9 tiny habits that will make you more confident than 98% of people

Confidence – everybody craves it, but not everyone knows how to truly achieve it.

Believe it or not, confidence isn’t about grand gestures or dramatic changes. It’s about the tiny habits we incorporate into our daily life.

These small habits can set you apart, making you more confident than 98% of people out there.

In this article, I’m going to share 9 tiny habits that can give your confidence a significant boost.

These aren’t complicated or time-consuming habits – just simple changes that can make a big difference.

Let’s get started. 

1) Start the day with a positive affirmation

Waking up each morning with a positive mindset can have a profound impact on your confidence levels.

This is where positive affirmations come in.

Don’t underestimate the power of these simple, self-declared statements. They’re a way of preparing your mind for the day ahead and setting yourself up for success.

Whether it’s telling yourself “I am capable” or “I am worthy of success”, these affirmations help to shape your inner dialogue and cultivate confidence.

The goal is not to trick your mind into believing something that’s not true, but to reinforce the truth about your potential and self-worth.

Start your day with a positive affirmation and watch as your confidence begins to soar.

2) Embrace failure as a learning experience

I’ve learned over the years that failure isn’t the end of the world. In fact, it’s one of the best teachers out there.

Let me share an experience. Early in my career, I was passed over for a promotion I had worked really hard for. I was devastated and felt like I had failed. It knocked my confidence for a while.

But then, I took a step back and analyzed where things went wrong. I realized that there were areas I needed to work on, skills I needed to enhance. Instead of letting the failure define me, I used it as a stepping stone to improve.

This shift in mindset did wonders for my confidence. Now, whenever I stumble or fall, instead of wallowing in self-doubt, I view it as a chance to learn and grow.

Embracing failure as a learning experience can truly boost your confidence over time. It helps you realize that you’re capable of overcoming obstacles and bouncing back stronger than before.

3) Practice power poses

Body language is more powerful than most people realize. It not only influences how others perceive us but also how we perceive ourselves.

Take “power poses” for example. These are poses that are open, expansive, and take up space. An example of a power pose is standing tall with your hands on your hips, akin to how a superhero would stand.

Before heading into a meeting or a job interview, find a private space and strike a power pose. It might feel a bit silly at first, but it can give your confidence levels a quick and noticeable boost.

4) Set small achievable goals

Confidence often comes from a series of small victories. While it’s great to have big, audacious goals, it’s the small, achievable ones that can really build your self-assuredness.

Setting and achieving these smaller goals gives you a sense of accomplishment and progress, reinforcing the belief that you’re capable and competent.

Maybe it’s completing a difficult task at work, reading a book a month or running a mile without stopping. No matter how small the goal might seem, the act of achieving it can do wonders for your confidence.

Start setting those small goals. As you start ticking them off your list, you’ll see your confidence start to grow.

5) Practice gratitude

It might seem unrelated at first, but practicing gratitude can significantly boost your confidence.

When we’re grateful for what we have, we focus on our achievements and the positive aspects of our life. This helps in creating a more positive self-image and reduces the space for self-doubt and insecurity.

Whether it’s maintaining a gratitude journal or simply taking a few moments each day to reflect on what you’re thankful for, this habit can help shift your perspective and boost your self-esteem.

Make it a daily habit to count your blessings. You’ll be surprised how it can elevate your confidence levels.

6) Be kind to yourself

We’re often our own worst critics. We judge ourselves harshly, focusing on our flaws and mistakes more than our strengths and achievements.

But imagine if we showed ourselves the same kindness and understanding we offer to others. Wouldn’t that be empowering?

Being kind to yourself is a habit that takes practice, but it can do wonders for your confidence. It’s about forgiving yourself when you make mistakes, celebrating your achievements, however small, and reminding yourself of your worth.

This doesn’t mean ignoring areas for improvement. It just means approaching them with a positive, self-compassionate mindset rather than a harsh, self-critical one.

Be kind to yourself. A little self-love can go a long way in building that unshakeable confidence.

7) Surround yourself with positive influences

The people we spend our time with can greatly influence how we feel about ourselves.

There was a time when I found myself in a circle of friends who, although great in many ways, often focused on the negatives. Their constant pessimism started to affect my own mindset, causing my self-esteem to take a hit.

But then I made a conscious decision to surround myself with people who uplifted me, who encouraged me and cheered for my success. This change had an incredible effect on my confidence.

Surrounding yourself with positive influences isn’t about cutting people out of your life. It’s about consciously investing more time and energy in relationships that make you feel good about yourself.

Your confidence is greatly influenced by your environment. So choose to surround yourself with positivity and watch your self-belief grow.

8) Focus on your strengths

We all have unique strengths and abilities. Focusing on these rather than constantly dwelling on our weaknesses can significantly boost our confidence.

Maybe you’re a great listener or you have a knack for problem-solving. Perhaps you’re really good at making people feel welcome and valued. Whatever your strengths are, embrace them.

Spend time each day reminding yourself of these strengths and finding ways to use them. This will not only make you feel more competent and capable, but it will also help others to see your value, further enhancing your self-confidence.

Start focusing on your strengths. The more you do, the more confident you’ll become.

9) Believe in yourself

At the heart of confidence is belief – belief in your abilities, your worth, and your potential. Without this belief, all the power poses and positive affirmations in the world won’t make a difference.

Believing in yourself might seem easier said than done, but it’s a habit that can be cultivated. It starts with trusting your abilities, embracing your uniqueness and recognizing that you are capable of achieving your goals.

Treat yourself as you would someone you believe in. Trust yourself. Believe in yourself. Because once you do, you’ll find that confidence comes naturally.

Final thought: Confidence is a journey, not a destination

When it comes to confidence, it’s important to remember that it’s not an overnight transformation. It’s a journey filled with small victories, setbacks, and learning experiences.

Each of the habits we’ve discussed in this article represents a step on this journey. They’re not quick fixes, but habits to cultivate over time.

American author and motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar once said, “Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking the tartar sauce with you.” This beautifully encapsulates the spirit of confidence – bold, daring, and prepared for success.

Remember that confidence doesn’t mean not having doubts or fears. It means having the courage to take action despite those doubts and fears.

So, start your journey today. Embrace these tiny habits and see how they can transform your confidence. Because ultimately, you deserve to be the most confident version of yourself.