In this episode, I focus on confidence, particularly the kind of confidence that often dips in mid-career.
In the previous episode, I talked about invisible career scripts. The quiet assumptions we pick up about how work should look, such as playing it safe, sticking with what’s worked before, or keeping your head down and getting on with it. These messages are often sensible and well intentioned, but over time they can shape our choices without us realising.
I also shared how writing can help you step back and notice those scripts, rather than staying caught up inside them.
Today’s episode starts with what often comes next.
That moment when you begin to see things differently, but your confidence hasn’t quite caught up.
You realise you’ve been following an invisible script. You sense that something may need to change, or that another direction might suit you better. And yet, doubts creep in about whether you’re capable of doing something different.
This gap, between insight and confidence, is a very common place to be in mid-career.
You might be contemplating a change, stepping into something unfamiliar, or moving into a space where you no longer feel like the expert in the room. Even though nothing fundamental about your ability has changed, confidence can dip at exactly this point.
Part of this comes down to how the human brain works.
We have a strong negativity bias. We are very good at remembering mistakes, awkward moments, and risks associated with change. At the same time, we are surprisingly bad at holding on to our wins and carrying forward our strengths into an imagined future.
As a result, many people end up living in what’s sometimes called “the gap”, measuring themselves against an ideal future version and feeling they fall short.
The truth is, confidence usually doesn’t fade because something is missing. It fades because we stop trusting the evidence of what we already bring.
This is where writing can help again.
I share a simple but powerful practice I call The Highlight Reel, designed to collect evidence of your capability.
Here’s how it works:
Think of a recent moment at work where you felt proud, energised, or most like yourself.
This could be a conversation, a decision, a piece of work, or a moment where someone relied on you.
Write down what happened, briefly.
Then add this phrase and complete the sentence:
“This shows me that I…”
For example:
“This shows me that I bring steadiness to pressured situations.”
“This shows me that I can explain complex things clearly.”
“This shows me that people trust my judgement.”
What you’re doing here is turning a vague memory into evidence. Not evidence for anyone else, but evidence you can trust.
One reason confidence feels fragile in mid-career is that it’s often tied to role, title, or organisation. Moving away from these can feel vulnerable.
More lasting confidence comes from knowing what you bring because you’ve taken time to notice it and make sense of it.
You can deepen this exercise by asking one more question:
Where else might this quality be useful?
This helps you carry confidence forward, rather than leaving it tied to one role or context.
Over time, this becomes a personal record of capability, built from real experience.
If your confidence has taken a knock recently, try this exercise a few times over the next week. You don’t need many entries, just enough to remind yourself of what’s already there.
If this resonates, my book Write Your Career is built around this kind of reflective work. It offers practical writing tools to help you think clearly, build confidence, and shape your next steps.
You can download the first chapter for free and find out more here:
https://www.bravocoaching.co.uk/books
In the next episode, I’ll turn to the future and share a simple framework for thinking about what comes next, without needing certainty, using the Three Horizons.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time.