The Confidence Gap: Why You’re More Ready Than You Think

If you’ve been feeling you are not ready or been waiting for a sign to finally go for it—consider this episode your neon flashing billboard.

Things talked about:

What is the confidence gap
Self reminders when feeling not ready
Three power moves you can implement

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Hey there friends of LL, and welcome back to The Lucy Liu Show. I’m LL, your host and confidence coach, here to help you cultivate unshakable self-belief and make bold moves.

Today, we’re tackling a topic that holds so many women back:

The Confidence Gap—the disconnect between how ready you actually are and how ready you feel you are.

Whether you’re considering launching a new business, applying for a promotion, or starting a podcast, whatever it is that you want, I want you to know this: you’re more ready than you think.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with a fresh perspective on your readiness, real data that proves you’re already equipped, and actionable tips to close the confidence gap once and for all.

So let’s dive in!

You know that moment when you read a job description and you think, “I only meet 70% of the qualifications—I’m not ready”? Well, studies show that men will apply for jobs if they meet just 60% of the requirements, while most women feel they need to meet 100% before they even consider applying.

That, my friend, is the confidence gap in action.

But here’s the thing:
✅ Your qualifications, skills, and experience are real.
✅ Your self-doubt? That’s a story.
And it’s time to stop letting fiction dictate your future.

The confidence gap shows up beyond job applications, too.

You might be waiting until you feel “expert enough” before pitching your ideas or creating content.
You might hesitate to raise your rates or ask for what you’re worth or ask for a promotion because you feel you need just one more certification or accomplishment.
You might be holding back from sharing your story or message until you feel fully polished.

But here’s the truth: Your competence isn’t the issue—your perception of it is.

Let me hit you with some tough love: You’re never going to feel 100% ready. And that’s okay. Because readiness isn’t a feeling—readiness is a decision.

Think about it:

You didn’t feel fully ready the first time you drove a car, but you just got in the car and did it anyway.
You didn’t feel totally prepared the first time you led a meeting, but you showed up and figured it out.
You weren’t sure you were ready for some of the boldest moves you’ve made—but looking back, you were more capable than you gave yourself credit for.
In hindsight, when people say Lucy you made some bold moves! I’m like what? I didn’t even think they were bold moves at the time, I just did it.

Your brain is wired for safety. It wants to protect you from risk, protect you from rejection, and protect you from discomfort.

But growth? Growth lives in the discomfort zone and the feeling after growth is amazing!

Here’s what I want you to remember:

You’ve already proven yourself. Think of three times you did something before you felt fully ready. You didn’t just survive—you crushed it.
Perfection is not the prerequisite. No one expects you to be flawless. They expect you to be real. Start messy and let mastery follow. Everytime I make a grammar mistake or I start thinking “oh I should have said that instead” that’s exactly when I immediately shift my mindset and say I sure hope that mistake inspires someone out there to go for it.
You can not learn confidence from the sidelines. You build it by stepping into the arena. Action first, confidence second.

So, how do you close the confidence gap once and for all? Here are three power moves you can implement today:

1. Embrace the “Good Enough” Rule:
Instead of aiming for perfect, aim for good enough to start. Research shows that people who take action before they feel fully ready build confidence faster.
Ask yourself: “What if I’m already ready? What if I just go for it and figure it out along the way?”

2. Borrow Belief:
If you struggle to see how capable you are, borrow the belief from people who already do. Whether it’s a friend, coach, or mentor—listen when they tell you, “You’ve got this.” Let their belief carry you until yours catches up. I always say this to my clients: “I believe you more than you believe it yourself!” It’s true, my belief for you to success is much more unwavering and that’s why I am confident to coach you.

3. Do It Scared:
The fear won’t disappear before you take action—it disappears because you take action. Make the bold move despite the self-doubt. You’ll realize you were far more ready than you gave yourself credit for.

Alright ,my friend, I hope you’re walking away with one powerful realization: You are more ready than you think.

While I love courses to learn and grow myself. You actually don’t need more courses, more certifications, or years of experience.

You need more action.

If this episode resonated with you, do me a favor: share it with one woman in your life who needs this reminder today. And if you haven’t already, hit subscribe so you never miss an episode that boosts your confidence and fuels your bold moves.

Until next week —keep showing up, even if you’re scared. You’ve got this.

P.S. If you’re ready to build unshakable confidence, grab the first 10 chapters of my book, Confident and epic, for free.