Okay you showed up, you tried... and it didn't go as planned. What next? Building confidence after failure

We've all been there. You pitch an idea, run a meeting, lead a project, or try something new, and it doesn't go the way you imagined. Maybe your plan gets postponed, maybe the discussion feels flat, maybe you put a lot of thought and energy into something and the response is quieter than you hoped.

For me, it happened recently. I planned a new workshop as part of a partnership and I was really excited about it. I even caught myself imagining what I would do if it sold out, thinking about possible dates for a second one.

But... two people signed up, and on the day, only one person turned up.

Let's chat about confidence after failure. It might feel like a failure, but to that one person, it isn't. They made the effort to be there, to give their time and attention. To dismiss that is actually disrespectful. One person showing up is still impact, still connection, still progress.

Even if no one had come, I'd still have learned something from the process. It wouldn't have been the outcome I wanted, but it wouldn't have been a failure either. In this case, someone did show up, and that deserves attention (and I'm absolutely counting it as a win for my small wins jar).

Confidence isn't about packed rooms or perfect outcomes. It's about showing up fully, even when the situation is smaller or quieter than you expected. It's about delivering value in that moment, staying grounded, and learning from it.

So what do you do when it happens?

Notice it without judgement.

One person, a quiet meeting, a project that stalls - acknowledge it and move on. You still acted and you still tried. that's progress

Look for what worked

Even in that small "flop" situation, there's insight. Maybe your idea sparked one meaningful conversation, maybe you noticed how people respond to certain questions, maybe you discovered something about timing, communication, or how you present yourself. That's all data and it's valuable.

Reflect and adapt

What went well? And what didn't? What would you do differently next time? Be specific, but kind to yourself.

Decide the next step

You don't need the perfect numbers or a flawless outcome to keep building momentum.  Get back up. Start again. Try a different angle, invite different people, or even repeat the same action. Each time you try something, you learn something.

Confidence is not about filling the room, it's about being steady even when the room is small. It's about showing up, learning and moving forward. So yes.. sometimes it's just one person. Sometimes your plan doesn't .. go to plan.. but that moment can still carry value and that's the exact kind of experience that builds sustainable confidence.

If you want support with building your confidence, preparing for interviews or finding clarity in your career direction, get in touch.

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