Action Breeds Confidence
Have you ever noticed how people who consistently show up for themselves seem to carry a certain presence? You can call it swagger, composure, or just pure self-assurance—but I call it confidence, and it’s often earned the hard way. As Alex Hormozi reminds us:
“You don’t become confident by shouting affirmations in the mirror, but by having a stack of undeniable proof that you are who you say you are. Outwork your self-doubt.”
Let me take you back to my own story. As a kid, I was a chubby gamer who’d spend hours playing Halo—and I was actually in the top 500 U.S. players when I was in 7th grade. With sports off my radar at the time, I turned to books, games, movies, and LEGOs. I was completely content nerding out with my friends, all of us blissfully unaware that we might be labeled “uncool” someday.
But then junior high hit. Suddenly, everyone cared about clothes, popularity, and body image. It felt like a spotlight was shining on me, with every flaw magnified. Shopping for school clothes became an exercise in wanting to “fit in.” I didn’t know if my usual style would survive the judging gaze of classmates. My confidence took a hit as I started comparing myself to everyone around me.
Luckily, I had my brothers to look up to, and they nudged me toward volleyball in high school. I decided to give it a go, even though I still saw myself as the chubby gamer kid at heart. Turns out, I was pretty good. Other people began to notice my skill, and that recognition further fueled my efforts. I practiced, worked out, and tried to get better every single day. The results showed during actual games. For the first time, I saw a direct correlation between hard work and success—and that realization was a total game-changer.
Eventually, my confidence soared. I’d gone from the kid wearing a t-shirt in the pool to an athlete who contributed to the team. That transformation didn’t happen overnight. It was built through day-by-day action, gradually stacking up proof that I was capable of more than I’d ever thought.
To this day, every major goal I set follows the same formula—stacking evidence of my ability. When I step up to the starting line of a marathon aiming for a sub-three-hour finish, I only feel confident if my training is solid. If I’ve put in the miles, the speed work, the early mornings, then I know I’m prepared. Confidence stems from seeing the proof, plain and simple.
Confidence doesn’t grow from empty self-talk. It takes shape when you do. When you embrace your imperfections, learn as you go, and prove to yourself—sometimes daily—that you can tackle hard things, your confidence naturally rises. It’s your journey; no one else’s. If you want your self-belief to expand, do something challenging, and keep at it long enough to get better.
Confidence is a quiet certainty that you can handle what’s in front of you. Arrogance is shouting from the rooftops without having done the work. If you’re not sure where to start, pick a small step that nudges you out of your comfort zone. If you want to eat healthier, choose a salad over a burger at lunch—simple as that. Do it again tomorrow, then again. Over time, these small victories compound into undeniable proof that you can control your decisions.
The bottom line is: action kills doubt. Every challenge you overcome is one more strike against that voice telling you, “You can’t do this.” And every little win strengthens the muscle of confidence until you barely recognize the person you were at the start.
So, start today. Don’t wait until you think you’re “ready.” The version of you that you’ve always dreamed about is waiting on the other side of a few brave decisions. Step up, prove yourself wrong, and outwork your self-doubt.
Keep getting after it, my friends.