Throughout my life, I have been deeply moved by women who quietly and steadily influence the world for good. Some lead publicly. Others lead within their homes, neighborhoods, churches, and friendships. What they share in common is not volume or dominance, but clarity about who they are and a willingness to use their voice with courage and love.

You are sitting with a group of friends at lunch, and one of them spontaneously brings up some new information about someone that could not join your group that day. The news is shocking, and you feel sick to your stomach the moment they began to disclose such awful news. The biggest problem is this person they were talking about has become a very dear friend to you.

If self-doubt has caused you to feel discouraged or stuck it is important to understand that you are not alone. Even the most powerful world leaders have struggled with self-confidence at certain points in their lives. However, the techniques and tools outlined in this article are key to overcoming the paralysis of self-doubt, and when implemented in your daily lives you will cultivate new levels of confidence, self-awareness, and self-compassion.