Self-confidence is an attitude
which allows individuals to have positive yet realistic views of themselves
and their situations. Self-confident people trust their own abilities,
have a general sense of control in their lives, and 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 who are not self-confident depend excessively on
the approval of others in order to feel good about themselves. They tend
to avoid taking risks because they fear failure. They generally do not
expect to be successful. They often put themselves down and tend to discount
or ignore compliments paid to them. By contrast, self-confident people
are willing to risk the disapproval of others because they generally trust
their own abilities. They tend to accept themselves; they don't feel they
have to conform in order to be accepted.
Self-confidence is not necessarily a general characteristic
which pervades all aspects of a person's life. Typically, individuals
will have some areas of their lives where they feel quite confident, e.g.,academics,
athletics, while at the same time they do not feel at all confident in
other areas, e.g., personal appearance, social relationships.
How is Self-Confidence Initially Developed?
Many factors affect the development of self-confidence. Parents' attitudes
are crucial to children's feelings about themselves, particularly in children's
early years. 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 independence, children may come to believe they
are incapable, inadequate, or inferior. However, if parents encourage
children's moves toward self-reliance and accept and love their children
when they make mistakes, children will learn to accept themselves and
will be on their way to developing self-confidence.
Surprisingly, lack of self-confidence is not necessarily
related to lack of ability. Instead it is often the result of focusing
too much on the unrealistic expectations or standards of others, especially
parents and society. Friends' influences can be as powerful or more powerful
than those of parents and society in shaping feelings about one's self.
Students in their college years re-examine values and develop their own
identities and thus are particularly vulnerable to the influence of friends.
Fleet Hypnosis can help you build up your self esteem by
finding where in your past you began to have self doubts and influencing
your subconscious to become more trusting of your own abilities. |