A transformation coach and business mentor on how to believe in yourself

The strength of self-conviction

Belief is such an incredibly powerful tool. It’s the quiet, steady confidence that allows you to step forward when the path is unclear, the force behind your ability to set boundaries, and the strength to push past setbacks. But here’s the reality: belief doesn’t just “happen.” It’s something you cultivate and deepen.

To believe in yourself is to trust your instincts, embrace your imperfections, and truly commit to your growth—no matter how messy or uncertain it feels. This self-belief sets the foundation for building a stronger sense of self-worth, and that’s where the transformation truly begins.

Self-worth vs. self-esteem

So how can you distinguish between self-worth and self-esteem? Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself based on what you achieve or how others perceive you. It can fluctuate depending on external factors like job performance, relationships and friendships, or even how you look on a given day.

Self-worth, on the other hand, is rooted in the inherent value you bring to the world just by being who you are. It’s constant and not swayed by external circumstances. Improving your self-worth means embracing the fact that you are deserving of love, respect, and success—without the need for external validation.

The steps to take to begin believing in you

Rewrite your own inner dialogue. One of the most impactful ways to believe in yourself is to pay attention to how you speak to yourself. What do you tell yourself when things go wrong? Many of us have and recognise our inner critic’s voice. It can be loud and harsh and appears to serve just to keep us in check. But imagine what would change if you rewrote that dialogue? Instead of “I’m not good enough,” try, “I’m doing the best I can, and that’s enough.” Start journaling to become more conscious of these thoughts. Observe the patterns, challenging the negative narratives and replace them with affirmations that reflect your inherent worth and strengths.

Celebrate your achievements. We all do this. We regularly gloss over our wins, focusing instead on what we didn’t get right or what’s next on the to-do list. To boost self-worth, it’s absolutely essential that you celebrate your success. It could be as small as completing a task you’ve been dreading or as significant as landing a new client. Create a “win journal” where you record your accomplishments daily or weekly. Think of it like a very practical gratitude list! Over time, you’ll see just how much you’ve done, and you’ll start to build a much stronger connection to your strengths and abilities.

Know who are you when you are with others! Believing in yourself and valuing your self-worth means setting boundaries that protect your energy and wellbeing. Saying “no” doesn’t make you difficult or selfish—it’s a declaration that your time, your health, and your peace are valuable. This might look like declining clients or projects that don’t align with your goals or just don’t feel right, limiting your exposure to negative environments, or even stepping away from relationships that drain you. Think about a time when you left a conversation or a meeting feeling completely exhausted, even though you didn’t do anything physically demanding. Or when you’ve walked away from certain people or situations feeling like a lighter, more energised version of yourself. Chances are, you’ve encountered The Drainers and The Sponges—two types of people who have a profound impact on your energy and wellbeing.

The domino effect self-worth has in your business and life

When you improve your self-worth, it doesn’t just impact how you feel internally—it shifts the way you show up in every single area of life.

In business, you’ll notice yourself better able to take educated risks that you might have shied away from before. You’ll stop second-guessing yourself! You’ll be more willing to stand by your ideas, take leadership roles, and pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach. You’ll also stop compromising on things like pricing your services or accepting roles that don’t align with your purpose.

In your personal life, nurturing self-worth strengthens relationships and friendships. By showing how you treat yourself, you are setting the tone for how you expect others to treat you. As you believe more in yourself, you’ll attract the right kind of energy resulting in surrounding yourself with people who respect and uplift you, creating a circle of support that mirrors the worth you’ve cultivated within.

This path to believing in yourself takes time. It’s never about flipping a switch overnight. It’s about making daily decisions to treat yourself with compassion, honouring your efforts, and trusting that you’re worthy of the dreams you’re chasing.

When you build a foundation of self-worth, remember that you’re not just building yourself up, you’re also creating ripple effects that empower those around you. And that’s the kind of impact that changes everything! Self-belief is the quiet strength that fuels your dreams, the inner voice that reminds you that you are more than enough. When you choose to believe in yourself, you unlock the power to create, to grow, and to rise above it all no matter what gets thrown in front of you.

Believing in yourself is the foundation of everything you’ll ever build. It’s the quiet force behind every little leap, every big dream, and every confident step forward—trust it, and watch your world transform.

Niamh Ennis is a leading transformation coach and business mentor who through her private practice, programmes, workshops, and podcast supports women to achieve clarity, build confidence, and master the strategies needed to elevate in life and business.  She’s the Lead Coach in The IMAGE Business Club. Find out more about how to work with Niamh here and find her on Instagram at @1niamhennis.