What is confidence | A self–fulfilling prophecy | Why I self-confidence important? | 5 ways to feel confident in yourself | How do I improve my self-confidence? |
How to feel confident about yourself and be the best version of yourself possible.
What is confidence?
Confidence is a state of being clear-headed either that a hypothesis or prediction is correct or that a chosen course of action is the best or most effective. (Wikipedia.com)
I’ve always looked at confidence from a generalized view. I.e. to feel confident is just being sure of yourself through every and any given situation and time.
However, during the course of researching this article, and talking to close family about the subject of confidence, I realized confidence is not as generalized as I thought. That is self-esteem.
Related: What is true happiness?
Generally, the feeling of confidence is created from something. It’s rooted and founded on a basis. Hence, the basis can be a belief: like how Christians are to feel confident in the spirit of God. This is the belief of Christianity: trusting God with your whole heart, and leaning not to your understanding (proverbs 3 vs 5)
The basis of confidence can also be a skill.
An optician is the best person to consult and take advice from concerning eye problems.
This is because they have spent years mastering the art and sciences of the human eye.
They are confident in their skill and this equally transfers to the patient who is paying for his services.
Chefs are confident in their cooking skills. Football ballers are evidently confident in their football skills, like Ronaldo, Messi, Mbappe, etc.
The basis of feeling confident can also be knowledge. My boyfriend is always making football bets because he is very confident in his football knowledge.
People who have in-depth knowledge of subjects or phenomena are confident in their knowledge.
As such, even if you woke them up impromptu, they would deliver with confidence that stems from their knowledge.
Self-fulfilling prophesy
The basis of confidence can also stem from future expectations. Psychology terms this confidence as a “self-fulfilling prophecy”.
According to Wikipedia.com, this is “the psychological phenomenon of someone “predicting” or expecting something, and this “prediction” or expectation coming true simply because the person believes or anticipates it will and the person’s resulting behaviors align to fulfill the belief”.
Simply put, I believe that if I work hard, put the right things in place, and focus with dedication, I would become successful.
It’s a prediction based on what I believe and know of successful people. They attribute their success to hard work and determination, tenacity of purpose. These expectations give me the confidence to run my race to be successful.
To feel confident in yourself is to be sure of yourself. However, this assurance can be founded on your skills, your ideas, your hopes, expectations, etc.
Why is self-confidence important?
Confidence is similar to an important ingredient in a meal. An egg is important to pasta making and sugar is necessary for confectionery. So also, feeling confident in yourself is important for your well-being.
Confidence is great for your physical, mental, and social well-being
When the WHO defines health, it’s the state of complete physical, social, emotional, and mental well-being of an individual…
This simply means an individual is only truly healthy when his mental, physical, social, and emotional state is completely at optimum state.
One of the things that tilt your mental health in a positive way is confidence. When you are confident in something, it’s easier on your health, the whole makeup of it.
Confidence helps make better decisions
To feel confident is an important subconscious factor in the process of making decisions. The definition of confidence emphasizes being clear-minded and sure of your choices, beliefs, and expectations,…
Your level of confidence affects your thinking process, which is a factor in knowing your true self. We are identified by our thinking process, attitudes emotions given various situations.
Hence, each of these things is lined subliminally or obviously with our levels of confidence. When. You’re confident and make better decisions, especially in your areas of strength.
Gaining confidence is self-care:
Basically, self-care encourages making better decisions for yourself. It’s being kind to yourself, being present in your life, listen to yourself. Be patient with yourself, spend time with yourself, and get to know yourself better.
These acts will make you feel and be confident in yourself, especially in building your self-esteem. Self-care is working on all your strengths, and weaknesses. Also, it’s embracing yourself and working toward personal development.
This is what builds self-confidence. The knowledge you have of yourself, especially through listening and observing your patterns, reactions, and emotions.
Knowing that you have a better knowledge of yourself which helps you associate better with other people. Also helps identify your strengths and weaknesses. When you care for yourself, you’re subconsciously building confidence in yourself, which is the dream.
Confidence works together with courage
Emphatically, a confident person is not afraid to take up tasks and responsibilities, and face new challenges.
Let’s assume I’m a confident chef, I’m confident in my abilities as a professional and passionate chef.
Eventually, the office of the prime minister of a well-respected country like the United Kingdom calls on my expertise to make a special meal. I would be overwhelmed with emotions. But no matter what, I will be confident in the skill that has brought me thus far: my cooking skill.
Obviously, I’d practice consciously to refresh my mind, do things to get me more inspired, etc. Evidently, being confident encourages you to take on challenging situations that are beneficial to you. You consider hurdles a partial requirement to reach your goal, and you’re sturdy in your purpose.
Confidence earns you respect among your peers and others:
Confidence is mostly noticed by other people and third parties. When you exude confidence it makes you stand out. In your place of work, say you work for a health firm, and you’re a heart specialist. You’ve gotten merited knowledge in your field of expertise and have concluded several successful feats in your field.
You will definitely be acknowledged by both positive and negative eyes. Some people express respect by being hateful. Likewise, others express respect through being respectful.
Either way, confidence in your field of expertise earns you respect among your peers in your field of expertise and even beyond.
Related: How to not judge people
how to feel confident about yourself
Abstain from negativity
Firstly, the journey of personal development has always been a tedious one, hence we should be very particular about our associations.
Low confidence can stem from the people you surround yourself with. They can be your friends, your family, your co-workers, your partners, etc.
In addition, anyone who actively tries to put you down or tries to discourage you, downplay your emotions, and blame you for everything and anything. Such are the people you should stay away from. Gaining confidence takes heavy responsibility from us.
Therefore it makes no sense to work hard to build your confidence while still being surrounded by negativity which never sees the good you’re trying to do for yourself. Misery loves company, avoid the company of those who are miserably and trying to rub off on you.
Actively participate in your interests:
Furthermore, one of the things that serve as a great panacea for confidence is the assurance of ability in knowledge or expectations. So, find something you’re passionate about and invest your time into such. In return, the more you work on sharpening your skill and Knowledge set, the more your confidence grows.
Your prowess in your field of interest is a great source of confidence because nothing can dwindle your shine in your profession, except maybe occasional doubts which everyone is susceptible to. Do something you like, gain new knowledge, and work towards achieving your goals.
Take care of yourself
Confidence only grows in fertile ground. If you’re in an infertile place, you can’t exude or grow confidence. Toxicity in life and relationships with others or yourself is a destroyer of confidence. Create time to always look after yourself, at all times. Never overlook your needs, emotions, feelings, mind, body, and soul.
Always take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally as well as socially. Always create time to listen to what you need. Clean up your space, commit to what you do, create a better environment for yourself, and eat healthy meals. It doesn’t mean you’re shoving it in everyone’s face that you’re the real deal, that’s arrogance.
Confidence is just between you and your knowledge: it’s not too much or too little. It’s realistic, it’s courageous, and it’s brave.
Avoid being too confident else you will hamper your own progress with sheer folly.
In the same light, avoid having too little confidence else you become susceptible to external influences and not in a positive way.
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You can’t be confident in all things and at all times
Everything in life is mostly in moderation including feelings of confidence. It’s okay to have moments of uncertainty and doubt. Don’t push yourself too hard when you’re feeling these emotions. This is the best time to dedicate time and nature your feelings, take a break, and chill.
Every person is a human and this means they’re subject to negative emotions as well. Sometimes, it’s better to set boundaries for yourself, like okay this is my limit, this is the most I can do. Please always take a break, emotional burnout is a real deal and can be very hard to manage.
Practice contentment
one sure way to fall fast is by comparing yourself with others. You are not the same as the next person. Although comparison is a natural emotion, the results can lead to greater negative emotions like envy and self-hate, which we already know are toxic traits.
Practice contentment, be grateful instead for what you have, you’re journey is different, and your story is different.
Identifying yourself can really help in toning down these negative emotions. Identify and remember your own strengths and focus on that. Express gratitude, journal your gratitude, practice positive affirmations, and self-care.
Take this time to be thankful so you don’t head down the oath of destruction by comparing yourself with others. Never take life as a competition.
Practice satisfaction with what you have. Even if you want more, that should be from your own assessment of your own situation, not the judgment of other people’s situations.
Confidence is not perfection or the absence of mistakes, Confidence is rising from mistakes through consistency and contentment
Rythmfiend.com
Can I learn to be confident?
While some are born confident, others aren’t. Thankfully, we can learn the concept of confidence. Only through determination, focus, and dedication. We have already established that confidence needs a foundation. It needs to stem from a source.
There may not be anyone who is confident in 100% aspects of their lives, which means you have every aspect of your life in check, and that would make you a God.
Life is composed of many different but related aspects. As an individual with self-identity, you can discern the aspects of your life which can need a boost of confidence.
Need confidence in your cognition? investing in education can prove to be a sure way to improve your cognition thereby achieving your goal. Consistently focusing on your field of study, the skill you’re trying to gain, overtime practice makes permanence.
Do you lack confidence in your physical appearance? and although the concept of beauty is subjective, finding your own definition of beauty, is key. Adjust your standards of beauty to suit you, not society’s set standard. Find Skincare that is suitable for your skin, clothes that work for you, and the right meal plan, among others, are all factors that aid in improving your physical appearance.
If you’re lacking confidence in your ability to control your emotions, finding professional help, practicing self-love, and spending quality time with yourself are examples of ways you can boost your emotional management path.
These are just a few examples of ways confidence can be learned. It is built over time through consistency. The more you consciously make an effort to take the steps to gain it, the closer you get to being confident.