Build with Leila Hormozi – Episode 277: Confidence Comes From Reps, Not Hype
Release Date: May 26, 2025
Host: Leila Hormozi
Podcast Title: Build with Leila Hormozi
Episode Title: Confidence Comes From Reps, Not Hype | Ep 277
Introduction: Rethinking Confidence
Leila Hormozi kicks off Episode 277 by challenging the conventional belief that confidence stems from feeling ready or from positive affirmations. She posits that confidence is an output, not an input, emphasizing that true confidence is built through action, especially in the face of fear.
"Confidence is the output, not the input."
— Leila Hormozi [02:30]
Personal Journey: Building Confidence Through Action
Leila shares her personal story of moving to California at 21 without a job or financial security. Faced with imposter syndrome and fear, she decided to create a plan rather than rely on mere self-belief. This involved:
- Securing Employment: She took a job at 24 Hour Fitness, where she discovered the role was more focused on marketing and sales than fitness.
- Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Despite feeling terrified and unqualified, she committed to learning by reading sales books, working extended hours, and seeking mentorship.
- First Success: Her first sale was a breakthrough moment that shattered her self-doubt and expanded her vision of what was possible.
"I have a lot of people that join my team and they're really scared of public speaking and they want to be a leader in the company... I just decide that I was willing to be scared."
— Leila Hormozi [25:45]
Action Over Affirmations: The Real Source of Confidence
Leila critiques the common practice of using affirmations such as writing positive statements on the bathroom mirror. She explains that while these affirmations didn’t change her feelings, taking consistent action did.
- Affirmations vs. Actions: Affirmations alone are ineffective without the corresponding actions.
- Chasing Results vs. Building Foundations: Focusing solely on the desired outcome (e.g., being skinny) without engaging in the necessary actions (e.g., working out) leads to stagnation.
"You can't just wish for it, you have to work for it."
— Leila Hormozi [12:15]
The Importance of Tracking Progress: Data Over Dopamine
Leila emphasizes the significance of tracking daily progress rather than relying on fluctuating emotions. By monitoring actions such as diet and exercise, one builds a body of evidence that reinforces confidence.
- Consistency is Key: Even on days when progress feels minimal, tracking reveals long-term advancement.
- Mental Shift: Viewing progress through data helps override negative self-perceptions fueled by emotional highs and lows.
"Confidence comes from data, not dopamine."
— Leila Hormozi [18:50]
Starting Small: Tiny Tweaks for Big Confidence Gains
To build competence and confidence, Leila advocates for starting with extremely small, manageable tasks. This approach ensures consistent successes that accumulate over time.
- Example in Weight Loss: Instead of drastic changes, focus on small actions like reducing dessert intake or tracking meals.
- Public Speaking Breakdown: Gradually increase speaking responsibilities, starting with 60-second segments and progressively taking on larger roles.
"The fastest way to build competence is to start with something small. So small that you can't lose."
— Leila Hormozi [22:10]
Emotion Follows Motion: Overcoming Fear Through Action
Leila introduces the concept that emotions follow actions, not the other way around. By taking action despite fear, one can navigate through and eventually diminish those fearful feelings.
- Physiological Response: Upon confronting fear directly, initial anxiety subsides as continued action reinforces competence.
- Survival vs. Success: The brain's survival mechanisms can hinder confidence, but purposeful action retrains it towards success.
"Emotion follows motion, not the other way around."
— Leila Hormozi [29:00]
Practical Strategies: Confronting and Managing Fear
Leila provides actionable strategies for embracing fear and using it as a catalyst for building confidence:
- Visualize the Fear: Identify specific fears and confront them mentally.
- Carry Fear Along: Instead of trying to eliminate fear, acknowledge its presence and proceed with actions despite it.
- Incremental Challenges: Continuously challenge oneself with slightly larger tasks to build resilience and confidence.
"Building confidence is the first step to getting anything you want in life."
— Leila Hormozi [34:20]
Conclusion: Embrace Repetition and Small Wins
Leila wraps up the episode by reiterating that confidence is cultivated through repeated actions and celebrating small victories. By consistently tracking progress and breaking down goals into tiny, achievable steps, individuals can develop unshakable confidence.
"If you get to every day that you can accomplish one step, you're building the kind of confidence that won't shake."
— Leila Hormozi [43:50]
Key Takeaways
- Confidence is Built by Doing: Taking action, especially when scared, is essential for developing true confidence.
- Track Your Progress: Use data to measure progress rather than relying on fluctuating emotions.
- Start Small: Break down tasks into manageable steps to ensure consistent progress and build a foundation of success.
- Embrace Fear: Accept fear as a natural response and use action to navigate through it, allowing emotions to follow your motions.
Leila Hormozi's Episode 277 provides a pragmatic approach to building confidence, emphasizing action, consistency, and the importance of small, incremental steps. By shifting focus from internal affirmations to external actions, listeners are equipped with a tangible framework to develop unshakable confidence in both personal and professional arenas.