The Power of Pride: Building Confidence and Resilience

These days, as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day, themes of gratitude and national pride are everywhere — on the news, on social media, and in daily conversations.

Today, I want to reflect on another kind of pride — one that is more personal and intimate: the pride we feel in ourselves.

When high-achieving women rarely pause to celebrate and feel proud

As high-achieving women, well-educated, ambitious, and successful by “conventional standards”, we often hold ourselves to very high expectations. Success can feel “expected”, almost taken for granted, and we seldom pause to acknowledge or celebrate it.

Instead, many women find themselves caught in a cycle of stress and overwhelm:

·       Stretched thin across multiple roles: leader, professional, devoted mother, supportive partner, dutiful daughter.

·       Emotionally drained yet outwardly maintaining a polished and resilient image.

·       Longing for balance and meaning, yet feeling stuck in the whirlwind of daily demands

After four years of working closely with many high-achieving women, I’ve learned something important: pride doesn’t have to come only from the grand milestones. It can be found in the quiet victories — the small, steady shifts that not only transform our own lives but also positively impact those around us.

Moments that make me proud

Lately, I’ve been deeply moved by heartfelt messages from people I’ve had the privilege to accompany on their journeys of transformation:

• From a university student I mentored two years ago, learning to let go of her “perfectionist” role: “I just received a scholarship for a study exchange in Japan. I’m so grateful for the way you helped me through a really tough time. I finally see that hard work really pays off — and I feel worthy of this dream I’ve carried for so long.”

• From a lecturer and entrepreneur I coached, now confidently speaking on international stages:

  “This morning I gave a presentation at an international fair. I only finished my slides at 4 a.m., but I still felt confident on stage — thanks to the tools I learned from you.”

• From a former colleague, thankful for a small coaching session that changed her mother’s travel experience overseas: “My mom no longer suffers from carsickness, and I think of you often. I never had the chance to thank you properly.”

• From another former colleague whom I coached 3 years ago, who recently shared: “I just got married… Now I’m starting a new chapter, a new journey. I’m so happy. I still remember the 5 love languages you coached me on.”

• From a client who faced imposter syndrome with courage and came out stronger:

  “I’m living the dream now”

• From another client who, after nearly 5 months of self-work, went from doubting her voice to being told by her customers that she has a “healing energy” when she speaks:

  “I feel like I’ve reached a huge milestone. If it weren’t for your support, I might still be lost. You’ve helped me draw the map for my own path — something I never imagined I’d hear this soon.”

  
  

These simple yet profound words remind me: pride is not about boasting. It is about honoring the meaningful journey we’re on, and the values we choose to live by.

Pride as a source of balance, confidence, resilience and well-being

When we allow ourselves to feel proud of even small steps, we are also:

• Strengthening our confidence and emotional well-being.

• Building resilience and flexibility to face life’s pressures.

• Nurturing the harmony between work and life that so many high-achievers long for.

  
  

As Pablo Picasso once said: “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away”.

Allowing yourself moments of pride is part of honoring that gift—and it’s what fuels the confidence and resilience you need to share it with the world

An invitation for you

If you are a high-achieving woman who has become so accustomed to giving that you’ve forgotten how to honor yourself, I invite you to pause and reflect:

👉 What is the most recent moment that made you feel proud of yourself?

And if you’re ready to break free from the cycle of stress and overwhelm, create work-life harmony, and reconnect with your authentic self, I warmly invite you to explore transformational coaching with me — a supportive space where you are deeply heard and guided to live in alignment with your true meaning and purpose.

✨ Book your FREE discovery call with me here: https://calendly.com/thumai-coaching/discovery-session-with-mai