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Standing Tall: A Guide to Growing Self-Confidence, featuring Mayia Warren's Story

Self-confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. Everyone struggles with self-doubt from time to time, whether it’s speaking up in class, trying something new, or just believing in your own worth. The good news is that confidence grows with practice.

Six Behaviors to Increase Your Confidence

Confidence can be the key to unlocking your full potential—but how do you actually build it? It’s not about being perfect or pretending you have it all together. Real self-confidence comes from knowing who you are, embracing your strengths, and learning from your mistakes.

In her TEDx talk, "Six behaviors to increase your confidence", business leader Emily Jaenson shares six practical behaviors to build confidence: count yourself in to take immediate action, give yourself 20 seconds of courage to overcome fear, take a seat at the table to be seen and heard, cheer for others to create a supportive environment, leverage past successes to remind yourself of your capabilities, and celebrate achievements regularly to reinforce positive momentum. She emphasizes that confidence is not something you're born with—it's something you build through consistent action.





Improving Self Esteem

Think about a time you felt proud of yourself—maybe you finished a tough task, stood up for what you believed in, or simply tried something new. Those moments, big or small, are the foundation of self-confidence. It’s not about comparing yourself to others but learning to recognize and celebrate your own growth. 

MindOrg's post, “How can I improve my self-esteem?” offers practical, evidence-based tips like challenging negative self-talk, accepting compliments, setting achievable goals, building a support network, and practicing self-care through sleep, nutrition, and exercise. It encourages self-compassion, positive affirmations, and small personal challenges to help shift how you see yourself over time. 




What do you think about self confidence? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Featuring...

Mayia Warren's Story

Mayia Warren is a multi-talented individual dedicated to advocating for invisible disabilities, albinism, and chronic illnesses. Through various mediums such as music, writing, podcasts, and digital content, she educates and entertains while shedding light on her own journey and the broader experiences of her community. Residing in Greensboro, NC, she's devoted herself to advocacy work, utilizing her experiences and faith as catalysts for positive change.


Check out Mayia's full interview here: https://youtu.be/0xqoecmlY4M?si=Lu9zEFJ6dITdIbkk

The SPAN Youth Chat

Join Rachel Shandler and the SPAN Youth Engagement Team virtually on July 2nd from 4:15 to 5:00 PM,  to get prepared for emergencies and learn everyday safety tips—like how to handle bug bites, protect your hearing while using earbuds, and more. 



Resources...

Link to SPAN's website: www.spanadvocacy.org
Link to SPAN's Youth in the Know Resource Page: Youth in the Know
We're here for you! Call SPAN if you need assistance: 1-800-654-7726.

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