Not many people are born confident, whereas everyone has self-doubts. The general sense of anxiety about our worth, skills, abilities, and value as a person is harmful to our physical, mental, and emotional states or, in other words, to our holistic wellbeing. Insecurities bleed into different aspects of our lives, preventing us from reaching our full potential. And so, the aphorism “a little confidence goes a long way,” holds great weight.

The topic of insecurity is broad and there is no one-size-fits-all solution since all of us have our unique circumstances and experiences. The foremost step is to look inward and try to see what causes your uneasiness.

A common and considerable blow to our amour proper is when we fail at achieving a goal or attaining what we want. One possible solution is to shift one’s perspective of such failure from an obstacle into an opportunity. New York Times bestselling author and performance coach

Tony Robbins once wrote that to overcome diffidence, you have to face your feelings, challenge your limiting beliefs, stop perfectionism, and adopt a growth mindset. Again, however, each of us has different contexts and backgrounds.

If you find it hard to arrive at the root of your insecurity, consider reaching out to a mental health professional. Otherwise, reading self-help books may aid with your inward perspective. Texts like The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson or The 7 Habits of Highly Effective

People by Steven R. Covey contain tips on feeling more secure. Advice ranges from accepting what you cannot change to being forgiving of yourself, developing social skills, and seeking professional help from therapists. Of course, for these counsels to really work, readers must take them to heart.

An interesting way to fully absorb the lessons from self-support titles is through the concept of lectio divina, meaning “divine reading,” where one reads each sentence and word slowly enough for it to sink in. You internalize the text over and over until it reaches the far corners of your head and you apply it to your behavior.

In modern times, beauty labels are promoting more realistic standards and are advocating for more self-acceptance. Carrying out its mission to uplift the Filipino’s self-esteem, Colgate mounted the “Shine In Your Moment” event, which introduced the hygiene brand’s latest product, the Fresh Confidence White Blast. Some of the company’s top brass were in attendance that evening, namely Colgate-Palmolive’s marketing director for oral care Nica Whang, general manager Angel Qi, and senior marketing director Anish Agarwal. The dazzling guests, meanwhile, included local influencers, media practitioners, and entertainment stars, some of whom shared their radiant moments of struggle with and triumph over insecurities.

Before [Encantadia], I faced numerous rejections during auditions and VTRs. Instead of getting discouraged by these experiences, I used them to toughen myself. So finally, when I got that spotlight moment during the audition, I really grabbed the chance to step up. I really shone, thanks to my acting skills, my smile, and my confidence. —Gabbi Garcia, actress, global endorser, host, and vlogger.

[I have] stage fright, which intensifies a few minutes before going to the stage. What helps is to remind myself of all the little things I do daily to prepare myself for [the day, such as] practicing, vlogging, [and] doing live. There is power in believing in yourself. The moment I approach the mic, it’s like I go on autopilot, and the worries turn to total enjoyment. —Benedict Cua, singer, actor, and model.

During the TikTok Awards 2023, I was invited kasi ako yung magpe-present ng award for Popular Creator of the Year, pero hindi ko inexpect na pati pala ako may award ( I was to present the award for Popular Creator of the Year. I didn’t think that I, too, would be given an award). I was surprised to know that I was the TikTok Creator of the Year. [...] So despite feeling surprised and overwhelmed, I reminded myself of all the people who helped me get to this point. They are the ones who give me the confidence to always step up and make meaningful content. That thought helped push me to shine in that moment on stage. —Arshie Larga, TikTok sensation.

No matter how confident you are, there will be times you will doubt yourself, just like when I had to share some advice with younger talents at the Star Magic Prom. Despite feeling nervous, I stepped up and powered through by being myself and giving authentic advice. —Francine Diaz, actress and model

Find motivation to improve your craft. I found my [drive] when I participated in an international reality competition program for dancing. In one of the rounds, I got a special mention from Jennifer Lopez. She said I really slayed the choreo. —Sophia Alexandra Mercado, dancer, KAIA member

When it comes to shining in one’s moment, these luminaries bring truth to the saying that confidence can take one a long, long way. To further improve your poise, having a strong support system and taking care of your health are crucial. Being happy with your physical fitness is also important, which is why Fresh Confidence White Blast was produced. The toothpaste, with its cooling crystals and “level up whiteners,” whitens teeth in as early as two weeks.

If you can smile through anything, you can go through anything, and the more you do, the more confident you become.