Why Self-Belief Matters More Than You Think
Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought:
“I’m just not good enough”?
Maybe someone doubted you. Or maybe worse — you doubted yourself.
If that sounds familiar, I want you to know something:
You’re not alone — and you’re not stuck.
Self-belief isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build.
Like a muscle. And even if you’ve been knocked down by life, failure, or rejection — you can still strengthen it, one small action at a time.
Let me show you how.
My Story: Rejected 74 Times, Still Moving Forward
I’ve always been pretty outgoing. I love people. I love talking. And I’ve always had a strong desire to explore the world and learn.
But even with that mindset, I faced a lot of rejection early in my life.
When I was still a student in my hometown of Ha Tinh, Vietnam, I dreamed of studying abroad. But my family couldn’t afford it. So I applied to scholarship after scholarship, hoping for that one big “yes.”
And I kept getting no.
Not once.
Not twice.
But for five years straight.
Each rejection felt like a personal failure. I started questioning myself:
“Am I really good enough?”
“Is this dream even possible?”
But deep down, there was a voice that whispered:
“Try again. You’re not done yet.”
Eventually, that persistence paid off — I got accepted to UWC (United World Colleges). And that changed everything. It was the start of my journey across continents, from studying in Canada to the US, the UK and giving TEDx Talks.
But here’s the truth:
It wasn’t a lucky break.
It was the result of building belief in myself when no one else could see what I saw.
Now, I want to show you how to do the same.
The 3-Step Framework to Build Self-Belief
These are the exact steps I used during those difficult years — and still use today as an athlete, entrepreneur, and mentor. They’re simple, actionable, and they work.
Step 1: Collect the Evidence — Even When It’s Hard to See
Most people keep mental track of their failures.
You need to flip that.
Start tracking your growth — even the tiniest wins.
When I kept getting rejected from scholarships, I started a notebook. Inside, I wrote:
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What I did better on this application than the last one
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What feedback someone gave me that showed I was improving
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Any positive comment from a teacher or mentor
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A sentence I was proud of writing in my essay
That notebook became my anchor. On days I felt like quitting, I opened it — and remembered that progress was happening, even if the outcome hadn’t shown yet.
You can do the same:
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Start a “Confidence Folder” on your phone
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Save screenshots of kind messages, positive reviews, or small achievements
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Write down one thing every evening that made you proud
Why this works: Your brain is wired to notice danger and failure. When you show it proof of your growth, you start to train your mind to see your potential.
Step 2: Take Brave Action — Even When You’re Tired of Failing
Here’s a truth I had to learn the hard way:
Confidence doesn’t come before action. It comes after.
After 74 rejections, I could have stopped trying. But I didn’t.
Each time, I rewrote the application.
I asked someone new to read my essay.
I found a different scholarship to apply for.
Was I confident? No. I was tired, uncertain, and frustrated.
But I acted anyway — because I believed my dream mattered.
This principle shows up in every stage of my life:
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When I launched my company without a perfect plan
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When I trained for my first Ironman race without feeling like a “real” athlete
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When I spoke at TEDx even though I was scared to mess up
The takeaway?
Don’t wait to feel ready. Take one step — and let belief grow through action.
Step 3: Rewrite the Story You Tell Yourself
This one is powerful.
Because self-belief starts with self-talk.
During those rejection years, I often caught myself thinking:
“Maybe I’m just not cut out for this.”
“Other people are smarter, more talented.”
“I’m not enough.”
But once I got into UWC and reflected on my journey, I realized:
Those beliefs weren’t truth. They were just stories.
And stories can be rewritten.
So I started changing the script:
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“I am someone who never gives up.”
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“I am becoming someone who creates opportunities.”
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“I am learning to lead with confidence.”
Now, I write affirmations in my journal. I say them out loud when I run. I stick them on my mirror.
It’s not magic. It’s mental reconditioning.
Try this:
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Catch your old script: “I’m not confident enough.”
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Replace it with: “I’m learning to trust myself more each day.”
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Reinforce it with small wins (Step 1) and action (Step 2)
And remember: You don’t have to fake it. Just speak into who you’re becoming.
Real Talk: You’re Allowed to Doubt — But Don’t Quit
No one wakes up full of confidence.
Not me. Not Mel Robbins. Not Tony Robbins. Not anyone.
But the people who shine?
They choose to believe — even before the world gives them permission.
They show up for themselves.
They keep trying.
They take action even when it’s scary.
That’s what I want for you.
Your Light Is Already Inside You
Let’s be clear:
You don’t need a fancy degree to believe in yourself.
You don’t need everyone to say “yes.”
You don’t need a perfect plan or the loudest voice in the room.
You just need to take the next brave step.
Because every action you take is a vote for the strongest, boldest, most resilient version of you.
And that version? They’re already inside you — waiting.
Let’s Reflect Together
If this spoke to you, I invite you to do one thing:
Comment below: “I believe in myself.”
Say it, even if it feels awkward.
Say it because it matters.
Say it because today, you’re building the kind of belief that doesn’t break.