Have you felt the boost of confidence you get when you learn something new?

It could be a skill, like swimming, or it could just be some random fact about the planet Earth, or what dogs are capable of learning, or a small thing you can do to improve your relationship.

That’s why I typically start of my day with listening to a little bit of an audio book or podcast that will help me grow (after I do my Wim Hof breathing!)

And this is why I look forward to events or practices where I need to stretch a little to understand something, and “do it right”.

Recently I finished up an Improv class. Every week for 6 weeks I was pushed to the edge of my comfort zone!

But with each class, I came away with a tiny bit more confidence. I did it, and it wasn’t perfect, but it was better than I was before.

This is why we believe so strongly in the concept of mini-habits here at Tri Swim Coach (and The Fit Triathlete).

Want to build a habit or learn how to do something?

Instead of thinking about all the things you will need to do, take the pressure off of yourself, and start small.

Then make that first step even smaller.

For example, if you wanted to get into the habit of exercising in the morning, instead of saying “tomorrow I will run 5 miles at 5:30 am!” make your goal smaller.

It could be just 1 mile even if you’re used to running 5+.

Even better, it could be just getting all your running gear on and getting out the door. The rest is a bonus.

Or even better, your entire goal is just waking up at 5:30 and putting on your running shoes.

The same can be easily done with swimming.

Swimsuit on can be your mini habit!

Or jumping in the pool.

Or it could even be really, really small like “pack my swim bag”.

Who cares what it is? The idea it to build the habit.

You will build with easy repetition, not setting huge goals that will likely never be accomplished.

And every single time you accomplish that goal, you build a tiny bit of confidence.

You can build healthy habits AND confidence at the same time, and over time, you will not only feel better about yourself overall, you will have that new thing you are doing on auto-pilot, so no thought goes into it.

And if you happen to miss a day? It feels strange, and you actually default to going right back to the habit the next day.

Try it and let us know how it goes!

Enjoy your week!