A police officer friend expressed surprise at how affected he was by an “atta-boy” he’d gotten from his sergeant. It made him feel great. A lot of us can relate: we want to be acknowledged and respected but, unfortunately, we are too often left waiting for someone to offer that boost.

What if it didn’t have to come from outside?

Most of us don’t take time to pat ourselves on the back. Maybe you completed a project at work, made time to exercise, or approached a difficult conversation with kindness. Whatever your accomplishment, acknowledging it is like money in the bank: the sense of competence accrues interest over time. It’s not about perfection—it’s about recognizing the effort and progress you are making.

By making acknowledging competence a regular practice, you not only reinforce confidence but also create a mindset that embraces progress . Over time, you’ll see how far you’ve come, which can reinforce this truth: each small step is part of a larger journey of growth.

DailyInventory.net gives you the opportunity to pause and reflect on your successes each day. Click here to start your DailyInventory.net and begin building self-confidence through daily reflection.