Facing self-doubt and unsure confidence? You’re not the only one. Intriguingly, Harvard University research indicates that when women don’t meet career objectives, leaders often perceive it as a lack of self-confidence. This misattribution can stem from societal norms and personal experiences. To combat this, I’ve carefully selected the best books on building confidence, each aimed at bolstering self-worth and refining your mindset.
These books are more than just guides; they’re stepping stones to a more confident and empowered you. As you embark on this transformative journey, also explore our ‘50 Uplifting Self-Confidence Quotes for Women’ – a curated collection to further inspire and bolster your confidence journey.
Which book is best to Increase Confidence?
If you’re struggling with confidence issues, know that you’re not alone – and there are things you can do to start building up your confidence and overcome self-doubt.
RELATED READ | 10 Proven Strategies to Skyrocket Your Self-Confidence Today!
Without further ado, here are the Best books on Self-Confidence:
Books on Self-Confidence by Famous Leaders and Authors
Dive into the profound insights shared by renowned leaders and accomplished authors who’ve generously imparted their wisdom on the art of building self-confidence. I’ve handpicked a selection of confidence books that resonate with the experiences and expertise of these remarkable individuals. These influential works don’t just provide guidance; they become your companions on the journey to amplifying your self-assurance and embarking on a path toward enhanced confidence and self-worth.
RELATED READ I 10 Hidden Signs of Blocked Feminine Energy & How to Unblock It!
“Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown
In “Dare to Lead,” Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and storyteller, delves deep into the heart of leadership and self-confidence. This empowering book challenges conventional notions of leadership and inspires readers to embrace their authentic selves as they step into leadership roles.
With a blend of research, vulnerability, and storytelling, Brown offers invaluable lessons on courage, resilience, and the qualities that define exceptional leaders. “Dare to Lead” isn’t just about leading others; it’s about leading yourself with unwavering confidence, compassion, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Dive into this transformative confidence book and discover the power to lead with authenticity and self-assurance.
BUY HERE | “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown
“What I Know For Sure” by Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is the embodiment of confidence, and her book “What I Know For Sure” is a delightful journey through the wisdom she’s gathered on her remarkable life path. Through a collection of essays organized around themes like joy, resilience, gratitude, possibility, and power, Oprah shares her invaluable life lessons.
But this isn’t just a memoir; it’s a road map to becoming your best self. With Oprah as your guide, you’ll uncover the secrets to harnessing your inner strength, embracing joy, and confidently navigating life’s twists and turns. Get ready to embark on an inspiring adventure to discover what you, too, can know for sure about building unshakable self-confidence. Oprah’s got your back!
BUY HERE | “What I Know For Sure” by Oprah Winfrey
“Untamed” by Glennon Doyle
In her New York Times bestselling book, Untamed, Glennon Doyle reveals what it takes to live a wholehearted life. Drawing on her own experiences, she offers insights and guidance on everything from relationships and parenthood to friendship and career.
Doyle urges you to reject society’s expectations and instead follow your own instincts. She encourages to be brave and authentic, even when it’s difficult. Most importantly, she reminds you that you are not alone in their struggles.
Untamed is an empowering read for anyone who feels like they’re not living up to their full potential. It’s a reminder that it’s never too late to start living the life you really want.
BUY HERE | Untamed by Glennon Doyle
“Becoming” by Michelle Obama
Becoming” by Michelle Obama is a captivating exploration of leadership, self-confidence, and personal growth. In her candid narrative, the former First Lady shares the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned while navigating the complexities of leadership on the global stage.
With grace and authenticity, Michelle Obama’s journey inspires readers to embrace their own path, develop confidence in their abilities, and lead with unwavering determination. Discover the remarkable story of a leader who encourages others to become their best selves.
BUY HERE | “Becoming” by Michelle Obama
“You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero
Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life
If you’re tired of feeling down on yourself and want to start living an awesome life, then You Are a Badass is for you. Jen Sincero shows readers how to overcome self-doubt and start living with confidence.
She covers topics such as identifying and changing sabotaging beliefs, using positive affirmations, and taking action toward your goals. This book is full of practical advice that will inspire you to make positive changes in your life.
BUY HERE | You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Books on Self-Confidence for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Overcoming imposter syndrome is a critical step towards developing unwavering self-confidence. Dive into a collection of books on confidence that specialize in providing strategies and advice to conquer imposter syndrome and unleash your true potential. Explore how these resources can help you silence self-doubt and embrace your capabilities, all while enhancing your self-esteem.
“Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert, the acclaimed author behind bestsellers like “Eat, Pray, Love” and “City of Girls,” knocks it out of the park once again with “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear.” In this inspirational book on confidence tailored for creatives, Gilbert shares her unparalleled wisdom and perspective on the world of creativity and inspiration.
With her signature uplifting tone, she delves into the attitudes and habits that can help us lead our most creatively fulfilling lives. Gilbert’s message is clear: it’s time to uncover those “strange jewels” hidden within you and let your passions guide you fearlessly toward your dreams. Join Gilbert on this magical journey of self-discovery and creative empowerment.
BUY HERE | Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert
“The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown
In her confidence book, The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown explains that confidence is not about perfection.
It’s about having the courage to be vulnerable and to show up in our lives even when we’re not sure we’ll be successful.
Overcoming self-doubt requires us to take risks.
It’s essential to put ourselves out there and to embrace our imperfections.
“How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t” by Andrea Owen
How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t” by Andrea Owen is your passport to breaking free from self-sabotage. Discover the strategies to vanquish self-criticism, conquer self-doubt, and unleash your unapologetic self. This book is your ultimate ally on the journey to unstoppable confidence.
BUY HERE | How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t” by Andrea Owen
“The Pretty One” by Keah Brown
Through a deeply personal collection of essays, disability rights activist Keah fearlessly explores the intersection of disability and self-love in a society that often favors the able-bodied. Keah’s storytelling is a powerful celebration of authenticity.
This book on confidence is a declaration of confidence, a call to erase stigmas, and an invitation to embrace your true self. Join Keah on this transformative adventure, and discover the myriad reasons to fall in love with yourself.
“Women Who Think Too Much” by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema
How to Break Free of Overthinking and Reclaim Your Life
Are you a woman who sometimes feels like she’s stuck in her own head, obsessing over things that might happen or that she could have done differently? Trust me, you’re not the only one. In Women Who Think Too Much, psychologist Susan Nolen-Hoeksema offers readers practical advice on how to break free of overthinking and reclaim their lives.
She argues that overthinking is often fueled by anxiety and insecurity, and that women are especially prone to it due to cultural messages that encourage us to be perfect. The book explains strategies for quieting the critical voice in their heads, learning to accept themselves as they are, and making peace with their mistakes. In addition, she includes exercises throughout the book to help readers put these concepts into practice.
If you’re struggling with overthinking, this book can help you learn how to quiet your mind, accept yourself, and reclaim your life.
“Girl, Stop Apologizing” by Rachel Hollis
Dive into “Girl, Stop Apologizing” by Rachel Hollis and unleash your inner go-getter. This shame-free guide ignites confidence as it empowers you to embrace your dreams, set audacious goals, and conquer them fearlessly. Get ready to say goodbye to self-doubt and hello to your unstoppable self.
BUY HERE | “Girl, Stop Apologizing” by Rachel Hollis
Practical and Research-Based Books on Confidence
Explore the evidence-backed insights that shed light on the mechanics of confidence and the strategies to bolster it. These confidence books on confidence provide a solid foundation for understanding and developing unshakeable self-assurance, helping you navigate life’s challenges with a newfound sense of belief in yourself.
“Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges” by Amy Cuddy
Amy Cuddy’s “Presence” is your roadmap to summoning your boldest self when facing life’s grand challenges. Explore the science-backed strategies to exude confidence and make a lasting impact. Unleash your inner presence and conquer your biggest challenges with poise.
BUY HERE | Presence by Amy Cuddy
“The Confidence Code” by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
The Science and Art of Self-Assurance – What Women Should Know
The Confidence Code is by far one of my best confidence books to overcome self-doubt and build confidence. The book is based on the latest scientific research and provides concrete advice on how to build confidence.
The authors explain that confidence is not a personality trait but rather a skill that can be learned. They identify the four key components of confidence: self-efficacy, self-regard, optimism, and risk-taking. You get practical advice on how to develop each of these components.
The book also includes stories of successful women who have overcome self-doubt to achieve their goals.
These stories are inspiring and show that it is possible to develop confidence and achieve success.
Overall, this is an excellent book that provides valuable insights into the nature of confidence and how to develop it.
If you are looking for a way to boost your confidence, this is the book for you.
BUY HERE | The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
Ten Days to Self-Esteem by David D. Burns
In this book, Dr. Burns outlines a simple but effective program for improving your self-image and overcoming self-doubt.
Each day of the ten-day program focuses on a different aspect of self-esteem, such as learning to accept compliments or setting realistic goals. There are also exercises at the end of each chapter to help you put what you’ve learned into practice.
Whether you’re struggling with low self-esteem or just want to learn how to be more confident, Ten Days to Self-Esteem is an excellent resource. With its clear advice and practical exercises, this book will help you make lasting changes in the way you think about yourself.
BUY HERE | Ten Days to Self-Esteem by David D. Burns
“Confidence Hacks: 99 Small Actions to Massively Boost Your Confidence” by Barrie Davenport
Unlock the secrets of unshakable confidence with “Confidence Hacks” by Barrie Davenport. These 99 small yet mighty actions will catapult your self-assurance to new heights. Say goodbye to hesitation and hello to the confident you, one hack at a time.
BUY HERE | Confidence Hacks by Barrie Davenport
“The Power of Self-Confidence” by Brian Tracy
Be Unstoppable, Irresistible, and Unafraid in Every Area of Your Life
In his book The Power of Self Confidence, Brian Tracy provides readers with a step-by-step guide to building confidence and overcoming self-doubt. He starts by outlining the benefits of confidence, including improved decision making, increased productivity, and greater success in all areas of life. He then provides practical advice on how to develop self-confidence, including setting realistic goals, developing a positive mindset, and taking action towards your goals. Throughout the book, Tracy uses real-life examples to illustrate the power of self-confidence.
BUY HERE | The Power of Self-Confidence by Brian Tracy
“Mirror Work: 21 Days to Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay
Dive into “Mirror Work” by Louise Hay, the transformative journey to heal your life and boost your self-confidence. With this 21-day guide, you’ll harness the power of self-reflection and positive affirmations to build unshakeable self-assurance. Discover the magic of looking in the mirror and saying, “I love you” to the most important person in your life—yourself. Get ready to embark on a self-love adventure that will radiate confidence from within.
BUY HERE | Mirror Work: 21 Days to Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay
“The Confidence Gap” by Russ Harris
A Guide to Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt
In case you didn’t know, the confidence gap is real. It’s the space between where we are and want to be. Most of us want to be more confident than we are.
We want to feel better about ourselves, our abilities, and our choices. The problem is that fear and self-doubt can hold us back from achieving our goals and reaching our potential.
In The Confidence Gap, Russ Harris provides readers with a step-by-step guide to overcoming their fears and self-doubt. He begins by explaining what the confidence gap is and why it’s so difficult to overcome.
You can expect practical strategies for facing fears and building confidence. Throughout the book, Harris includes case studies and examples to illustrate his points.
The Confidence Gap is an essential read for anyone who wants to overcome their fears and self-doubt.
With Harris’s guidance, this book will teach you how to take risks, deal with failure, and ultimately achieve their goals.
The Six Pillars Of Self Esteem by Nathaniel Branden
The Six Pillars Of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden is the most practical book of the bunch. Branden offers six pillars that he believes are essential for developing healthy self-esteem.
The courage to be imperfect resonated the most with me.
This third pillar challenges you to embrace your imperfections and to strive for excellence anyway.
His golden advise: Show up in life even when you don’t feel like it, and do the best you can with what you have.
BUY HERE | The Six Pillars Of Self Esteem by Nathaniel Branden
“Get Out of Your Own Way” by Mark Goulston & Philip Goldberg
Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior
No matter how successful you are, there are always going to be times when you feel like you’re not good enough. That’s why it’s important to have a toolkit of resources to help you overcome self-doubt and build confidence.
One of the best books on this topic is “Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior” by Mark Goulston and Philip Goldberg. This book is full of practical advice on how to identify and change the self-defeating behaviors that hold you back.
If you’re looking for guidance helping you understand yourself better and give you concrete tools to overcome self-doubt, this is the book for you.
BUY HERE | Get Out of Your Own Way by Mark Goulston & Philip Goldberg
Unpacking the Factors Behind Low Confidence and Self-Esteem
It could be an ongoing issue, such as cultivating negative thoughts like you’re not good enough or that you don’t deserve good things in life. Or it might be a specific situation that has made you feel this way, such as a job interview or public speaking engagement.
Whatever the cause, a lack of confidence can have a negative impact on every area of your life. It can hold you back from pursuing your dreams and goals, and prevent you from enjoying life to the fullest.
Lack of Confidence vs. Low Self-Esteem
When we discuss confidence, we’re talking about believing in yourself and your abilities. On the other hand, self-esteem encompasses your overall sense of self-worth and personal value. Lack of confidence and self-esteem can be seen as two sides of the same coin – if you lack confidence in your ability to do something, your self-esteem will suffer as a result.
There are many different factors that can contribute to a lack of confidence and low self-esteem. It might be something that has happened in your past, such as being bullied or feeling like you never quite measured up to others.
Free Yoga Flows for gaining Confidence
robust physique is often mirrored by a robust mindset. I’m a firm believer in the transformative effect of physical activity on boosting self-assurance. For those keen on embarking on this empowering journey, I’ve curated a selection of my preferred yoga sequences that are accessible at no cost. These practices are designed to fortify both body and mind, and I’m excited to share them with you.
Yoga For Courage | 28-Minute Home Yoga
Confidence Boost Yoga – Yoga With Adriene
Yoga For Self Doubt | Yoga With Adriene
Conclusion: Your Journey with Books on Confidence
In conclusion, your self-worth is not defined by your past or external circumstances. It is a voyage of self-discovery and self-acceptance.
So, pick up one of these books on building confidence, and rediscover the confidence and self-esteem that have always resided within you.
Embrace the power of knowledge, discover your path, and unlock the wisdom within books to ignite your self-confidence and self-esteem. If you like this topic, make sure you read The Confident Woman: How to Channel Her.
FAQ’s on building Confidence and overcoming self-doubt
Self-esteem relates to your overall sense of self-worth and how you value yourself, while self-confidence is the belief in your abilities and your trust in your judgment and skills. Self-esteem is more about self-acceptance, while self-confidence is about believing in your capabilities.
Low self-esteem can be caused by negative self-talk, childhood experiences, comparison to others, media influence, failures, and a lack of support, among other factors, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. It often results from a combination of internal and external influences.
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) tapping is a self-help technique that involves tapping on specific meridian points on the body while focusing on a particular issue, such as anxiety, pain, or self-confidence, in order to release negative emotions and promote emotional healing. Personally I found it very helpful and recommend Tapping-expert and yogi Jennifer Partridge.
Try tapping for free I Increase Self Worth & Confidence with with Jennifer Partridge
The four pillars of self-confidence are often considered to be:
Self-Efficacy: This is the belief in your ability to achieve specific goals or tasks. It’s about having confidence in your skills and competence in a particular area.
Self-Image: Your self-image is how you perceive yourself. Positive self-image is essential for self-confidence. It involves feeling good about your physical appearance, personality, and who you are as a person.
Self-Worth: Self-worth is about recognizing your inherent value as a human being, regardless of external achievements or failures. It’s a foundational aspect of self-confidence.
Self-Respect: Self-respect involves treating yourself with kindness, dignity, and respect. It’s about setting healthy boundaries and not allowing others to undermine your self-esteem.
If you love reading these books on self-confidence, make sure you check out these blog posts:
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