice and refine your skills, the more certain you’ll feel about your ability to succeed. A strong work ethic instills pride, competence, and belief in yourself.
16. Let Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism can hold you back from taking action and achieving your dreams. Accept that no one is perfect, and mistakes are part of the learning process. Letting go of the need to be perfect allows you to focus on progress, rather than worrying about unrealistic standards, which builds confidence over time.
Perfectionism is often a roadblock to confidence. The Success Guidebook teaches that striving for progress, not perfection, is the key to long-term success. By accepting that mistakes are a natural part of growth, you free yourself from the pressure of being perfect and instead focus on steady improvement, which leads to lasting confidence.
17. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude shifts your focus from what you lack to what you have achieved. Regularly reflecting on your accomplishments and the positive aspects of your life can boost your confidence. Gratitude fosters a mindset of abundance and reinforces your belief in your own abilities.
Gratitude shifts your focus from what you lack to what you already have. The Success Guidebook encourages regular gratitude practices as a way to build confidence. By reflecting on your accomplishments and the positives in your life, you foster a mindset of abundance, which helps boost self-assurance. Practice the Gratitude Flip, where you shift your mindset from "I have to" to "I get to".
18. Prioritize Self-Care
Taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being is crucial for confidence. When you prioritize self-care—through exercise, healthy eating, rest, and relaxation—you’re better equipped to handle challenges and pursue your dreams with strength and clarity.
Confidence is rooted in self-care. When you take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health, you're better equipped to handle challenges and pursue your dreams with clarity and strength. The Success Guidebook emphasizes the importance of prioritizing your well-being as part of the foundation for a confident and successful life.
19. Be Open to Feedback
Confidence doesn’t mean rejecting feedback—it means being open to constructive criticism and using it to grow. Seek out advice from trusted mentors or peers, and use their insights to improve. Being receptive to feedback shows that you are committed to becoming your best self, which strengthens your confidence.
Confidence doesn't mean rejecting feedback—it means using it to grow. The Success Guidebook highlights that seeking advice from trusted mentors or peers can help you improve and gain valuable insights. Being open to constructive feedback shows you're committed to growth, which in turn strengthens your self-confidence.
20. Own Your Journey
Ultimately, confidence comes from owning your journey. Embrace both your strengths and your areas for improvement. Take pride in your unique path, and trust that everything you’ve experienced has prepared you for success. By fully owning who you are and where you’re headed, you’ll cultivate the self-confidence needed to accomplish your dreams.
Ultimately, success is about owning your journey—embracing both your strengths and your areas for improvement. The Success Guidebook emphasizes that every step, whether a success or a challenge, is part of your unique path. Take pride in where you’ve been and where you’re headed. By fully owning your journey, you’ll cultivate the confidence you need to achieve your dreams.
Trust the Process, Own Your Journey
Owning who you are and pursuing what you dream of doing is a journey of growth, change, and self-compassion. By integrating these 20 principles, you’ll develop the confidence to step into your authentic self and achieve your goals. With the wisdom of The Success Guidebook and your own inner strength, you have everything you need to create the success you envision.
You already possess the power to own your journey. Trust yourself, celebrate your progress, and keep pursuing your dreams with confidence—your success is waiting for you!
About The Success Guidebook: How to Visualize, Actualize, and Amplify You
An inspirational guide for visualizing and actualizing success on a personal and professional level.
Literary Titan Book Award Winner: Nonfiction
2024 Finalist, International Book Awards, Nonfiction: Inspirational
Author Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino, master life coach and founder of The Best Ever You Network has long espoused that we must redefine success for our authentic selves—a one-size fits-all-concept is not only outdated but unworkable. Success is so much more than data or the dollars in our bank account. True success is reflected in the smiles that brighten our faces and the peace that settles in our hearts. It's the gratitude we seek in all things and the intention and actions being our very best in each moment.
In The Success Guidebook, readers will find inspiration, motivation, and a pathway to live their best, most fulfilling life. By implementing Elizabeth’s unique Ten Factors of Success—the behaviors consistently exhibited by people who stand out and behave with world-class excellence—readers will learn how to finally overcome the stubborn obstacles that have stood in their way and harness the power to move forward with clarity, a renewed purpose, and the personalized confidence to build a life of bold, brave, and infinite possibilities. Included are profiles of 20 people who exemplify these principles. Here’s the secret: You don’t need to be on a national or international platform to be world-class. You can have it right in your own home, to be and feel successful in each and every moment of your life. This book will help you learn how to tap into world-class behaviors and get the results you desire—at last.
About the Author
Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino is a bestselling author, motivational speaker, and expert in personal and professional development. She is the CEO and founder of the Best Ever You Network, which is dedicated to helping individuals lead their best lives by reconnecting with their authentic selves and embracing a path of health, peace, and well-being. Elizabeth is the author of several best-selling books, including The Change Guidebook, The Success Guidebook, and Percolate: Let Your Best Self Filter Through, which she co-wrote with Dr. Katie Eastman. These have inspired countless readers to navigate change, success, and personal growth. Her latest work, The Peace Guidebook, co-authored with Dr. Katie Eastman, focuses on cultivating hope, healing, and harmony for all humanity.
A thought leader in self-improvement, Elizabeth’s work has been featured in such publications as Good Housekeeping and Forbes, Daily Om, Thrive Global, and Huff Post. Alongside Dr. Katie Eastman, she has sparked social movements, such as the goal to help 1,000,000 people "percolate peace." She is also the host of The Best Ever You Podcast, which has over 6 million downloads, and a co-host of the YouTube series Real Life.
In addition to her work in personal development, Elizabeth is an advocate for food allergy awareness, having authored children's books such as A Lesson for Every Child: Learning About Food Allergies and Dream Big with Food Allergies, with co-author Sally Huss. She serves as a spokesperson for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT) and has lived with life-threatening food allergies herself.
Elizabeth holds a degree in journalism from St. Ambrose University and attended Harvard Business School for leadership. She brings over two decades of experience to her coaching services, where she helps individuals and businesses thrive through change and success. Elizabeth and her husband live in Maine with their four sons and three rescued cats.
Comments