In this article, we will discuss the different dimensions of self-confidence. First, we will fully explain the common mistake about the definition of self-confidence or self-belief, and then we will learn different ways to increase and manage it by addressing the types of self-confidence, and finally, as always, we will conclude the article with a real example from the references.
We always know that having self-confidence can bring great results. I, “Jason Shahdoost,” believe that managing self-confidence in different situations can bring you extraordinary results.
What is self-confidence?
Defining self-confidence can be done in two ways:
- Believe that you can Achieve success and mastery, in other words, believe that you have the capacity and ability. I will explain it by giving an example:
Example 1: Mr. Alpha said in the meeting that I can’t succeed in my business; that is, I can, but it seems like something is stopping me from achieving this success.
Jason: What is stopping you?
Mr. Alpha: I think my self-confidence is low, because many times I think about doing something; but I tell myself no, dad, this is hard or it’s not my job.
Jason: You made an interesting point. You can achieve success in business; But it seems like you still don’t believe it yourself and think that getting rich and earning a high income is difficult or if it is not difficult, it is none of your business.
- Self-confidence may be about a specific activity (meaning that you only lack self-confidence in that matter) or it can return to all your abilities in life in very problematic situations.
A very important point about this is that you may not have enough self-confidence in your business; but you may have enough self-confidence in your relationships or, conversely, you may not have self-confidence in your relationship with the opposite sex; but you may have self-confidence in your studies or in your work.
So it is very important to be aware that a lack of self-confidence in one issue does not mean that you have no self-confidence at all.
Types of Self-Confidence
Unfortunately, in the definition of self-confidence and self-esteem are not properly separated, and in many cases these two issues are confused with each other. It is necessary to be aware that self-esteem and self-confidence are two completely separate categories. Next, we will define self-esteem and then the difference between these two definitions.
It is very important to remember that by changing the definitions, we can create a change in our being.
False Self-Confidence
False self-confidence is interpreted as a type of perceptual error in which a person makes a wrong judgment about various issues and is confident in its correctness; If these judgments are not correct and go beyond the facts, we will show the difference between true self-confidence and false self-confidence with an example: True self-confidence: I accept criticism about myself and seek help from them for my own growth. False self-confidence: I don’t care about other people’s criticisms because I am the best. High self-confidence can be defined as follows: When we are confident in our abilities, we succeed in our work. We also become happier and feel better about our abilities because of our successes. Therefore, this chain makes us perform our activities with better energy and motivation.
High self-confidence can be interpreted through the stages of this cycle and the person’s focus on achieving goals.
Factors affecting high self-confidence
If a person is proud of something, their self-confidence in that area increases, in other words, when a person is satisfied with what they have done, their self-confidence in that area increases. It goes.
In addition, success can also have a direct impact on the growth and decline of a person’s self-confidence.
How to build high self-confidence
- Having a suitable role model
- Praise and compliments
- Focusing on the positives
- Setting goals and achieving them
- Positive self-talk
- Physical activities
- Forgiving past mistakes
- Practising talents and skills
- Learning new things
- Getting the right amount of rest and relaxation
Low self-confidence
Of course, low self-esteem is the opposite of high self-esteem. In other words, low self-esteem is when a person has feelings such as worthlessness, inadequacy, and also embarrassment in doing things.
Low self-esteem causes a person to ignore their own abilities and have a negative view of life and themselves. In such a situation, the person is vulnerable to environmental factors and the feelings that exist in the person’s mind are not rooted in reality.
Reasons for low self-esteem
The following things reduce and destroy self-esteem:
- Comparing yourself to others
- Having a negative role model
- Constantly criticizing yourself
- Underestimating your abilities
- Excessive perfectionism
- Continuous failure
- Separation from relationships
- Improper diet, lack of exercise and irregular sleep
Symptoms of lack of self-esteem
No one is completely without self-confidence. All humans have self-confidence; however, its level may vary in different situations. By following the methods and exercises in this article and using coaching, you can significantly increase your self-confidence.
Factors that contribute to low self-confidence
When a person makes a mistake, is rejected, or receives unhealthy criticism, self-confidence decreases.
The result of the above events is doubting one’s own abilities, which leads to a decrease in self-confidence.
In other words, using one’s abilities to achieve success and achieve that success increases self-confidence, and not using abilities properly or doubting abilities decreases self-confidence.
Disadvantages of high self-confidence or false self-confidence
Sometimes having too much self-confidence can lead to Narcissism leads to: Note that having self-confidence and trying to increase it is very effective and excellent in various situations; But if we are not careful, we may sometimes mistakenly become narcissistic.
To understand the line between the two correctly, look at yourself and see if you are ready to question and change yourself in different situations and if this change is happening in different parts of your life. No.
Self-confidence in different people and situations
When we talk about self-confidence in different people, we must state that self-confidence is not a stable characteristic. In other words, we can increase the level of real self-confidence according to our abilities through practice and education.
Also, the level of self-confidence according to our abilities may change from one situation to another. For example, a person may have great art in calligraphy, but not be specialized in cooking. So in these cases, self-confidence in one subject differs from another, and this is completely natural. Next, we will discuss self-confidence in different people:
Self-confidence in children
Usually, the first sparks of self-confidence in children form between the ages of 3 and 5, although according to many psychologists, this process takes place at younger ages. Undoubtedly, self-confidence in children depends a lot on the world around them and the behavior of their parents.
During childhood, parents and those around them are very important in building self-confidence, because they can teach children to learn positive self-confidence by allowing them the right independence and freedom.
In short, when parents are aware of the needs and requirements of the child’s age and respect these, they help to form self-confidence in children.
Self-confidence in adolescents
Adolescence is one of the most important age stages in people. Simply put, it is when a person is neither a child nor old enough to have intellectual independence.
Most adolescents become sensitive individuals during this period of life. For this reason, it is necessary to increase self-confidence in adolescents to prepare them to deal with the challenges, dissatisfactions, and problems of life that they will face.
Self-confidence in adolescents makes them pursue their goals better and achieve them with their own efforts. On the other hand, having self-confidence helps them to successfully spend their youth and establish better relationships. Self-confidence plays an important role in a teenager’s success at this stage of life.
Self-confidence in students
So far, we have understood that the role of high self-confidence in success is very important and on the other hand, what effect does low self-confidence have. This also applies to students, when they do not have the necessary self-confidence to do something, it causes them to create a negative mental image in the minds of others. So it is necessary to prevent this problem and not let this situation weaken their self-confidence.
Self-confidence in students has a direct impact on their future lives and makes them feel good and have better relationships with friends, students, and family.
Self-confidence at work
Many people are pursuing self-confidence in work and business; But does this type of self-confidence exist?
Yes, as mentioned, self-confidence may vary depending on different environments.
To increase self-confidence at work, refer to the section High self-confidence and building it.
Self-confidence in romantic relationships
It often happens that we encounter problems in emotional relationships and cannot even express and express a very simple word correctly. To solve this problem, we must be careful that there are various issues in the relationship section, which is recommended to refer to the article Successful married relationship.
The difference between self-confidence and self-esteem
- Both are related to your perception and perception of yourself, self-confidence is your perception of your abilities, and self-esteem is your value and worth
- These two approaches are very close to each other, and generally low self-confidence leads to low self-esteem and vice versa.
What is self-esteem?
It is your opinion of yourself and your worth, which is generally based on your actual success compared to your potential (claimed) success. (The estimate of potential success that we have become aware of through our values, ideals, and desires)
Self-esteem is formed at the top of the pyramid by our judgment of ourselves, and can be increased or decreased in the subsequent stages of family, school, work situation, and peer group.
Increasing Self-Confidence (6 Practical Methods)
As you have realized so far, self-confidence is an acquired method and can be increased within yourself. Below are 6 practical ways to boost your self-confidence:
Going on a trip of your own choosing
Choosing a travel destination is something you need to do this time. This method helps a lot in creating intellectual independence.
Becoming an artist in cooking a new dish
Knowing that if a mistake is made in cooking the food, the mistake can be used to make it better the next time
Playing with mud and dirt
This method helps a lot in that even in the worst of situations, one can enjoy it
Solving a puzzle with the brainstorming method
Using the brainstorming method means finding several solutions to a puzzle and solving it
Do something new and exciting
For example, men can prepare a full meal and serve it to the family, or women can drive or gas up the car for a day with the support of their husbands.