WHO BURIED YOUR CONFIDENCE | Hai Anh Nguyen | TEDxMy Duc A High School Youth

Confidence is often presented as something to build from nothing, but this TEDx talk by Hai Anh Nguyen argues that it is already present and only needs to be uncovered. Using the image of a diamond buried under layers of dirt, the speaker looks at how perfectionism, comparison and fear of judgment hide natural courage. The talk follows the speaker's shift from a hesitant observer to a top-ranking debater, with the central point that confidence comes after action rather than before it. The talk encourages listeners to stop waiting for a perfect moment and to start questioning the stories that hold them back. It was given at an independently organized TEDx event by a local community.

• Confidence is presented as uncovered rather than created from scratch
• Perfectionism, comparison and fear of judgment are named as obstacles
• A personal path from hesitant observer to top-ranking debater
• Confidence follows action rather than preceding it

We are often taught that confidence is something we must build from scratch, a trait reserved for the loudest or the most extraordinary among us. But what if confidence isn't created—it’s simply uncovered? Using the metaphor of a diamond buried under layers of dirt, this talk explores how perfectionism, comparison, and the fear of judgment obscure our innate courage. Through a personal journey from a hesitant observer to a top-ranking debater, the speaker reveals a transformative truth: confidence does not precede action; it follows it. This speech is an inspiring invitation to stop waiting for the "perfect moment" and start chipping away at the stories holding you back. - First Prize in the Ung Hoa - My Duc Cluster English Excellence Competition for High School Students - Top 1 New Speaker in the Nguyen Hue High School Debate Open Tournament (CDO) - President of the UEC English Club - Ung Hoa A High School This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx