From the Desk of Caspar
Think of an ambitious project you’re working on right now.
At work. At home. Doesn’t matter.
Now ask yourself this:
What’s your level of conviction that it will succeed?
Not how much you hope it will.
Not how much you want it to.
How much do you believe, deep down, that it will happen?
Score it out of 10.
1 is I don’t know why we are even bothering; and
10 is It’s a done deal; never any doubt this is going to happen.
What’s your number, and why does it matter?
Leadership is about creating a compelling vision of the future and having an unerring belief that you will make it happen, even though you don’t know all the obstacles or have the answers. Yet.
Leading yourself. Leading others. It’s the same thing.
If you don’t believe it, neither will they.
Your team can feel your doubt.
They can’t always name it. But they know it’s there.
So, if you’re anything less than a 10, what do YOU do to raise your conviction levels?
How do you raise your conviction?
Conviction is the calm, quiet knowing that this matters and it is going to happen.
But if you’re not feeling that right now, here’s how to build it:
1) See the end clearly
If the goal is blurry, your conviction will be too. Get vivid. Specific.
Where will you be when it’s done? Who’s there? What’s changed?
2) Apply Logic
Does your goal defy the laws of physics?
No, ok, that good!
Has someone else achieved a similar goal?
Yes, good, then yours should be possible too.
3) Make it personal
Conviction comes from emotion, not just logic.
Why does this matter to you? What’s really at stake if you don’t do it?
4) Borrow belief
Find someone who already believes in you or the idea.
Conviction is contagious — especially when yours is low.
5) Build proof through action
Do something. Anything.
Even a small win proves the path is real and lifts your number.
6) Say it out loud
Declare what you’re doing. Own it.
Speaking shifts the energy. People take notice, including you.
Try this — three micro experiments to shift your conviction
You don’t need to overhaul everything. Just start here:
2 minutes
Rate your conviction (1–10).
Write down one thing that you could do to nudge it up just one level. I suggest first principles thinking that looks to see who else has taken on and achieved a similar goal. Seeing others who’ve done what you want to do tells you it’s possible.
5 minutes
Close your eyes. Picture the moment it’s done.
Where are you? Who’s with you? How do you feel?
Make it real in your mind.
10 minutes
Write a short commitment note to yourself or someone else.
State what you’re doing, why it matters, and what your next bold move is.
Then read it out loud.
Own the words. Make them real.
You cast a leadership shadow. Your inner conviction levels and beliefs are too important to be left to chance. Your team will feel the difference.