30+ Reasons You Might Join a Workshop to Build Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem

Do any of these sound like you?

These are just some of the reasons people come to Gutsy courses and workshops wanting to build self-confidence and self-esteem. Lots of them are things I’ve experienced myself and maybe some feel familiar to you, too.

If you read down this list and think “yep, that’s me”, take a deep breath and know that there’s nothing wrong with you and you don’t need fixing. Perhaps you just need space to connect with others who really get it, and to stretch in gentle ways that help you grow.

If any of these sound familiar, you’re wonderfully human. And you’re not alone.

Public Speaking Panic + Performance Wobbles

“I get in a complete panic before presentations.”

Whether it’s a uni crit, a pitch or a panel – your brain is screaming nope. Let’s help it say maybe... then actually, yes.

“I go red, my heart pounds and I start shaking when I have to talk in public.”

You’re not malfunctioning. You’re just extremely, beautifully alive. (And we can work with that.)

“I get mind blanks when I’m speaking in front of others.”

Brain: “Let’s forget every word we’ve ever known. Including your own name.” Sound familiar? Don’t worry – you can learn strategies for staying calm, focused and in flow.

“I waffle far too much because I’m so nervous.”

It’s OK. Waffles are delicious. I can help you release that self-judgement and express what matters to you.

“I talk so quickly that people can’t understand me. I just want it to be over.”

You’re rushing to safety and that’s a wise protective response. With practice, you can learn to turn “rushed and red-faced” into “steady and grounded”.

“I should be speaking up more at college or work, or doing more public speaking for my job, but I avoid it as much as possible.”

It’s completely reasonable that you’d avoid something that doesn’t feel good! Unfortunately, avoidance can make those anxious feelings worse. With guidance and a safe place to practice, you build up muscle memory of successfully challenging yourself. Even better: when the process is fun, creative and supportive, you’re creating a bank of positive experiences to counter past difficult ones.

Work, Study + Professional Life Overthinking

“People talk over me.”

Whether it’s a seminar, a group project or a team meeting – it doesn’t mean you’re not worth listening to. Let’s make space for your ideas, your creations and your voice.

“I don’t say enough in meetings.”

Or tutorials. Or critiques. Or interviews. You’re a thoughtful soul and you care deeply about your contribution. These situations are hard – but you deserve to be heard.

“I find it difficult to say what I think to my boss / tutor / supervisor.”

Totally fair. Power dynamics are weird, unfair and everywhere. You can develop a sense of safety deep within, so you can represent yourself and your ideas with confidence when it really matters.

“I need to be much more assertive in group work / at work / with peers.”

Assertiveness isn’t about dominance. It’s about knowing you’re allowed to contribute in ways that really work for you. It can feel bold to assert your needs – and it can create space for different conversations, better ideas, and for others who are struggling too.

“I question myself continually about my knowledge levels and my ability to do my job properly, even when I get positive feedback.”

Whether you’re just graduated, mid-PhD, three years into your first job, returning to work after a break – self-doubt is real. And it’s something we can unpick and transform.

Inner Critics + Mind Mazes

“I’m super critical of myself and feel like I’m never good enough.”

That inner critic needs wrangling. We can sit it down and dig into what’s at the root of those cruel words. And we can find ways to sidestep them entirely to clear your path ahead.

“I’ve always been told I speak too quietly, I don’t contribute enough, and that my quiet nature is going to hold me back.”

I was told these things too, and I believed them. Sadly, there’s a lot of misunderstanding out there about shyness, introversion and sensitivity. Those voices have had way too much airtime. Let’s hand the mic to something kinder, smarter and more inclusive.

“I question myself a lot and end up not doing the thing that would have been right.”

That’s self-doubt doing laps around your confidence. Let’s reconnect to your gut instincts, your intuition and your inner knowing – and break the loop.

“I expect too much of myself. If I’m not 100% sure, I stay silent.”

My guess is you’re burnt out from trying to be perfect. Time to lift all that pressure off your shoulders, and let yourself be human. At first it feels risky; then it feels like freedom.

“I go round in circles and don’t achieve very much at all, or I’m scared to make a move towards what I want.”

This isn’t laziness – it’s likely fear, overwhelm or following guidance that doesn’t suit your personality or unique lived experience – or all of the above. You can move again.

“I have a really low opinion of myself.”

That voice in your head? It’s not the truth. It’s just old. Let’s rewrite the story.

People-Pleasing + Boundary Fears

“I can’t say no to anyone so I’m always overwhelmed.”

You’re not alone. Learning to say “no” (without the guilt) is a skill. We can practice.

“I avoid any kind of conflict.”

Conflict does feel scary, especially if nobody modelled healthy conflict when you were growing up. You don’t have to become a fighter – just someone who doesn’t disappear.

“I avoid certain people when I know I should stand up to them.”

Avoidance isn’t weakness – it’s self-protection. You can build quiet strength, confidence and self-worth so that you can hold your own ground.

“I worry about being a burden on others.”

It can be so hard to ask for help and accept offers of support. Interdependence is undervalued in our society, while individualistic success is celebrated. We can unlearn these wounds together.

Confidence Dips + Comparison Spirals

“I don’t really know what I want, but I know something’s off or missing.”

When we’re struggling, it’s so easy to get stuck in patterns of avoidance and withdrawal. The trick is to take a first step – paths, ideas and options will open up ahead of you, like the many branches of a tree.

“Other people seem to have confidence and I feel like they know something I don’t.”

They’re just winging it differently. Confidence is something you’ll build through practice. I can help you build the kind that’s solid and real.

“I never feel equal to others and I imagine they’re above me, judging me.”

In rooms filled with dominant voices, bosses, academics, artists, extroverts or experts – it’s easy to shrink. But belonging isn’t about being the same – it’s something you cultivate in yourself, and in safe community.

“I’m too shy.”

Said every secretly brilliant person ever. Shyness isn’t a flaw – it’s a flavour.

“I’m nervous about an interview coming up.”

Or a viva. Or starting a new job. Or a networking event. Or a big scary pitch. That doesn’t mean you’re not ready – it means you care. Prep with power and show up with all your quiet courage.

“I’m feeling wobbly and uncertain because I’m changing direction and it feels like a big step up.”

That leap into something new can be terrifying. Seeking support is a smart move and will help you land on your feet.

“I don’t like being out of my comfort zone so I avoid situations that feel difficult.”

It’s a survival strategy. But what if your comfort zone got a bit bigger?

“I struggle to make decisions.”

Maybe you just think deeply. (Which is great... until you spiral.) You can learn to trust your gut again.

Visibility, Vulnerability + Creative Nerves

“I hate sharing my work – people will think it’s bad or think I’m bad.”

Visibility doesn’t have to feel like over-exposure. With care, you can build up your capacity over time, until the unimaginable feels easy.

“I really struggle when I’m asked a difficult question about my work or ideas.”

You don’t have to know everything. You just need to know how to find your flow, and to feel safe enough to respond.

“I avoid talking about what I do because I feel awkward or small.”

You believe in your work and your do amazing things. You just need a way to say it that feels right for you.

“I need help promoting myself but I don’t want to become someone I’m not.”

You can stay grounded and real – and still get noticed.

“I’m an artist / writer / poet / researcher but I panic when I have to present or pitch my work.”

Your creativity, ideas and expertise aren’t the problem. It’s the pressure. Let’s find ways to melt the blocks that hold you back, so you can express yourself and your ideas with confidence.

✨ If You Recognised Yourself Here...

You’re not too sensitive, too weird, too awkward or too intense.

You’re probably just stuck in a story you didn’t choose.

And I can help you rewrite it.

If you’re interested in monthly small-group workshops in London, add your details to this quick form and I’ll be in touch about the next session.

If you’d like to learn about Unleash, my 8-week course in London, read all the details and register your interest here.

You don’t have to go it alone 🧡