"La confianza es 10 por ciento trabajo duro y 90 por ciento ilusión"

Confidence, at its core, isn't just about putting in the hours and grinding away until you master a skill—it’s about believing in yourself even when there’s no logical reason to. This idea speaks to the notion that a small part of confidence comes from actual preparation and effort, while the larger part relies on a somewhat irrational belief in your abilities. Sounds kind of crazy, right? But think about it. How often have you seen someone accomplish something incredible simply because they truly believed they could?

The phrase has a bit of historical context too. It's often attributed to industry professionals who’ve observed that many successful figures in history and popular culture seemed to possess an almost unrealistic belief in themselves, which propelled them to take risks and achieve great things. This isn’t to downplay hard work—no way. It’s just that hard work alone doesn’t always get you to the top. Sometimes, you need a bit of that unshakeable, almost delusional confidence.

Imagine a young entrepreneur starting a tech company in their garage. They don’t have the resources of a giant corporation, nor the experience of industry veterans. Yet, they believe, with almost a foolhardy certainty, that their idea is the next big thing. They work tirelessly, sure, but it’s their relentless belief that pushes them to make bold moves, to knock on doors that seem permanently shut. Think of Steve Jobs—Apple started in a garage, and Jobs had that wild confidence that his vision would change the world. And look where that got him.

So, how do you apply this kind of wisdom in your life? Start by working hard, of course. But don’t stop there. Cultivate that inner voice that says, “I can do this,” even when doubts creep in. Fake it till you make it, as they say. Act as if success is inevitable, and you might just surprise yourself.

Picture this: You’re about to give a big presentation at work. You’ve prepared your slides, rehearsed your speech, and you know your stuff. But your nerves are getting the best of you. Now, here’s where the 90 percent delusion comes in. Stand tall, take a deep breath, and tell yourself, “I’m the expert on this subject. They’re going to love what I have to say.” Even if you don’t fully believe it at first, this self-assured attitude can transform your behavior, making you seem more credible and persuasive.

There was a time when I was absolutely terrified of public speaking. I’d get all sweaty and my voice would shake. But I decided to try this out. I’d prep like crazy, but then I’d look in the mirror and tell myself, “You’ve got this. You’re going to crush it.” It felt a bit silly at first, but slowly, that self-talk started to change how I felt—and how I performed. People noticed, too. They’d say, “Wow, you’re such a natural speaker!” Little did they know, it was 10 percent hard work and 90 percent me convincing myself I wasn’t scared out of my mind.

So next time you find yourself doubting your abilities, remember that a huge part of confidence is just convincing yourself that you’re capable. Work hard, yes, but don’t forget to give yourself a generous dose of that irrational belief. You might just be surprised at what you can achieve.