SELF CONFIDENCE
Self-confident individuals:
-
Have positive yet realistic views of themselves and their situations.
-
Are willing to risk disapproval from others.
-
Trust their own abilities.
-
Tend to accept themselves.
-
Do not feel they have to conform in order to be accepted.
-
Have a general sense of control in their lives.
-
Believe that, within reason, they will be able to do what they wish, plan, and expect.
Having self-confidence does not mean that individuals will be able to do everything. Self-confident people have expectations that are realistic. Even when some of their expectations are not met, they continue to be positive and to accept themselves.
People lacking self-confidence:
-
Depend excessively on the approval of others in order to feel good about themselves.
-
Tend to avoid taking risks because they fear failure.
-
Generally do not expect to be successful.
-
Often put themselves down.
-
Tend to discount or ignore compliments paid to them.
You might be self confident in one area of your life (academics, athletics) but not another (personal appearance, social relationships.
How is Self-Confidence Initially Developed?
Childhood is important. When parents provide acceptance, children receive a solid foundation for good feelings about themselves. If one or both parents are excessively critical or demanding, or if they are overprotective and discourage moves toward self-reliance a child can quickly lose confidence in themselves. Parents who accept and love their children when they make mistakes, help their children to accept themselves and encourage the development of self-confidence.
Lack of self-confidence is not necessarily related to lack of ability. Rather, it is often the result of focusing too much on the unrealistic expectations or standards of others, especially parents and society. The influences of friends can be as powerful or more powerful than those of parents and society in shaping feelings about one's self. Students at university often re-examine values and develop their own identities and thus are particularly vulnerable to the influence of friends.
Strategies for Developing Confidence
-
Emphasize Strengths. Give yourself credit for everything you try. By focusing on what you can do, you applaud yourself for efforts rather than emphasising end products. Starting from a base of what you might do helps you live within the bounds of your inevitable limitations.
-
Take Risks. Approach new experiences as opportunities to learn rather than occasions to win or lose. Doing so opens you up to new possibilities and can increase your sense of self-acceptance. Not doing so turns every possibility into an opportunity for failure, and inhibits personal growth.
-
Use Self-Talk. Use self-talk as an opportunity to counter harmful assumptions. Then, tell yourself to "stop" and substitute more reasonable assumptions. For example, when you catch yourself expecting perfection, remind yourself that you cannot do everything perfectly, that it is only possible to try to do things and to try to do them well. This allows you to accept yourself while still striving to improve.
-
Self-Evaluate. Learn to evaluate yourself independently. Doing so allows you to avoid the constant sense of turmoil that comes from relying exclusively on the opinions of others. Focusing internally on how you feel about your own behavior, work, etc. will give you a stronger sense of self and will prevent you from giving your personal power away to others.
in this competetive world one needs self-confidence....to face the reality..
i hope this article has been useful to those who read..!!!
plz leave ur comments....
Back to Community Shelf
1 Nickels awarded!![[Post New]](/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
76
