What If Confidence Isn’t a Gift….
……but a Skill You Could Master?
In an age marked by heightened self-awareness, social comparisons, and increasing personal and professional demands, the concept of confidence remains elusive for many.
Enter Diana Rogers Jaeger, an accomplished speaker, consultant, and author, whose book “Let Go of the Rope: Create Unlimited Confidence in 3 Simple Steps” challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh, practical approach to building confidence.
Contrary to popular belief, Rogers Jaeger argues that confidence is not an inherent trait but something cultivated through deliberate actions, self-reflection, and, most importantly, courage.
Rogers Jaeger’s philosophy is simple: Confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you create. Her book is more than just a guide—it’s a call to action.
Through authentic storytelling, practical exercises, and thought-provoking reflection points, she takes readers on a transformative journey that leaves them equipped not only to embrace self-assuredness but to sustain it over time.
The Seed of Confidence: A Personal Story
Rogers Jaeger’s journey toward understanding and creating confidence began early. “I got my first big taste of confidence when my father coached me as I learned to rock climb at the age of nine,” she recalls.
As a small, skinny girl in a large family and having endured some childhood trauma, she saw herself as weak and incapable of overcoming physically demanding challenges. The prospect of scaling a 70-foot rock face seemed insurmountable.
But her father believed in her and guided her step by step, teaching her how to harness the strength in her legs and, crucially, how to let go—literally and metaphorically—of the fear of falling.
After several attempts and many falls, Rogers Jaeger reached the top. It wasn’t the physical achievement that mattered most—it was the shift in her perception of herself.
“When I made it to the top, I realized that I am strong and capable. I thought, ‘If I can do that, what other hard things can I do?’”
This experience became the cornerstone of her belief in creating confidence through action. Rogers Jaeger didn’t just overcome her fear; she redefined her self-image and laid the foundation for a lifetime of pursuing audacious goals.
Confidence as a Superpower
In today’s world, confidence is often viewed as a rare commodity, and those who possess it are seen as having a distinct advantage in both personal and professional spheres. Rogers Jaeger insists that confidence isn’t some magical trait reserved for the lucky few but is accessible to everyone. Her own life offers a testament to this truth.
One of the most significant risks Rogers Jaeger took was starting her own business, Love To Appreciate Consulting. “I credit my confidence with giving me the courage to take a big leap of faith,” she explains.
She knew she had the skills, work ethic, and insight to solve a pressing issue—employee engagement and retention. By trusting in her abilities, she created a company that transforms workplaces, making them conducive to both business success and employee well-being.
The decision to strike out on her own didn’t just enhance her career; it also allowed her to prioritize quality time with her children, aligning her work with her personal values.
“Confidence has enabled me to live life on my own terms,” Rogers Jaeger notes. This alignment between personal and professional goals is one of the key messages in her book: When you cultivate confidence, you can take risks, navigate setbacks, and ultimately build a life that reflects your values and aspirations.
The Power of Reflection: A Key Exercise
A standout feature of “Let Go of the Rope” is its emphasis on self-reflection as a vehicle for building confidence. One of the exercises Rogers Jaeger highlights is the “Create a Success List” activity.
The idea is simple: Write down three or more accomplishments in various areas of your life—whether personal, professional, or hobby-related. By revisiting past successes, people are reminded of their abilities, resilience, and the unique qualities that helped them achieve those milestones.
“I shared this exercise with someone who remembered how she overcame a speech impediment as a child,” Rogers Jaeger recalls. “She immediately felt more confident that she would be successful in her new job.”
This exercise is emblematic of Rogers Jaeger’s approach—grounded in the belief that confidence is built through acknowledging our past wins, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
The exercise also underscores the importance of pausing and reflecting in a fast-paced world that often pushes us toward the next challenge without recognizing how far we’ve already come.
For Rogers Jaeger, confidence isn’t about bravado or constant forward motion—it’s about deeply understanding who you are and what you’ve already accomplished.
Clarity: The Foundation of Confidence in the Workplace
Beyond personal development, Rogers Jaeger’s strategies translate powerfully to the workplace. Through her consulting firm, she specializes in leadership development and employee engagement, using the principles in her book to help individuals and organizations thrive. At the core of her approach is the idea of clarity—understanding one’s values, strengths, and purpose.
She recounts coaching an executive preparing for her first CEO role:
“By helping her gain clarity about her leadership style and track record, she stopped doubting herself. Instead, she felt excited and empowered to achieve her vision.”
This transformation illustrates how confidence, grounded in self-awareness and clarity, enables people to rise above external expectations and pursue their goals with conviction.
Rogers Jaeger’s belief is clear: A confident person in the workplace is not derailed by risk or rejection. “The opposite of fear is clear,” she asserts. When you know who you are and what you stand for, fear loses its power.
This insight is particularly relevant in a world where professional environments are increasingly uncertain and dynamic. The more you ground yourself in clarity, the less you’ll be swayed by shifting circumstances.
Building Confidence in Women and Girls
Rogers Jaeger’s commitment to fostering confidence in women and girls is evident in her longstanding involvement with the Girl Scouts. Her experiences as a troop leader reaffirmed her belief that confidence can be created, even in the face of self-doubt.
She vividly remembers girls who, through seemingly small achievements—like climbing a tree or selling cookies to a stranger—began to see themselves in a new light.
“My time in Girl Scouts inspired me to want to help as many girls and women as possible learn how to create confidence for themselves,” Jaeger explains.
This mission is particularly poignant given the struggles many women face, from body image concerns to societal pressures to perform.
“Confidence is a superpower,” she adds, “and the world would be a better place if we all lived life with confidence.”
Rogers Jaeger’s work aligns with broader research highlighting the critical role confidence plays in mental health, career success, and overall well-being.
Low self-esteem and confidence issues are pervasive, affecting people across demographics and contributing to anxiety, depression, and diminished life satisfaction. By equipping women and girls with tools to create confidence, Rogers Jaeger is tackling these challenges head-on, offering them a path to a more empowered and fulfilling life.
The Ripple Effect of Confidence
“Let Go of the Rope” is not just a book—it’s a movement. By distilling the process of building confidence into three actionable steps, Rogers Jaeger has made it accessible to anyone willing to do the work.
Through her own story and those of others, she illustrates that confidence isn’t about perfection or fearlessness; it’s about courage, clarity, and consistent action.
Ultimately, Rogers Jaeger’s message is one of empowerment. Confidence is not a finite resource. Once you learn how to create it, you can never run out. It becomes woven into the fabric of who you are and how you show up in the world.
For those ready to embark on their own journey, “Let Go of the Rope” offers not just hope but a practical roadmap to unlocking unlimited confidence—one step, one reflection, and one courageous action at a time.
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Thanks for this. I agree that people are not born self-confident. But not everyone needs to take affirmative steps to achieve self-confidence. My two younger brothers and I have always been self-confident. This is because of the way in which we were raised by wonderful parents who encouraged self-confidence in us, telling us from childhood we could be whatever we set out to be. Not everyone has the benefit of such wonderful parents. We did.