Let’s talk about confidence

Because success is no cure for a loud inner critic

I’m a coach, working with creative professionals.

My clients are actors, artists, authors, designers, film-makers, photographers, writers — many of them at the top of their professions.

You might think these people have no issues with confidence, that their inner critic is largely silent. You’d be wrong.

This is a story about two separate coaching sessions, with two different singer/songwriters. I’m sharing them here in the hope that it’s helpful.

Coaching sessions are confidential, so I’m not going to tell you who these two are, or go into much detail. But they both gave permission for me to share this version of their story.

Session 1: She is a successful British singer.

She had lost confidence, especially in media appearances. So her label booked a coaching session with me to prepare for her next round of promotional interviews.

“Who do you think of as confident?” I ask.

She names a successful male artist. He’s always so relaxed, casual, low-key, she explains. So in charge.