Confidence can feel like a huge, intimidating mountain to climb. You might look at someone who seems self-assured and wonder, “How do they do it? How do they seem so sure of themselves all the time?”

The truth is, confidence isn’t something that magically appears overnight. It’s built slowly, one step at a time, with patience, practice, and effort. Just like any other skill, it takes time to grow. And the good news? Anyone can do it. Yes, even you!

In this blog, we’re going to talk about practical ways to build confidence, starting small and working your way up. You don’t have to tackle everything all at once. In fact, small, manageable steps are the best way to grow lasting confidence. And guess what? It’s okay to stumble along the way—that’s part of the process.

So, let’s take this one step at a time together.

Start Where You Are

A little story: I remember when I first started learning to drive. I was terrified. The idea of getting behind the wheel of a car felt like the most nerve-wracking thing in the world. But my instructor didn’t take me straight onto the freeway on my first day. Instead, we drove around an empty parking lot for a while. We practiced basic things—how to start the car, stop it, and turn slowly. It felt simple, but each small success made me feel just a little more confident. Eventually, I was ready for bigger challenges.

This is how confidence works in any area of life. You start small, with something that feels manageable. That might mean practicing a speech in front of a mirror, going for a short jog if you’re trying to get fit, or learning to cook one new recipe. Whatever it is, don’t overwhelm yourself by thinking about the end goal. Focus on what you can do today.

Action Step 1: Set Small, Achievable Goals

One of the best ways to start building confidence is by setting small goals that you can actually achieve. If your goals are too big right away, you might get discouraged if you don’t reach them quickly. Start with something you know you can do.

If you want to get in shape, your first goal could be walking for 10 minutes a day.

If you want to be more social, your first goal could be saying “hi” to someone new at work or school.

If you want to improve your public speaking, try practicing a short speech in front of a friend.

The point is to start small. When you reach that goal, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, which boosts your confidence. Then, you can set another slightly bigger goal. One step at a time.

Celebrate Small Wins

It’s easy to brush off small achievements and think, “That’s no big deal,” but celebrating those wins is crucial. Confidence is like building a tower. Each small success is a building block that makes the tower stronger and taller. If you don’t acknowledge your achievements, it’s like leaving a block out.

Celebrating small wins is definitely not my biggest strength. But I realized it’s because I never stopped to notice how far I had gotten. Now I take the time to reflect and appreciate. It’s a work in progress but it’s made all of life more fulfilling.

Action Step 2: Keep Track of Your Wins

Write down your small wins, no matter how minor they may seem. Did you send that email you were nervous about? Write it down. Did you complete that 10-minute walk you promised yourself? That’s another win. Keeping a record of your accomplishments will remind you of the progress you’ve made.

Here are a few ways to track and celebrate your progress:

Keep a journal: Write down one thing you’re proud of each day. It can be as simple as, “I made it to the gym” or “I started that project I’ve been putting off.”

Give yourself a reward: When you achieve a goal, treat yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything big—maybe it’s a nice meal, a movie night, or an hour of your favorite hobby.

Share with a friend: Tell someone about your success. Sometimes, hearing someone else say, “That’s awesome!” helps boost your confidence even more.

Embrace Mistakes and Learn from Them

One of the biggest myths about confident people is that they never fail. The truth is, everyone fails sometimes, even the most confident people. What sets confident people apart is how they handle those failures. Instead of letting mistakes knock them down, they see them as learning opportunities.

I’ve auditioned for literally hundreds of projects, like all actors. The majority of the time we really want the part . The majority of the time we don’t get it. Just how it goes. Some disappointments are worse than others but I’ve learned it’s much more rewarding to go for what you want and not get it than to forever wish you did.

Mistakes don’t mean you’ve failed. They’re just steps on the path to success. Every mistake you make is an opportunity to learn, grow, and become more confident.

Action Step 3: Reframe Your Failures

Instead of thinking of mistakes as failures, try to see them as valuable lessons. Ask yourself:

• What went wrong, and why?
• What can I learn from this experience?
• How can I improve for next time?

By shifting your mindset, you’ll stop fearing failure and start embracing it as part of your growth.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Confidence doesn’t come from thinking about doing something; it comes from actually doing it. The more you practice something, the better you get, and the more confident you feel.

Think about it: Were you immediately confident when you first learned to ride a bike or swim? Probably not. But with practice, you got better, and eventually, it felt easy.

Let’s say you want to become a better communicator. You won’t feel confident in your speaking abilities right away, but if you practice regularly—whether by speaking in front of a mirror, recording yourself, or having conversations with friends—you’ll notice a difference. With every practice, you build skills and confidence.

Action Step 4: Commit to Consistent Practice

Identify the areas in your life where you want to feel more confident, and practice those skills regularly. Whether it’s speaking, writing, fitness, or anything else, consistent practice will help you improve.

Some tips for building a regular practice routine:

Set a schedule: Dedicate a specific time each day or week to practicing. Even 10 minutes a day can make a big difference over time.

Start small: Don’t expect perfection right away. Focus on gradual improvement.

Track your progress: Notice how you’re improving over time, and celebrate the progress you’ve made.

Surround Yourself with Positivity

The people and environment you surround yourself with have a huge impact on your confidence. Negative voices—whether they come from others or yourself—can easily chip away at your self-esteem. On the other hand, being around positive influences can boost your confidence and motivate you to keep going.

The people you surround yourself with matter. Positive energy is contagious. It helps you believe in yourself and makes the journey to confidence feel easier.

Action Step 5: Build a Supportive Environment

Find your tribe: Surround yourself with people who encourage you and believe in you. Whether it’s friends, family, or a supportive online community, positive relationships can help boost your confidence.

Limit negative influences: If there are people in your life who constantly bring you down or make you doubt yourself, try to limit your time around them.

Be your own cheerleader: Sometimes, you have to be the one who believes in you the most. Practice positive self-talk, and remind yourself of your strengths.

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

Confidence doesn’t grow when you’re stuck in your comfort zone. To build real confidence, you have to challenge yourself to try new things. This doesn’t mean you have to take huge leaps all at once—start small. Each time you step a little bit outside your comfort zone, you expand what’s possible for you.

Action Step 6: Take Small Risks

Start by taking small risks that push you slightly outside your comfort zone. If you’re afraid of talking to new people, strike up a conversation with someone at the grocery store. If you’re nervous about trying a new hobby, sign up for one beginner class.

The more you step outside your comfort zone, the more your confidence will grow.

Final Thoughts: Confidence is a Journey

Building confidence doesn’t happen overnight, but by taking small, consistent steps, you can gradually grow into the confident person you want to be. Remember, it’s okay to stumble, make mistakes, and feel unsure along the way. Confidence isn’t about being perfect; it’s about trusting yourself and knowing you can handle whatever comes your way.

So, take that first small step. You’ve got this!