Lesson 16: Gaslight yourself into thinking you’re confident

Confidence is often seen as this elusive, almost mystical quality—either you have it, or you don’t. But here’s the truth no one tells you: confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you create. 

And sometimes, the best way to create it is by convincing yourself you already have it.

Yes, I’m saying gaslight yourself into thinking you’re confident.

At the WRO 2022 nationals in Kenya, I found myself standing in front of an audience with a microphone, unprepared and unsure of what to say. Yet, in that moment, I chose to gaslight myself into believing that I was confident.

I stepped up, smiled, and spoke as if I’d done it a hundred times before. The result? Not only did I deliver a speech that resonated, but a representative from the government approached me afterward, impressed enough to invite me to teach at a robotics workshop.

This experience taught me that sometimes, the key to confidence is simply convincing yourself you have it. Pretend to know what you’re doing until you actually figure it out. Confidence is contagious—others will believe in you if you believe in yourself, even if you have to fake it at first.

The next time you’re faced with uncertainty, remember: the way you carry yourself can make all the difference. Confidence isn’t about knowing all the answers—it’s about believing you’ll figure them out.