Adult Dyslexics.. Not Feeling Confident - Do This...

Do you ever feel your confidence wavers when you’re trying something new? Especially if you’re juggling dyslexia in your everyday life? In this episode, we dive into why many adult dyslexics struggle to believe in themselves. We’ll explore how a small shift in perspective can make a huge difference to how you see your own abilities.

We also look at the root causes of these confidence challenges. It’s easy to get stuck in your comfort zone when you’re worried about failing. But this podcast breaks down how playing it “safe” isn’t always best, and how embracing your unique mind can spark real growth.

Confidence: A Different Perspective

Most of us think of confidence as something we either have or don’t have. If we lack it, we fool ourselves into believing we’re doomed to stay stuck. But what if confidence was more like a muscle than a personality trait?

In the podcast, we talk about the idea that doubt might not be the enemy; it can simply be a sign you’re stepping out of your usual patterns. Dyslexia can add extra layers of worry or fear, yet it can also be an asset once you know how to work with it.

“Confidence is the number one challenge for adult dyslexics, it keeps us stuck, but what if we’re just looking at it from the wrong angle?”

This fresh angle suggests you start with awareness rather than trying to magically appear full of self-belief. Recognise that moments of uncertainty can signal growth, and that your mind thrives when it’s allowed to do things differently.

The Power of Mindset

Your mindset shapes how you handle the outside world. If you assume something's too hard, you might not even start. But if you view hard tasks through a lens of curiosity, you’ll find them easier to tackle.

Consider breaking down tasks into small steps. Dyslexic minds sometimes love to jump ahead or daydream about the end result. Yet focusing on one chunk at a time can make your goals feel more achievable.

Once you notice your potential, your mindset naturally shifts. You realise you’re capable, in spite of the days where letters swim across the page or your thoughts seem tangled. Mindset doesn’t come from reading a motivational quote. It often grows from seeing yourself triumph, even in the smallest of ways.

Reframing Past Failures

If you’ve ever told yourself, “I failed because I’m not good enough,” you’re not alone. Dyslexia can leave us with a string of memories where our best wasn’t seen or valued. The trouble is that we let these stories define what we can and can’t do.

Yet failure can be reframed. It’s a chance to learn what didn’t work. Maybe you needed a different approach or more clarity. Perhaps you were exhausted that day.

When you collect these experiences like a toolkit instead of a list of reasons you’ll never succeed, your brain starts to see patterns. You begin to sense that if you change one or two things, you can get a different outcome next time.

Action Over Perfection

Many of us wait until we feel 100 percent ready before we take the leap. We fear making mistakes, stumbling on words, or revealing our dyslexia to others. This can be a big obstacle to progress, since it keeps you in your comfort zone.

Action, even if it’s two steps forward and one step back, can be the fastest way to build real confidence. You discover that even if you mess up, the sky doesn’t fall. In fact, you often learn more from those messy moments than from your seamless successes.

Try doing something slightly out of your comfort zone each day. It can be as small as speaking up at work or sending that email you’ve been holding back.

Practical Ways to Boost Confidence

Building confidence isn’t just a nice idea. It takes practice, especially when dyslexia is in the mix. Below are a few ways to make it happen.

• Recognise small wins: Did you write a clear to-do list today, or speak up in a meeting once? These small moments add up.
• Build a supportive environment: Surround yourself with people who understand dyslexia. Even one or two friends who get it can shift how you feel.
• Be kind to yourself: Notice when that harsh inner critic pipes up. Quiet it by reminding yourself you’re capable of growth.
• Fake it until you make it: Sometimes you only need to appear confident for a moment. Once you act the part, the real feeling often follows.

As you try these steps, remember that real change doesn’t happen overnight. Dyslexic or not, no one feels brave every day. But noticing your internal stories and choosing a new response is the key to lasting shifts in how you see yourself.

• Confidence is more skill than luck
• Mindset matters as much as effort
• Your past “failures” can be valuable lessons
• Action trumps overthinking
• Surround yourself with empathy and support

If you found these ideas helpful, you’ll love hearing the full podcast at the top of this page. We delve deeper into confidence-building techniques, share real stories, and explore how you can rewire your own expectations. Give it a listen, and let me know what resonates most with you.