Confidence! The other night, I was watching a 60 Minutes special titled "Three Remarkable Woman." Morley Safer interviewed country music star and business mogul Dolly Parton, editor in chief of Vogue magazine Anna Wintour, and two-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep.

All three women are at the top of their game and well respected for their business, artistic and financial acumen. What makes them remarkable to me is how they confidently make decisions based on their instincts, staying true to who they are even when it seems unreasonable and ridiculous. The bottom line is that they are confident. 

Always one to stand out in a crowd, Dolly Parton shared that at a very young age, she knew she wanted to look like the town trollop. Raised as a hillbilly kid in the Smokey Mountains, she fell in love with the peroxide blonde hair, long acrylic red nails, bright lipstick and outlandish too tight clothing. Her trademark look has served her well. 

She said, "I may look like a woman, but I think like a man. And in this world of business that has helped me a lot, because by the time they think I don't know what's going on I've done gotten the money and gone." Dolly has confidence in her abilities and gets what she wants, no matter what she looks like on the outside.

Anna Wintour is well known in the fashion industry as a (word that rhymes with witch). So much so that she was the inspiration for the book and movie The Devil Wears Prada. A true powerhouse in the fashion industry, she's famous for her frosty demeanor, steely looks and un-apologetic nature when it comes to making quick and decisive decisions. Her opinion can make or break a designer's entire career. She has a keen eye for what will work, what won't and doesn't allow others to sway her opinion. Anna has confidence in her instincts and decision-making, even if it goes against the grain. 

Movie and Broadway theatre icon Meryl Streep is famous for transforming herself into whatever character she is tasked to play. As Morley Safer pointed out, "Her range is astonishing, one moment she's playing a Texan in Silkwood, the next she's speaking Danish in Out of Africa. She wore spandex for Momma Mia and a beard playing a rabbi in Angels in America." However, what stuck out in my mind during the interview was her impatience when having to shoot the same scene over and over and over and over again. Even though she is juggling many roles at once, she has confidence in her craft. One take, move on!

How can we develop the confidence these three remarkable women possess? 

I see it in three simple steps. 

1. Become keenly aware of what your instincts are telling you. Let them be your guide. Trust yourself! Say it out loud, write it down and then pay attention to how it makes you feel when you look at it.

2. When you have a strong feeling or conviction for something, don't let anyone or anything sway you, even if it means keeping a new idea to yourself until you have worked it through. Many times those that love us most are the ones who steer us from our instincts, because they are afraid for us to get hurt or be disappointed. 

3. Most importantly, be willing to go out on a limb, take the leap, jump outside the box, be all in, carpe diem...however you want to say it. Take Action. 

Confidence comes when you have the courage of your convictions. You follow YOUR instincts, you take the actions YOU think are right, and you celebrate each victory YOU achieve. Only YOU can make it happen. 

Remember, we all have something unique to give to the world. 

Help build your confidence and inspire others at the same time. Share on my Facebook Page a time when you followed your gut and it worked out for the best!