“Nothing Bad Happened”: What Visibility Teaches Us About Confidence
From Psychologically Speaking with Leila Ainge by Decibelle Creative
February 2, 2026 · 44 min · Season 4 · Episode 51
About this episode
This episode explores the complexities of confidence during goal pursuit through the experiences of three creatives.
What actually happens to your confidence once you start pursuing a goal? In this episode of Psychologically Speaking , psychologist Leila Ainge checks back in with three creatives who set goals on the podcast weeks earlier, Graphic Designer Bhavini, Animator Duncan and Documentary Maker Dany. Instead of tidy success stories, you’ll hear what goal pursuit looks like in real life, confidence rising and dipping, perfectionism showing up, comparison creeping in, and plans changing shape. Through honest reflection and psychological insight, this episode explores why confidence doesn’t grow in a straight line, how visibility reduces fear over time, and why setbacks and pivots are often signs of progress rather than failure. If you’re navigating imposter feelings, struggling with comparison, or wondering why motivation feels inconsistent, this episode offers reassurance and a more realistic picture of change.
People in this episode
Host: Leila Ainge
Guests: Bhavini, Duncan, Dany
Topics covered
- confidence
- goal pursuit
- visibility
- perfectionism
- imposter feelings
- comparison
- motivation
Keywords
- confidence
- goal setting
- visibility
- perfectionism
- imposter syndrome
- motivation
- setbacks
More episodes of Psychologically Speaking with Leila Ainge
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- Why Does This Feel So Hard? | Imposter Phenomenon, Risk & the Psychology of Difficult Things · May 14, 2026 · 6 min
- 58. Your Whole Axis Shifts: What Grief Changes About Work and Life · April 21, 2026 · 55 min
- 57. Off the Beaten Path: Identity, Belonging & Building a Career That Actually Fits · April 14, 2026 · 48 min
- What if interviews don’t just reveal what we think… but actually change it? · April 11, 2026 · 11 min
- I Refuse to Hate Myself: Emma Seville on 'Starting Again' · April 7, 2026 · 58 min
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