Confidence, self-doubt and the power of centering

Self - doubt is one of the biggest hidden elements of confidence. It can quickly activate the amygdala, and cut off oxygen to the prefrontal cortex—essentially shutting down the very part of the brain we rely on to think clearly.

We’ve all been there—the heart races, the mind blanks, panic takes over. But the moment we start noticing these signals, we give ourselves a chance to take back control.

So, what are the in-the-moment strategies to center yourself—before self-doubt spirals into fully shutting down your ability to think clearly?

Here’s a strategy I developed long before I knew the science behind it.

As a school student, we had written exams where we could choose which questions to answer first. I learned, through trial and error, that starting with the hardest questions would trigger anxiety.

 I’d go blank.

 And worse—I’d forget the answers to even the easiest questions.

But when I started with what I knew well, something shifted.

✅ My body calmed.

 ✅ My confidence built gradually.

 ✅ My brain came back online.

By the time I reached the harder questions, I was often able to make sense of them, integrate what I had learned, and respond with clarity.

That early lesson stayed with me.

Even now, I return to a version of that practice:

✅ Start where you feel strong

 ✅ Breathe to center yourself

 ✅ Park the uncertainty—don’t let it block your momentum

These aren’t just test-taking strategies—they’re confidence-building principles for life.

So let me ask you:

 What do you do in the moment to find your center when self-doubt kicks in?