Scrolling through the feed of social media queen, Mihlali Ndamase, you can tell that she is no stronger to the glam life. Her online career took off in 2016 and, since then, she has become one of the biggest and highest-earning influencers on YouTube and Instagram. She's also a Forbes 30 Under 30 inductee. Not only has she won awards for her content but also her makeup artistry, and she has worked with loads of local and international brands, accumulating over two million followers across her various platforms along the way.

But while she may appear to ooze confidence and be living her best life, it didn’t come without plenty of hard work. And this goes for her work and her confidence levels ever since being thrust unexpectedly into the limelight. Now she’s the life of the party after gaining valuable insights into her true worth.

Here are six of Mihlali’s lessons in confidence to help you find your inner strength, gain perspective and keep flourishing.

1. Take Your Time

“Being in a hurry to reach certain milestones and having unreasonable expectations can result in disappointment,” explains Mihlali. “I gained confidence in my abilities after learning the importance of putting your head down to work and focusing on perfecting your craft instead of being in a rush to celebrate every small win.” Be patient, your time will come!

2. Make Yourself a Priority

We are all guilty of putting the wants of others above our needs. But this not only hinders you professionally it can impact you psychologically and emotionally as well. “Ignoring signs of stress to get things done is not conducive to a healthy work-life balance,” says Mihlali. “When you prioritise yourself holistically it can help you flourish in all areas of your life.”

3. Let Rejection Motivate You

She might be a social media superstar, but that doesn’t mean that Mihlali – like all of us – hasn’t faced her fair share of rejection. “I’ve had deals not working out as I’d hoped, which have been hard lessons,” she says. “But instead of letting failures stop me or have me questioning myself, I see them as challenges to overcome, which is a huge motivation when it comes to my career.”

4. Be Open to Growth

As the saying goes, change is the only constant. And we should always be open to learning and growing so that we don’t remain stagnant. This is something Mihlali says contributes to her confidence. “Asking people for advice or guidance doesn’t make you inadequate,” she explains. “Being teachable helps you to grow, and you never know what you can learn. Never limit yourself because of your pride.”

5. Know – and Own! – Your Talents

We know that the line between confidence and arrogance can be blurry. But honing your self-awareness and acknowledging your strengths doesn’t put you into the latter category. “Having confidence in your abilities can help you to succeed in work and life just as your insecurities can hold you back,” says Mihlali. “Believing in your talents will help others to see them, too.”

6. Be Intentional in Everything You Do

We all experience feelings of self-doubt from time to time, but dwelling on them leaves you feeling nothing but inadequate. “Never let the fear of failure hold you back from pursuing your dreams,” advises Mihlali. “Be intentional about what you want, focus on it and persevere, even when the going gets tough. With enough time, patience and grind, everything that is meant for you will be yours!”