If you adopt these 10 daily habits, your confidence will skyrocket

Everyone has 24 hours in a day. It’s true for CEOs, the US President, doctors, lawyers, and sports superstars, but also for average Joes and Janes like you and me. 

It’s what you do in these 24 hours that counts. For some, it’s continuous learning, practice, reading, reflection, and compassion. For others, it’s watching TV and scrolling through social media. 

But if you want more confidence and more success, there are daily habits you can easily incorporate. 

Here are the best ones. 

1) Practice and preparation

To get more confidence in everything you do, especially in a professional field, you need a lot of practice and preparation.

I could mention generals and project managers, but the following example is more than good enough. 

NBA player Stephen Curry. His confidence on the court is the result of countless hours spent practicing and refining his skills. He didn’t become the best NBA shooter of all time by taking it lightly.

If you want to be the best in something, you need to get out there and do it over and over again until you perfect it. 

2) Positive mindset and self-talk

I associate confidence with a positive mindset, an optimistic outlook on life, and uplifting self-talk. 

For instance, Trevor Noah, a comedian, writer, and former host of “The Daily Show,” often infuses humor and optimism into his work. 

Despite growing up in challenging circumstances in South Africa, Noah’s storytelling reflects his ability to find humor and positivity in life’s complexities. 

Through his comedy and commentary, he encourages audiences to see the brighter side of situations and approach challenges with a positive perspective.

Serena Williams, on the other hand, uses positive self-talk to manage self-doubt and stay focused during high-stress moments. 

By reassuring herself and maintaining a strong mindset, she boosts her confidence on and off the tennis court.

3) Visualization

Another technique that athletes and performers use all the time is visualization. It’s like a practice run, but everything happens in your mind. 

Visualization not only calms nerves but also improves confidence by mentally rehearsing success.

For example, you’re an F1 driver. Apart from real-life practice, you’d use visualization to imagine the race repeatedly in your mind. 

You know every inch of every curve and corner, even before you ever step foot on the actual racing track.  

A famous example of a performer that uses this technique is Beyoncé. She has talked openly about how she uses the technique for imagining herself succeeding before performances. 

4) Exercise

If you want to boost your overall confidence and well-being, there’s no better way to do it than physical exercise, especially lifting weights. 

People like Michelle Obama know that commitment to regular exercise isn’t just about physical health. 

Engaging in physical activities like workouts or walks releases endorphins, which positively impact mood and self-esteem.

Regular physical activity also increases your energy levels, making you feel more vital and motivated. This increased energy leads to greater confidence in tackling daily tasks and challenges.

It also positively influences your body image, which is vital for improved confidence.

5) Consistent routine

Another daily habit that’s incredibly important is having a consistent routine.

Although he’s not my favorite person, Mark Zuckerberg has a consistent routine, including exercise, goal-setting, and learning, and he instills discipline and structure in his life. 

This routine gives him a sense of control and assurance, boosting his confidence. Maybe even too much because of his multi-billion dollar bets into failed projects like the Metaverse. 

But let’s move on to another must. 

6) Adequate sleep

We’ve all heard how some people, especially celebrities, get up at 4 or 5 am and go for a run, workout, practice tai chi, or whatever else it is they’re doing that early. 

The reality is, for most of us, that isn’t an option, and we should get between six and eight hours of sleep. 

I can get up that early for a couple of days, but for the rest of the week, I’ll be like a zombie and trying to catch up on sleep. 

These people are either outright lying that they’re doing it every day, they do it only once or twice per week, or they don’t need that much sleep to begin with because they’re natural short sleepers. 

Arianna Huffington is known for giving an emphasis on prioritizing sleep. It stems from her understanding that a well-rested mind is better equipped to handle challenges. 

Ultimately, quality sleep improves mood, mental clarity, and overall confidence.

7) Reflection

Brené Brown, a research professor and author, is known for her work on vulnerability, courage, and empathy. 

Through her books and talks, she encourages others to engage in deep self-reflection and explore their emotions and experiences. 

Her emphasis on vulnerability and self-awareness has resonated with many. It highlights the importance of reflection in personal growth and emotional well-being.

I love self-reflecting because it allows me to understand myself better and my values, strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. 

Self-awareness, in turn, helps me make informed choices aligned with my authentic self.

8) Goal setting

Setting and measuring specific goals is one of the best ways to become more confident and successful. 

A perfect example is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a former professional wrestler turned actor and entrepreneur known for his incredible work ethic, determination, and relentless pursuit of success. 

He’s also known for setting clear and specific goals. Whether it’s in his wrestling career, acting roles, or business ventures, he has a clear vision of what he wants to achieve. 

Achieving these goals, no matter how small, reinforces his self-belief and shows him the progress he’s making.

And you should take a page from his book. Write down your goals, plan how to achieve them, and start working towards them. 

9) Taking risks

Taking calculated risks has been a massive game-changer for me. I was someone who had a shielded life and took the easy way out most of the time. 

But since that unfortunate period of my life, I’ve moved countries a couple of times and changed jobs and careers even more. 

I’ve learned from people like Sir Richard Branson, whose willingness to take calculated risks has led him to various ventures. 

Overcoming challenges through risk-taking helped him boost his self-confidence by showing him he could navigate uncharted territories and succeed. Quite literally. 

But almost no one can succeed and have confidence without the following habit. 

10) Continuous learning

You’re never too old to learn new things. In fact, it’s what keeps our minds young and vital. 

But here, I want to put a spotlight on two young people and their exemplary behavior. 

The first one is Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner. Malala’s relentless pursuit of education, despite facing life-threatening challenges, demonstrates the power of continuous learning. 

Her commitment to education as a means of empowerment is an inspiration to many. If you don’t know her story, I highly encourage you to check it out. 

Another one is Billie Eilish. This young singer-songwriter is a strong advocate for continuous learning and self-improvement. 

Despite her meteoric rise to fame, she remains committed to evolving as an artist and person. She embraces new musical styles, collaborates with different artists, and constantly challenges herself creatively. 

Eilish’s dedication to growth exemplifies how a commitment to learning can lead to ongoing success and personal development.

But I also want to mention Warren Buffett. This American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist is 93 years old but still dedicated to reading for several hours each day.

His continuous learning not only improves his decision-making abilities but also bolsters his confidence in making informed choices.

Final thoughts

In the end, if you add at least some of these habits and improve your mindset, you will inevitably get better confidence and more success if that’s what you’re after. 

Don’t know where to start? How about changing your perspective?