Introduction

Recently, I went to a training session on personal development inspired by coaches for elite Olympic athletes to reach a higher level of performance and achieve our goals. The central theme is to take control and 100% accountability. I am passionate about the BE a Scholar Tuition (BEST) project. The goal is to motivate kids to find and be the best version of themselves and be more ready for the world.

“Elite” performance can be adapted into any field. At BEST, we use the King’s Scholarship papers for a benchmark and the UK Maths Challenge as the reference for “interesting” Maths. The mindset at BEST is that through optimising each day and selectively managing resources on subjects of interests. Anyone can be competitive on a high performance level. The improved exam results will be a by-product of spending more time to study efficiently. The aim is to impress the gatekeepers in that first interview for that yet-to-define goal. The point is to be ready, like Olympians ready for their events.

The biggest takeaway from that training session is that all elite athletes have something in common which is they take 100% accountability to their own performance and career. A person’s education is so important as it will play a huge part in determining their future career and life. So should they take 100% control and accountability?

How we can gain confidence – What AI has to say.

Confidence is a skill, not something fixed. So don’t worry if you are low in confidence. Confidence can be build like a muscle. The science behind confidence ties into psychology, neuroscience, and habit formation. Here’s a breakdown of how to gain confidence in a structured way:

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🔬 1. Understand the Science

• Brain rewiring (Neuroplasticity): Each time you step out of your comfort zone and succeed, your brain strengthens the “I can do this” pathway.
• Hormones: Testosterone boosts assertiveness, while cortisol (stress hormone) can undermine confidence. Even simple things like posture, breathing, and exercise can shift these balances.
• Self-efficacy (Bandura): Confidence grows when you experience success—even in small steps. So for example, 25 questions in the UK Maths challenge, if you can do each one, then that is progress.

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🧠 2. Mental Shifts

• Reframe failure: Treat mistakes as feedback, not proof of inadequacy. Resilience is an important trait.
• Inner voice check: Replace “I can’t do this” with “I’m learning how to do this.”
• Visualization: Athletes use this—mentally rehearsing success primes the brain as if you’ve already done it.

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🪜 3. Practical Steps (Build Confidence Gradually)

1. Small Wins → Big Wins
   • Start with achievable goals. Each success boosts dopamine, reinforcing self-belief.
2. Prepare & Practice
   • Confidence grows with competence. Knowing your material, rehearsing, or training reduces uncertainty.
3. Body Language
   • Stand tall, shoulders back, breathe deeply. “Power poses” actually send signals back to the brain that you’re capable.
4. Skill Stacking
   • Learn new skills, even small ones. Mastery in one area spills into general confidence.
5. Exposure Therapy
   • Face fears in small steps (e.g., if nervous about public speaking, start by speaking in a small group, then build up).

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🌱 4. Lifestyle Factors

• Exercise → boosts mood, lowers anxiety, builds physical presence.
• Sleep & Nutrition → tiredness and poor diet erode confidence.
• Social Circle → surround yourself with supportive people; avoid constant critics.

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⚡ 5. Habits That Reinforce Confidence

• Keep a “win journal” → write down daily successes (no matter how small).
• Set stretch goals → slightly outside comfort zone.
• Celebrate progress → reward yourself for effort, not just outcome.

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✅ In short: Confidence grows when you (1) practice and prepare, (2) rewire your brain through repeated small wins, (3) manage your body and mindset, and (4) place yourself in supportive environments.