What is Self Confidence?

Understanding what is self confidence can help you to increase it in yourself as well as help you to move beyond some of the negative ideas associated with it.

Self confidence is one of those terms that can be interpreted many ways, and sometimes is seen as a negative trait rather than a positive one. The following examination of self confidence will help you to better understand it and to distinguish it from other related things.

The Key to Understanding What is Self Confidence

Self confidence is really a set of beliefs about your ability to accomplish what you set out to do. For some people it is based on past experiences where they were able to achieve great results. For others it's a deep belief that they have the potential to accomplish whatever they set out to do.

The key point is that self confidence is really a based on a set of beliefs about yourself about your current and future potential to perform well and achieve what you set out to do.

It's all in your head, based on your current model of reality and beliefs about yourself. This means you have the power to change and increase your level of self confidence.

Self Confidence vs Arrogance

A very important key in understanding what is self confidence is distinguishing between confidence and arrogance. Some people see self confidence in a negative light, and may resist trying to build it up. They may be confusing confidence with arrogance.

The difference between self confidence and arrogance is the scope in which it is applied. An arrogant person believes they are better than others, there is a feeling a superiority and specialness. In contrast, a self confident person believes he/she has the potential to be successful in their endeavors.

The key distinction is that self confidence does not need to involve comparisons to anyone else- it is an internal belief about your abilities and potential. Arrogance is dependent on comparing yourself to other people and coming out superior.

Self Confidence and Self Esteem

These are two concepts that are closely intertwined, but are subtly different. Self esteem really refers to your current assessment of yourself, your feelings of self worth, whereas self confidence is more about your ability and potential to accomplish specific actions and goals.

Self esteem is more of a global assessment of your worth and is far more general in nature. Having high self confidence will lead to more accomplishment in life, a better positive attitude and can ultimately increase your feelings of self worth and esteem.

Confidence goes a long way in helping you to tackle challenges and perform well, and in the process of accomplishing things your self esteem will be reinforced and increased.

Self Confidence and Performance

There is an interesting phenomenon that can occur with self confidence called self fulfilling prophecy. Having high self confidence may cause you to act in ways that help you succeed, whereas someone with the same level of ability and potential but with lower self confidence may fail.

Believing you can succeed may mean you take more chances, act more decisively, and push yourself to grow and develop more as you work towards goals. Self confidence enhances your ability to perform well.

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