Quiet Power
When a performer is quiet does that demonstrate no confidence in their abilities? When a performer is loud does that demonstrate confidence?
Confidence is often mistaken for loudness, boldness, or an outward display of certainty. In reality, for us—whether you are an athlete, musician, actor, or speaker—confidence is something much quieter. It lives in preparation, trust, and the ability to stay present when it matters most.
Our confidence is built, not given. It grows through the repetition, practice, and small quiet wins that reassure our belief over time, not loud outbursts like some may believe. When we consistently commit to our craft, we begin to replace any doubt with certainty. Making the stage, field, or spotlight becomes less intimidating and more like home.
One of the biggest challenges we face is managing how we speak to ourselves. Confidence thrives when self-talk is constructive rather than critical. For example, be honest and realistic with yourself rather than rude and hateful. Therefore instead of focusing on what could go wrong, shifting our attention to what we can control—our effort, our preparation, and our mindset can create a foundation for our we speak to ourselves. This shift does not guarantee perfection, yet, it initiates a start to your “quiet power.”
Confidence also plays an important role in recovery from mistakes. Remember no performance is flawless, and setbacks are inevitable. Confident performers focus on their response compared to the mistake to event itself. Rather than spiraling after an error, they reset quickly, trusting their training and staying engaged in the moment. Moving forward, try to learn from the mistake and trust the preparation you have done to put you in the position you are in!
As an athlete we tend to always want to “prove” something to everyone. Confidence is less about proving something to others and more about trusting yourself. It is the quiet belief that you are prepared, capable, and ready to rise to the occasion. As performers, having that specific belief can make all the difference—not just in how we perform, but in how we experience the process in itself!
See you in the next one!
-Jentri Worley
