How to Be a Confident Woman & Live a BIG Life
Confidence is a powerful trait. It commands respect, opens doors, and allows us to show up as the best versions of ourselves in every area of life. Yet, cultivating confidence isn’t always easy. For many women, societal pressures, limiting beliefs, and the demands of daily life make stepping into their power feel like an uphill battle.
If you’ve been looking for ways to build your confidence and live life on your own terms, Joan Burge’s book, Give Yourself Permission to Live a BIG Life, provides incredible insights. Joan is a visionary who believes every woman has the ability to own her power and make bold moves toward the life she truly deserves.
Here, we’ll explore actionable strategies pulled from Joan’s teachings to help you discover how to be a confident woman, one who not only embraces challenges but thrives because of them.
Why Confidence Matters
Confidence is often misunderstood, surrounded by myths and antiquated ideas that can hinder personal growth.
One common misconception is that confidence is an inherent trait—you either have it or you don’t. This outdated belief can discourage people, especially women, from pursuing development, as it ignores the fact that confidence is cultivated through experience and self-awareness.
Another myth is that confidence equates to arrogance or dominance, but true confidence is not about overshadowing others or being the loudest in the room. Real confidence is a quiet self-assurance rooted in authenticity and a clear sense of self-worth.
Dismantling these misconceptions is crucial to understanding that confidence isn’t about perfection or pretending to be fearless. It’s about resilience, learning from failures, and stepping into your power with grace and purpose. Confidence is a reflection of how you see yourself and how you handle the world around you. Confidence allows you to take risks, put yourself out there, and grow from your experiences.
Habits of Confident Women
For women, confidence plays a unique and powerful role in breaking boundaries and achieving personal and professional goals. It’s the driving force behind taking bold steps, whether it’s advocating for a long-overdue promotion, pitching a groundbreaking idea, or walking into a room full of unfamiliar faces and owning the space.
Confidence reinforces your sense of self-worth, allowing you to push past doubts and tackle challenges head-on. It’s a skill that grows with practice, empowering women to challenge societal norms, speak up with authority, and pave the way for future opportunities.
If you’ve been feeling less than confident lately, don’t worry. Confidence is something you build. It grows through daily actions, and developing healthy habits is one of the most effective ways to nurture it.
Joan Burge emphasizes the importance of habits that align with your values and big-picture goals. Here are a few to consider adopting today:
- Start With Intentional Mornings Confident women start their days with purpose. Instead of snoozing the alarm or rushing through the morning, create a routine that sets a positive tone. This could include moments of reflection, like journaling about your goals or practicing gratitude, or physical activity that energizes you, like yoga or a brisk walk. By taking ownership of your morning routine, you set a confident tone for the rest of your day.
- Eliminate Negative Self-Talk Negative self-talk is one of the biggest confidence killers. Many women are their harshest critics, focusing on perceived flaws instead of celebrating their strengths. Joan advocates replacing self-defeating thoughts with empowering affirmations. For example, instead of thinking, “I’m not good enough for this opportunity,” replace it with, “I am more than capable of handling this.” Write these affirmations somewhere visible, and repeat them until they become second nature.
- Prioritize Self-Care Often, women put everyone else’s needs ahead of their own. Yet, you can’t pour into others if your own cup is empty. Prioritizing physical, emotional, and mental well-being through self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Schedule time for activities that relax, recharge, or invigorate you. Whether it’s reading a book, enjoying a spa day, or simply saying “no” to overcommitment, self-care is a way of committing to yourself.
- Practice Daily Wins Confidence isn’t built overnight—it’s a gradual process that grows with consistent effort and small victories. Every step forward, no matter how small, contributes to your sense of self-assurance. Start by setting realistic, bite-sized goals that you can achieve daily, like completing a workout, learning something new, or tackling a small task on your to-do list. Each completed task reinforces your competence and reminds you of your ability to follow through.
Over time, these small wins create a ripple effect, building momentum and preparing you to take on bigger challenges with greater confidence. It’s a journey, not a destination, so celebrate the progress along the way!
The Role of Body Language
Your body language speaks volumes, often before you say a single word. Joan highlights the impact of nonverbal communication in creating a confident presence. Even if you’re feeling uncertain on the inside, adopting confident body language can shift your mindset and how others perceive you.
- The Power of Posture Confident women own their space. Stand tall, with your shoulders pulled back and your chin raised. Good posture not only makes you look more self-assured but also triggers feelings of confidence internally.
- Use Open Gestures Closed body language, like crossing your arms or hunching over, can make you appear defensive or uncertain. Instead, use open gestures during conversations. Keep your hands relaxed and visible, and maintain natural eye contact to build trust and connection.
- Smile With Purpose Never underestimate the power of a smile. It radiates warmth, builds rapport, and demonstrates approachability while reinforcing your confidence. A smile shows the world that you’re in control and comfortable in your own skin.
- Master the Confident Walk The way you move makes an impression. A confident walk is steady, deliberate, and purposeful. Avoid rushing or shuffling. Take your time, find a natural rhythm, and stride with intention.
How to Build Confidence in Everyday Life
Confidence, like many soft skills, is a powerful tool that can elevate both your professional and personal life. Developing confidence can help you communicate effectively, take on challenges, and seize opportunities in the workplace.
Strengthening your confidence in everyday situations can improve your relationships, foster resilience, and encourage personal growth. By building confidence in one area, you create a positive ripple effect, enhancing every aspect of your life.
Building confidence doesn’t require dramatic changes. Sometimes, the simplest steps can have the biggest impact.
Here’s how you can bring Joan’s philosophy on confidence into your daily life:
- Step Outside Your Comfort Zone Growth happens when you stretch beyond what feels safe. Challenge yourself to take on projects that intimidate you, attend events where you don’t know anyone, or advocate for yourself in a way that feels bold. Each small step outside your comfort zone reinforces your ability to handle whatever comes your way.
- Seek Out Mentors and Supportive Networks Navigating the path to confidence is easier when you surround yourself with positive influences. Joan emphasizes the value of strong communities that challenge, support, and inspire you. Participate in women’s groups, mastermind sessions, or mentorship programs to gain fresh perspectives and encouragement.
Not sure where to start? Joan’s BIG Life Mastermind was designed for women like you who are ready to discover their confidence alongside a like-minded, supportive group.
3. Learn to Say No Saying “yes” to every request can leave you overextended and resentful. Confident women understand the power of saying “no” to protect their energy and align their priorities. When faced with requests that don’t serve your long-term goals, practice politely declining without guilt.
4. Celebrate Failures as Lessons No one is confident 100% of the time, and that’s okay. Failures and missteps are part of the process. In fact, failure is one of the key foundations upon which confidence is built. Confident women don’t dwell on mistakes. They reflect on them, extract key lessons, and move forward stronger and wiser.
Joan Burge’s Transformative Philosophy
At the heart of Joan’s teachings is the belief that every woman deserves to live a BIG life. This is about fully stepping into your potential, boldly pursuing your goals, and owning your worth. Confidence is the fuel that powers that BIG life.
Her Give Yourself Permission to Live a BIG Life framework offers a roadmap for how to be a confident woman by overcoming self-doubt and unlocking your inner strength. From adopting empowering habits to redefining your relationship with failure, Joan provides the tools to transform aspirations into achievements.
Your Big, Bold Next Step
Confidence is a muscle. The more you work at it, the stronger it becomes. No matter where you are on your confidence journey, know that it’s never too late to grow, transform, and boldly chase the life you’ve always imagined.
If you’re ready to dig deeper and take actionable steps toward becoming the confident, empowered woman you aspire to be, Joan’s BIG Life Mastermind is here to guide you. Find your confidence, unlock your potential, and live your BIGGEST life!
Register now: BIG Life Mastermind
It’s time to stop doubting yourself and start owning your brilliance. You deserve to live confidently and pursue your dreams unapologetically. Together, with actionable steps and the teachings of Joan Burge, there’s no limit to how big your life can be.
Confidence is within your reach. Start today and never look back.
