Pierre Poteau, Ph.D.

In 1954, a young boxer named Muhammad Ali—then Cassius Clay—walked into a gym in Louisville, Kentucky. He was just 12 years old, skinny, and had no experience in the ring. But what he lacked in skill, he made up for in determination.

Clay trained daily, refining his technique, taking punches, and studying his opponents. Each session, each repetition, and each fight built his confidence. He didn’t become “The Greatest” overnight. His self-belief was forged by showing up, doing the work, and stacking small wins.

Confidence is not something you’re born with—it’s something you build. And the best way to make it? One small step at a time.

The Confidence-Action Loop

Most people believe confidence leads to action: “I’ll start once I feel ready.”

In reality, the opposite is true: action builds confidence. The more you do something, the more skilled you become. The more skilled you become, the more confident you feel. This is called the confidence-action loop.

• Small action → Tiny success → More belief → Bigger action → Greater success

This is why successful people don’t wait to feel confident before acting—they take action to become confident.

How to Build Confidence (Step by Step)

If you want to develop lasting confidence, don’t aim for a complete transformation overnight. Instead, focus on small, consistent actions that create momentum.

1. Start With a 1% Improvement

Confidence isn’t built by making one big leap. It’s built by getting just a little better each day.

• Want to be a better public speaker? Start by speaking up once in a meeting.
• Want to be more social? Begin with a simple “hello” to one new person per day.
• Want to improve a skill? Set a 5-minute daily practice session.

Tiny improvements might seem insignificant, but they compound into confidence over time.

In 86,400 Seconds a Day, I talk about how small, intentional actions create massive momentum. Confidence isn’t about big, bold moves—it’s about stacking daily wins that push you forward. Check it out here.

2. Keep Promises to Yourself

Nothing destroys confidence faster than breaking promises to yourself. Each time you say you’ll do something and don’t follow through; you reinforce the belief that you can’t trust yourself.

The solution? Set small, realistic commitments that you know you can keep.

• Instead of “I’ll go to the gym for an hour every day,” start with “I’ll do 10 push-ups before bed.”
• Instead of “I’ll write a book this year,” commit to “I’ll write one sentence per day.”

Each time you follow through, you build self-trust—and, with it, confidence.

3. Embrace Discomfort

Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Every time you push yourself slightly beyond what feels safe, you expand your capabilities.

Ask yourself: What’s one small thing I can do today that feels slightly uncomfortable but will move me forward?

• Speaking up in a group
• Posting your work online
• Asking for feedback

The discomfort won’t last, but the confidence you gain will.

4. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

One of the biggest confidence killers is waiting for perfection.

Perfectionists hesitate to start because they fear making mistakes. However, confidence doesn’t come from flawless execution but from acting despite imperfection.

If you focus on progress, not perfection, you’ll move forward while everyone else is stuck overthinking.

5. Borrow Confidence From Past Wins

Your brain is wired to remember failures more than successes. To counter this, actively remind yourself of your past victories.

• Keep a journal of small wins.
• Reflect on times you overcame self-doubt.
• Revisit moments where you succeeded despite fear.

When you doubt yourself, look back at this list. You’ve succeeded before—you can do it again.

Confidence Is Built, Not Given

Muhammad Ali didn’t wake up one day as the most confident boxer in history. He built his confidence in one training session, one punch, one fight at a time.

The same applies to you.

Confidence isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you create. Take one small action today, and let the results build upon themselves.

What’s one small step you can take today to grow your confidence?

If you want a system for turning small actions into lasting confidence, my book 86,400 Seconds a Day breaks it down step by step. Start stacking your wins today! Grab your copy here.

Final Takeaway: Confidence Is a Skill, Not a Gift

Confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t—you build.

• Take small, consistent actions. Every tiny win compounds.
• Keep promises to yourself. Self-trust is the foundation of confidence.
• Embrace discomfort. Growth happens at the edge of your comfort zone.
• Focus on progress, not perfection. Confidence grows through action, not flawless execution.
• Look back at your past wins. You’ve done hard things before—you can do them again.

Every day, you have 86,400 seconds to take one small step forward. How will you use yours?

In 86,400 Seconds a Day, I break down the strategies to build lasting confidence through tiny, repeatable actions. Want to start your journey today? Grab your copy here.

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