All I want for Christmas is Confidence

The holidays are here—twinkling lights, festive music, and that special magic that seems to fill the air. For me, this time of year is all about family, traditions, and the little moments that make life feel special.

Take my daughter, Harper, for example. She’s pretty much Buddy the Elf in miniature form. Every morning, she wakes up brimming with excitement to find our Elf on the Shelf, whom she named Miss Frazzle. Watching her wide-eyed wonder fills my heart with sparkles and reminds me of the joy and magic we can experience when we let ourselves believe in something special.

But as magical as this season can be, I know it also comes with its fair share of overwhelm—especially for high-achieving women who are trying to do it all. Between holiday prep, work responsibilities, and the never-ending to-do list, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling short.

This year, I want to challenge you to think about the most meaningful gift you could give yourself.

What if you gave yourself the gift of confidence?

Confidence isn’t just about feeling good at the moment—it’s about transforming how you show up in your life. It’s the key to:

• Asking for that promotion or raise without second-guessing yourself.
• Setting boundaries without guilt.
• Pursuing the dreams you’ve been putting off for “someday.”

But here’s the thing: Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build, little by little, through intentional actions and mindset shifts.

Recently, I was recording a lesson for my Freedom from Imposter Syndrome course, and I found myself tearing up. I thought about all the incredible women I’ve met this year—clients, keynote attendees, and leaders—who have shared their stories with me. These women are smart, capable, and hardworking, yet they struggle with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the fear of not being enough.

Their stories remind me of my own journey. For years, I chased external accomplishments, thinking they’d finally make me feel like I belonged. I worked tirelessly, climbed the ranks, and even earned a VP title—but deep down, I still questioned whether I was truly “good enough.”

Pursuing the dreams you’vebeen putting off for “someday.”

It wasn’t until I started working on my confidence from the inside out that things began to shift. I stopped seeking validation from others and started trusting in my own worth. And let me tell you—confidence has been the most transformative gift I’ve ever given myself.

Research backs this up. Studies show that confidence plays a significant role in career advancement, leadership effectiveness, and overall well-being. A study by Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, a leading researcher on confidence and competence, found that while skills and competence matter, confidence is often the deciding factor in how people are perceived and promoted.

Confidence also has a ripple effect. When you believe in yourself, you inspire those around you to do the same. It’s like a domino effect—your energy, presence, and belief in your abilities create a positive environment where others feel safe and empowered.

If you’re like most high-achieving women I work with, you probably feel the pressure to excel in every area of your life—career, family, friendships, self-care (if there’s time for it). You may even feel guilty when you fall short or wonder why it seems so much easier for everyone else.

I know this feeling all too well. There were years when I thought I had to manage everyone’s emotions, keep the peace, and be everything to everyone. But the truth is, constantly putting others first at the expense of your own well-being isn’t sustainable.

Confidence helps you break that cycle. It allows you to say no when something doesn’t align with your values, to ask for help without feeling weak, and to set boundaries that protect your time and energy.

I recently went live with the incredible Elyse Conroy, a fellow confidence coach who helps women quit their jobs with confidence and create lives they love. We talked about psychological safety, confidence, and the subtle ways we hold ourselves back by playing small.

One of the things that stuck with me from our conversation was how powerful it is to show up authentically and own your space—whether it’s in a boardroom, a family gathering, or even a virtual meeting. Confidence isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being present and believing that you’re enough.

If you missed the live, I’d be happy to share the full talk with you—just email me at kasi@kasilacey.com!

Confidence doesn’t happen overnight, but here are a few small steps you can take to start building it today:

Celebrate Your Wins: Write down three things you accomplished today—no matter how small.

Change Your Language: Replace phrases like “I think” or “I’m not sure” with more confident statements like “I believe” or “My recommendation is.”

Practice Power Poses: Spend two minutes standing tall, shoulders back, and head high before a meeting or presentation. Studies show this can boost your confidence levels.

Reflect on Your Values: What matters most to you? Use your values as a guide for saying yes—or no—to opportunities.

As I watch Harper’s excitement over Miss Frazzle and the magic of the holidays, I’m reminded of how much joy and wonder we can create when we believe in something—even ourselves.

This year, I encourage you to give yourself the gift of confidence. It’s a gift that will keep on giving, helping you show up fully in your life and pursue the dreams that matter most to you.

You deserve it.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

If this resonates with you, let’s connect! I’d love to hear your thoughts or share more about the resources I’ve created to help women step into their confidence. You can find my free 5-Minute Confidence Boost on sidebar of Blog or homepage.

Here’s to believing in yourself this holiday season—and always.

With gratitude and sparkles,

Dr. Kasi Lacey 🎄