Unlock This Key Trait for Greater Confidence
The one attribute that can transform your self-discipline, elevate your confidence and bring success.
Self-disciplined is a space in where I share my philosophy on how to attain discipline, gain confidence and efficiency and get your time back to do the things you love doing.
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Hello, hello!
It's fall at home, marking the last chunk of the year 🍃🍃. With the new year approaching, reflection starts to pop up more frequently than usual. So expect some deeper thoughts from me in the coming weeks 😁.
Today, I want to talk about something that's intertwined with much of what we've discussed before: the effects of discipline on confidence, how consistency is fundamental to developing discipline, and how we can cultivate consistency like a muscle to gain confidence and higher self-esteem.
The Power of Consistency
Let me take you back to the 1700s and introduce you to Benjamin Franklin. At age 20, Franklin embarked on an ambitious self-improvement project that spanned most of his life. He identified 13 virtues he believed were essential for personal growth, including temperance, order, and resolution. Instead of trying to master all of them at once, Franklin did something that should resonate with anyone trying to build self-discipline: he focused on one virtue per week, meticulously tracking his progress.
He cycled through these 13 virtues four times a year and repeated the process for decades. This methodical approach, much like compound interest in finance, allowed Franklin to improve gradually over time. He didn’t just master these virtues but also saw growth in his confidence and self-esteem. Each small win compounded, helping him become one of the most accomplished and confident figures in history.
Franklin’s autobiography, where he detailed this system, inspired countless others to adopt similar practices of self-improvement. His story is a testament to the transformative power of consistency—not just in developing skills but in building character and, most importantly, confidence.
Committing to Consistency is Hard
Let’s not sugarcoat it: consistency is tough. Committing to something for the long haul without knowing if it’ll pay off? That’s hard. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that only about 46% of people who make New Year’s resolutions are still successful after six months1. That's a lot of commitment!
I'd love to say it's been easy for me to be consistent, but it's a struggle, and that's okay. I keep shooting arrows in many aspects of my life. I've learned to be okay with it and trust things will work out.
What Can We Do to Become More Consistent?
"You must build up your life action by action, and be content if each one achieves its goal as far as possible – and no one can keep you from this."
Marcus Aurelius
Building consistency overnight is not realistic. It’s a lifelong endeavor, especially if you’re aiming to excel in multiple areas. If you’ve got specific goals, follow Franklin’s example: commit to regular cadence, one step at a time. It requires self-control, and yes, there will be ups and downs. But the real challenge is pushing through those tough moments.
James Clear, in Atomic Habits, explains the power of small, incremental improvements. He writes:
Too often, we convince ourselves that massive success requires massive action... Meanwhile, improving by just 1% each day isn’t particularly notable—but it can be far more meaningful in the long run. If you can get 1 percent better every day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done.
Think about that for a second. Thirty-seven times better. That’s the power of compounding small, daily efforts. Yet, knowing this and putting it into practice are two different things. It's like having a map but not knowing how to read it. So how do you put consistency into action?
Consistency Frameworks: Your Toolbox for Discipline
We’ve all been there—motivated for a week or two, only to fall off track when life gets in the way. To build real, lasting consistency, you need frameworks—systems that guide you through the inevitable ups and downs. These are the tools that help transform good intentions into lasting habits.
Here are some of the most effective frameworks to help you build consistency:
The Kaizen Method: This Japanese philosophy focuses on continuous improvement through small, incremental changes. It's about making tiny adjustments that accumulate over time to create big results.
The WOOP Framework: WOOP stands for Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan. It helps turn dreams into reality by focusing on what you really want and laying out practical steps to get there.
The Fogg Behavior Model: Developed by Dr. BJ Fogg, this model states that for a behavior (B) to occur, three elements must converge: Motivation (M), Ability (A), and Prompt (P). B = MAP.
The Habit Loop: From Charles Duhigg's "The Power of Habit", this concept breaks down habits into Cue, Routine, and Reward. Understanding this loop helps in forming new habits and breaking undesirable ones.
The Four Disciplines of Execution (4DX): This framework focuses on executing important goals amidst daily distractions. It emphasizes focusing on wildly important goals, acting on lead measures, keeping a compelling scoreboard, and creating a cadence of accountability.
The GROW Model: Standing for Goal, Reality, Options, and Will, this coaching framework helps clarify goals, assess current situations, explore ways to move forward, and commit to action.
Tiny Habits Method: Also developed by Dr. BJ Fogg, this method focuses on starting small, anchoring new habits to existing ones, and celebrating small successes.
The Effect of Consistency on Confidence
So, what happens after you develop consistency? Studies show that consistency significantly increases self-efficacy and confidence. A study in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that students with consistent study habits (at least 2 hours daily) showed a 23% higher academic self-efficacy score compared to those with inconsistent habits2.
This applies to work behaviors too. A study in the Journal of Vocational Behavior found that employees with high work consistency scored 31% higher on measures of professional confidence. For every 10% increase in work consistency, there was a 7% increase in professional confidence scores3.
Takeaways
Consistency is the quiet force behind confidence. It’s not about giant leaps or overnight success, but the small, daily wins that build over time. When you commit to taking small steps toward your goals, you’re not just building discipline—you’re cultivating confidence in yourself and your abilities.
Think of consistency as a long-term investment. The more you invest in the small actions today, the more you’ll see compounded returns tomorrow. Whether it’s Franklin tracking his virtues or you building new habits, the principle remains the same: showing up regularly leads to incredible transformations over time.
Remember, it’s okay to have off days. The goal is not perfection but progress. Keep pushing through, and before you know it, you’ll find that the confidence you’ve built through consistency is your greatest asset.
Have a wonderful week!
Norcross, J. C., Mrykalo, M. S., & Blagys, M. D. (2002). Auld lang Syne: Success predictors, change processes, and self-reported outcomes of New Year's resolvers and nonresolvers. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(4), 397-405.
Komarraju, M., & Nadler, D. (2013). Self-efficacy and academic achievement: Why do implicit beliefs, goals, and effort regulation matter? Learning and Individual Differences, 25, 67-72.
Luthans, F., Avolio, B. J., Avey, J. B., & Norman, S. M. (2007). Positive psychological capital: Measurement and relationship with performance and satisfaction. Personnel Psychology, 60(3), 541-572.