Wish you had the self-assurance of say, a TV presenter or an MP? Five inspiring women reveal the secrets of their self-belief.

"I BELIEVE 100% THAT I CAN DO IT"
FEATURE: Clare Askew

Shazia Mirza
26, is Britain's only female Muslim stand-up comedian.

I've always had an outgoing personality and enjoyed being a bit of an entertainer, but taking my natural confidence and turning it into a comedy act in front of 3,000 people certainly didn't come easily. I was wracled with the usual insecurities when I first did stand-up - are people going to laugh? Am I funny? The only way I got over that and got up on stage was to constantly believe in myself. And I still do.

I've done some terrible gigs in clubs full of drunken men who weren't listening because I'm a woman, and they thought there was no way I could ever say anything they'd laugh at. I've never fallen apart on stage, but I have cut short my act. Sometimes it's just not worth staying. I put it down to experience. It's at these times you need to believe in yourself.

If I need an extra boost of confidence, I think back to the great gigs I've done. Remembering what I'm capable of makes me feel better. No-one knows how well you can do or can tell you how good you are - you have to tell yourself. The best way to do this is to think, "If I coped with that, I can cope with this." Confidence has to come from within.

Since the terrorist attacks on September 11th, I do talk about sensitive issues in my shows and I make Muslim jokes - which might seem a bit daring - but to me I'm just talking about my life. I guess it is controversial to say things like, "Hi, my name's Shazia Mirza - at least that's what it says on my pilot's licence," but hopefully it helps break down Islamophobia in Britain. It's natural for a comedian to talk about their personal experiences; that's all I do - it's as simple as that.

The only area where I have no confidence is relationships. When it comes to men I'm useless, but I think that's down to my culture. I could never go up to a guy and start chatting to him and if I knew someone fancied me I'd run a mile. My parents have got involved and tried to set up a few arranged marriages - it always follows the same pattern. We meet, I tell the guy a few jokes and then I never see him again.