Confidence Building Resources

Been through the Confidence Recovery Roadmap and want some more resources and inspiration to rebuild? Following are a collection of recommended books and movies to continue your rebuild.

Books focused on mindset and self-perception 

  • Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck: Introduces the concepts of fixed versus growth mindsets and explains how adopting a growth mindset can significantly increase confidence and resilience.
  • Daring Greatly by Brené Brown: Explores the link between vulnerability and courage, arguing that embracing vulnerability is essential for wholehearted living and building confidence.
  • The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden: Provides a foundational program for understanding and building self-esteem, often recommended as a key text in the field. 

Anything by Carol Dweck and Brene Brown will be massively helpful.

Books with a focus on action and practical techniques 

  • Mind Your Mindset by Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt Miller:  teaches you how to change your thoughts in order to make the changes you want in your life, along with the science behind how to make those changes last!
  • Unfuk Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Lifeby Gary John Bishop: Offers a no-nonsense approach with strategies to combat negative self-talk and take control of your life.
  • Ten Days to Self-Esteem by David Burns: A practical, evidence-based guide that uses cognitive techniques to help readers build self-belief.
  • The Self-Esteem Workbook by Glenn Schiraldi and The Self-Confidence Workbook by Barbara Markway: These workbooks provide guided exercises and activities to help you actively rebuild your confidence.
  • Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges by Amy Cuddy: Focuses on how to project confidence even when you don’t feel it, providing techniques for finding your boldest self in challenging situations. 

Movies based on true stories

  • The Pursuit of Happyness: Follows a man’s journey to overcome homelessness and build a better life through determination and hard work.
  • Hidden Figures: Highlights the story of three brilliant African-American women who were instrumental to NASA’s success, showcasing resilience and intelligence in the face of discrimination.
  • The Blind Side: A story about a high school football player who is taken in by a wealthy family, demonstrating how support can help someone find their potential. 

Movies overcoming personal challenges

  • Good Will Hunting: A janitor with a hidden genius must overcome his self-doubt and past trauma with the help of a therapist to fulfill his potential.
  • The Shawshank Redemption: Depicts a man’s enduring hope and perseverance while wrongly imprisoned, and how he finds inner freedom and inspires others.
  • The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: A man escapes his mundane life by venturing into the real world, finding his own courage and self-belief along the way. 

Sports and teamwork movies

  • Remember the Titans: A newly integrated high school football team learns to overcome prejudice and build unity, ultimately leading them to success.
  • Coach Carter: A high school basketball coach instills discipline and the importance of education in his players, changing the trajectory of their lives. 

Animated and heart-warming movies

  • Moana: A young woman proves her strength and ability by undertaking a perilous journey to save her people, learning to trust her own instincts.