Context, Comparison & Choices: Confidence Building Strategies for High Performers
Confidence isn’t something you just have. It appears as quickly as it fades away. And in high performance, confidence isn’t optional if you want to reach your potential. It’s the silent fuel behind every bold decision, every time you have to bounce back from adversity, and every occasion when you stand up and show up even if you’d rather not get out of bed.
So how do you build it? Let me break down three confidence building strategies that’ve helped me stand tall—on and off the diving board.
🕵🏽♂️ 1. Context is Everything (Don’t Ignore It, Don’t Excuse It)
When we underperform, we often go straight to self-blame. But context always matters. I’m not saying we can just use it as an excuse—but ignoring the environment you’re operating in is like judging a Formula 1 driver by how fast they can go in a shop car park.
Let’s, for example, say your training isn’t clicking. Are you injured but keeping it hidden? Struggling to get enough sleep? Overwhelmed with life outside of sport? That all matters, and by identifying the cause of the issue, rather than just accepting the consequences, you can get back on track sooner than later.
There was a time I felt my confidence dipping, and I couldn’t figure out why. Turns out, I was mentally drained from an intense travel schedule, I hadn’t had a full weekend at home in months, and I was expecting Olympic-standard performances on a daily basis. You’ve got to zoom out and see the bigger picture before you judge yourself.
🔑 Key takeaways:
Be honest about what’s going on around you—it helps you respond, not just react.
Low performance doesn’t always mean low ability. Context reveals the truth.
You can’t control every variable, but you can adjust your expectations and strategy.
🧍🏽♂️ 2. Compare You… To You
Let me be clear with you: comparison is confidence kryptonite. Comparison is rife on social media because everyone posts their highlights only. And in sport, it’s baked into the system—rankings, scores, selections. But if your self-worth is tied to where you stand against others, you’re always going to feel “behind.”
I had to learn this the hard way. I trained alongside some of the best divers in the world day-in-day-out and thought, “Why can’t I be as good, why can’t I be as consistent?” Eventually, I realised—they aren’t me. Different journeys, different bodies, different battles. I was actually doing very well and right on track for what I needed.
The only fair comparison is you vs. your last rep. If you’re 1% better than you were last week, you’re doing just fine.
🔑 Key takeaways:
Track your own progress. No one else lives your life or trains in your shoes.
Admire others—sure. But don’t let their path distract you from your own.
Celebrate small wins. They stack up, and they matter more than you think.
🔮 3. Trust Your Choices (Even If You Might Get It Wrong)
No one is a perfect 10/10 every day. You’re going to make decisions that flop like a dive gone wrong. But confidence is not about being right all the time. It’s about backing yourself even when you don’t know for sure.
When I moved to Edinburgh, I didn’t have a clue whether it would work. I just knew I couldn’t stay where I was. That leap into uncertainty taught me more than any perfect plan ever could.
And when I decided to retire from diving… I knew deep down it was right. Scary, yes. Uncertain, absolutely. But that self-trust in my decision is confidence in action.
🔑 Key takeaways:
Own your decisions, they don’t have to be perfect—they just have to be yours.
When it goes wrong, you learn. When it goes right, you fly.
Self-trust isn’t built in comfort. It’s forged in the fire of uncertainty.
🎯 Conclusion: Confidence is a Skill—Not a Personality Trait
Confidence isn’t just for the extroverts, the medal winners, or the people who’ve “made it.” It’s built in the grind. In the decisions no one sees. In the moments where you show up even when you’re not sure you can.
Context helps you understand yourself. Comparison keeps you grounded. And self-trust gives you power.
And here’s the truth: Confidence and self-belief are soulmates. When you build confidence with intention, self-belief becomes the natural next step. You stop asking for permission—and start creating your path.
Now it’s your turn.
👉 Comment below with the confidence strategy that’s helped you most.
👥 Share this with someone who needs a reminder of their power.
💬 And let me know what topic you want me to cover next.