Some people walk into confidence. Most people grow into it, one slightly braver moment at a time.

Confidence is not the thing you need before you act. It is the residue of having acted, which is why waiting to feel ready keeps you still and why the people who look like they were born with it mostly collected evidence earlier than you did. Those small moments add up to a sense that you can handle things.

So find the smallest thing this week that makes your stomach turn over slightly and do that one. Speak in class, ask for the shift, send the message. Small on purpose, and soon.