
THE CONFIDENCE LEAK
Last week, I asked a high-level executive a simple question:
"When was the last time you felt truly confident?"
He froze. Successful guy. Big title. Good family. Solid list of accomplishments. But he couldn’t answer.
And that’s the story for a lot of men right now. On paper, they look strong. Inside, they feel weak, lost, frustrated, confused. There’s a confidence leak.
Here’s the problem: we’ve confused achievement with confidence. They’re not the same thing.
Achievement is external. It’s built on promotions, applause, approval.
Confidence is internal. It’s built on trust in yourself.
And when you build your sense of self on things outside your control - promotions, approval, results - you're building on sand.The survey data proved it. Hundreds of men responded. Many couldn’t even recall their last confident moment. Many answered with their last achievement - promotion, closed sale, winning season. Despite success. Despite accomplishments. Despite appearances. Most men don’t feel confident. And it’s heartbreaking.
Confidence isn’t built by what happens to you. It’s built by what happens through you.
Every time you:
Hit snooze instead of getting up
Avoid a hard conversation
Choose comfort over what you know is right
Break a promise you made to yourself
…The Drift wins. Because you don’t just wake up and not feel confident, it’s a place you drift to over time.
And your subconscious keeps score. Small betrayals add up. Just like you stop trusting someone who constantly breaks their word, you stop trusting yourself when you don’t keep yours.
And when trust erodes, confidence disappears.
The truth is simple: Confidence comes from keeping commitments to yourself. Be someone who follows through.
📌 QUOTE OF THE WEEK "Self-trust is the first secret of success." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
🧠 INSIGHT: Confidence isn't about big wins. It's about keeping your word to yourself in the small moments when nobody's watching.
NO DRIFT CHALLENGE
Choose ONE daily commitment that you'll make and keep for the next 7 days. Something simple:
Wake up at 6:00 AM
Do 20 push-ups
Read for 15 minutes
No phone for the first hour
Whatever it is, make it clear. Make it measurable.
I’d love to hear how you are fighting The Drift this week. Reply to this email to let me know. Even better, post it on Instagram and tag @no.drift.
CLOSING THOUGHT
Confidence isn’t lost in a single moment. It leaks away one small compromise at a time. The good news? You can rebuild it the same way: one kept promise at a time. Start today. Stack wins. Build confidence.
For you,
Kevin
Thanks for reading this. Share it with anybody you think would find it useful. And as a reminder, NO DRIFT is not mine it is ours. I want to know what you think, what you want to hear about, what you are learning. All feedback is welcomed.