How Young People Can Build True Self-Confidence

Some young people believe that self-confidence is an innate trait, but this is not true. Confidence is a behavior that can be acquired and strengthened through certain habits. It is also normal for confidence to fluctuate, but being aware of these fluctuations helps restore it gradually.

Jehan Mohamed Safar, an international protocol and leadership excellence consultant and trainer, told Sayidaty that youth is the golden period for developing this skill. “It’s the stage of first decisions, first experiences, and choices that lay the foundation for the rest of life,” she explained.

She asks, “What makes one person command a strong presence while another seems hesitant? What distinguishes a young man who speaks clearly and confidently from a young woman who fears expressing herself despite having brilliant ideas?” She adds, “The secret isn’t in circumstances but in the internal structure of confidence: thought, habit, and behavior.”

During her interview, Jehan Safar revealed the secrets of confidence and how any young person can build it in a practical and deep way.

What Is Self-Confidence?

According to Safar:

“Self-confidence is a healthy assessment of your value and abilities, recognizing your strengths and weaknesses without exaggeration or understatement. It’s the awareness that you can face challenges, achieve goals, and keep learning no matter how long the journey. Confidence is not arrogance. Arrogance elevates you above others, while confidence elevates you before yourself.”

Confidence also has a physical aspect—your posture, the way you walk, your shoulder position, voice tone, and facial expressions all send signals that reinforce inner confidence.

Secrets to Building Self-Confidence

1. Confidence Comes from Small Achievements

Young people often seek big leaps, but confidence is built through small, consistent steps. Completing a simple task daily creates evidence of success that gradually boosts confidence.

2. Internal Dialogue Is Your Compass

Everyone has an inner voice. Confident youth manage this dialogue by replacing “I can’t” with “I’ll try” and “What if I fail?” with “I’ll learn regardless of the outcome.”

3. Your Environment Shapes 50% of Your Confidence

Spending time with negative or mocking people drains you, while surrounding yourself with motivating individuals fuels your energy. Choose your circles as carefully as you choose your future.

4. Confidence Is a Physical Skill Too

Body language, walking style, posture, voice tone, and expressions are not just appearances—they signal your brain to increase your sense of strength.

5. Challenges Build Confidence

Difficult experiences are raw material for a stronger self-image. Reframe challenges by asking: Why did this happen? What did I learn? How will it serve my future?

Practical Steps to Boost Confidence

Jehan Safar believes that confidence can be learned and offers the following tips for young people:

Create a Weekly Achievement Log
Write down all accomplishments, even small ones. Use a notebook, folder, or app, and list five achievements per week. After 30 days, you’ll see a radical improvement in self-assessment, with undeniable evidence of your abilities.
Apply the “Two-Minute Rule”
Start any habit or skill you find daunting for just two minutes a day. After a week, it becomes a habit; after a month, part of your identity.
Voice Training
Practice your voice once a week:

Speak in front of a mirror for a minute
Read a paragraph aloud with a steady voice
Record yourself and track progress
Improving your voice significantly boosts confidence.

Invest in Your Appearance
Caring for your appearance isn’t superficial—it sends a message to yourself: “I deserve the best.” Youth who maintain their appearance feel more empowered to make decisions.
Daily Courage Challenges
Pick something small that scares you and do it. Ask a curious question, speak to a new person, request help, or share an idea. Repeated exposure to fear reduces its impact.
Supportive Environment
Confidence grows with support. Remove people or habits that break you down, such as negative individuals, excessive social media scrolling, or unhealthy comparisons.
Adopt a Growth Mindset
Confident youth don’t wait for perfection—they start and improve along the way. Perfection kills ambition, while growth fuels it.