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Seven steps to mastering self confidence




Summary: Welcome back to The Prosperous Life Podcast! Today, Braiden Belnap shares invaluable tips on how to create better habits in your life. Habits are the foundation of our daily routines, and they can either set us up for success or failure. The key to thriving in life lies in building positive habits and eliminating those that hinder your progress. In this blog, we'll break down practical steps you can take to create lasting habits that will propel you toward a more prosperous life.

Step 1: Identify Your Current Habits

The first step in building better habits is self-awareness. Before you can change, you need to take stock of the habits you currently have. Some habits may serve you well, while others may be holding you back.

How to do this:

  • Observe your daily routine: Take a moment to reflect on how you spend your day. What do you do in the morning, throughout the day, and before you go to bed? Write down everything to gain a clear picture of your routine.

  • Evaluate the impact of each habit: For each habit you identify, ask yourself if it contributes to your long-term goals or holds you back. For example, does scrolling through social media for hours help you be productive? Is your morning workout giving you energy, or are you skipping it in favor of extra sleep?

Action Tip:

Grab a journal and list out your daily habits. Mark the habits that are helping you with a checkmark and the ones that are hindering your progress with an "X."



Step 2: Decide Which Habits to Keep, Change, or Eliminate

Once you've identified your current habits, it's time to decide which ones to keep, change, or completely eliminate. This step requires honest evaluation and the willingness to make tough choices.

How to do this:

  • Keep the habits that serve you: If a habit positively contributes to your life (e.g., exercising regularly, planning your day), keep it.

  • Change or tweak bad habits: If a habit is slowing your progress (e.g., procrastinating), consider how you can modify it to serve your goals. For instance, you could replace procrastination with structured work intervals.

  • Eliminate harmful habits: For habits that are clearly destructive (e.g., smoking, excessive junk food consumption), it’s time to cut them out altogether. This can be challenging, but it's necessary for long-term success.

Action Tip:

For each "X" on your habit list, decide whether you’ll change it or eliminate it. Start by eliminating one harmful habit at a time to avoid overwhelm.



Step 3: Start Small with New Habits

One of the biggest reasons people fail to form new habits is that they try to do too much too soon. The key to building lasting habits is starting small and being consistent.

How to do this:

  • Set a realistic goal: If you want to build a habit of exercising, don’t set the goal of going to the gym for an hour every day if you’re just starting. Instead, start with 15 minutes of exercise three times a week. Once that becomes easy, gradually increase your effort.

  • Use the "Two-Minute Rule": If a new habit feels overwhelming, make it so simple that it only takes two minutes to complete. For example, if you want to build a reading habit, start by reading one page a day. The goal is to make it easy enough that you can't make excuses.

Action Tip:

Pick one new habit you want to form. Make it as small and easy as possible, and commit to doing it every day for at least two weeks.



Step 4: Stack New Habits onto Existing Ones

A powerful way to build new habits is through a method called "habit stacking." This means attaching a new habit to something you already do consistently, making it easier to remember and stick to.

How to do this:

  • Identify a stable habit: Look for habits in your life that are already well-established. These are activities you do daily without thinking, like brushing your teeth, making coffee, or driving to work.

  • Attach the new habit: Once you’ve identified a stable habit, attach your new habit to it. For example, if you want to meditate daily, you can decide to do it right after brushing your teeth in the morning. This creates a mental cue to remind you to meditate.

Action Tip:

Choose one habit you already do consistently, and stack a new habit on top of it. Write down the habit stack like this: “After [current habit], I will [new habit].”



Step 5: Create an Accountability System

Accountability is essential for sticking to new habits, especially during the early stages. Whether you’re holding yourself accountable or seeking support from others, having a system in place will increase your chances of success.

How to do this:

  • Use a habit tracker: A habit tracker is a simple tool that allows you to check off each day you complete your habit. Seeing your progress visually can motivate you to keep going.

  • Tell someone about your goal: Sharing your goal with a friend, family member, or mentor creates external accountability. Ask them to check in with you periodically or even join you in building the same habit.

  • Join a group or community: If possible, join a group of people who are working on similar goals. Being part of a supportive community can boost your motivation and make the process more enjoyable.

Action Tip:

Choose a method of accountability that works best for you. Download a habit-tracking app or tell a friend about your habit-building journey.



Step 6: Reward Your Progress

Rewards play a crucial role in reinforcing habits. When you reward yourself for completing a habit, you associate the habit with positive emotions, which makes you more likely to stick with it.

How to do this:

  • Celebrate small wins: Each time you successfully complete your habit for a day or a week, reward yourself with something that makes you feel good. It could be as simple as treating yourself to your favorite snack or taking time to relax.

  • Use delayed gratification: While small rewards help with motivation, it’s also important to delay larger rewards until you hit bigger milestones. For example, reward yourself with a special outing after you’ve completed your new habit for a month.

Action Tip:

Plan a reward for yourself after you complete your new habit for a week. Make sure it’s something that genuinely feels rewarding to you.



Step 7: Be Patient and Adaptable

Building better habits takes time, and it’s essential to be patient with yourself during the process. Sometimes, life will get in the way, and you may miss a day or struggle to stay consistent. The key is not to give up but to adapt and keep moving forward.

How to do this:

  • Expect setbacks: Understand that setbacks are a natural part of the habit-building process. Instead of getting discouraged when you slip up, remind yourself that progress is not about being perfect but about getting back on track.

  • Adjust as needed: If you find that a habit isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to adjust it. Maybe your goal was too ambitious, or you need to change the timing of when you do the habit. Stay flexible and adapt as needed.

Action Tip:

Whenever you experience a setback, take a moment to reflect on what caused it. Make any necessary adjustments, and remind yourself that each new day is an opportunity to start fresh.



Final Thoughts

Building better habits is one of the most powerful ways to improve your life and achieve lasting success. By following these steps—identifying your current habits, starting small, stacking new habits, creating accountability, rewarding progress, and being patient—you can set yourself up for a life of growth and fulfillment.

Remember, habits are a long-term investment in your future. Stick with them, and over time, you’ll see the positive impact they have on every area of your life.



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