For decades, we've been told that the path to success runs through self-esteem: believe in yourself, celebrate your achievements, fake it till you make it. And yet burnout, imposter syndrome and the nagging feeling of being invisible keep growing. If you've ever struggled to say no, felt unseen despite your accomplishments, or wondered why success doesn't feel the way it's supposed to — you're not alone, and it's not your fault.

Laila-Elizabeth Risdon has spent almost thirty years as a facilitator and coach, empowering thousands of women to break through exactly this. What she's discovered is that most of us have been building on the wrong foundation entirely. We've been pouring energy into self-esteem — which is tied to what we do — when the real key to lasting confidence, connection and joy lies in self-worth: an understanding of who we are, independent of our achievements, our job titles, or anyone else's approval.

Her upcoming book introduces the SELF Model, a practical framework born from decades of real coaching conversations and breakthroughs. It's not theory — it's a hands-on guide filled with exercises designed to help you recognise your own worth, strengthen it, and start making decisions from a place of genuine inner confidence rather than the exhausting cycle of proving yourself over and over again.

Whether you're a leader navigating the pressures of a demanding role, a mother trying to balance everything without losing yourself, or simply someone who's ready to stop performing confidence and start actually feeling it — this book was written for you. It's honest, it's practical, and it might just change the way you see yourself.