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Do you believe in yourself? Do you think that you are able to 'get what you want'? Do you believe that you 'have what it takes'? Are you confident in your abilities? Do you have faith in your capacity to achieve your desires?
Many people don't realize that our beliefs play a significant role in shaping the answers to these questions.
Believing in ourselves is a fundamental aspect of achieving success and fulfillment in life. It serves as the foundation for the achievement of our goals and the realization of our hopes and dreams. When we have unwavering faith in our abilities and potential, we are much more likely to persevere in the face of challenges and setbacks.
Our belief in ourselves serves as a guiding light that shows us the path towards our aspirations. It empowers us to push beyond our comfort zone and to explore new horizons. It instills a sense of confidence that propels us forward, even when doubts creep in. When we trust in our capabilities and that we possess the necessary qualities to succeed, we are better equipped to navigate the complexities of life with resilience and determination.
Moreover, our beliefs shape our reality. If you believe that you are capable of achieving your goals, you are more likely to take the necessary actions to turn your aspirations into tangible outcomes. On the other hand, if you doubt yourself and question your abilities, you may inadvertently sabotage your own progress.
When we believe that we have the power to get what we want, we are already much closer to getting it.
According to Bandura (1997), self efficacy can be defined as “People’s beliefs about their capabilities to produce effects." and he found that our sense of self-efficacy (or this belief that we have about our abilities) "influences how we approach challenges, goals, and tasks.”
Bandura found that people with a strong sense of self-efficacy:
Develop deeper interest in the activities in which they participate.
Form a stronger sense of commitment to their interests and activities.
Recover quickly from setbacks and disappointments.
View challenging problems as tasks to be mastered.
On the contrary, people with a weak sense of self-efficacy:
Avoid challenging tasks.
Focus on personal failings and negative outcomes.
Quickly lose confidence in personal abilities.
Believe that difficult tasks and situations are beyond their capabilities.
While self-efficacy plays a vital role in personal growth and achievement by shaping individuals' attitudes towards tasks, their ability to handle challenges, and their determination to overcome obstacles, it is not an innate trait but rather a set of skills that can be acquired and honed. Developing self-efficacy involves a combination of factors such as setting realistic goals, seeking feedback, cultivating a growth mindset, and practicing self-compassion. By actively working on building self-efficacy, we can enhance our confidence, motivation, and resilience, which will ultimately lead us to greater achievements and fulfillment in various aspects of our lives.
Bandura suggests that self-efficacy can be enhanced through:
Mastery Experiences
Creating additional opportunities for mastery experiences is beneficial.
For example, take on a challenging hobby, start learning a new language, start playing an instrument. When you master a new skill or body of knowledge, don't forget to celebrate your success!
Social Modeling
Being attentive to those around us can be advantageous. We and select role models who engage in activities that we aspire to do. Observing their actions and achievements can inspire us to make an attempt as well. Remind yourself: "if ___ can achieve it, I can as well!"
Social Persuasion Our motivation is greatly affected by our friends and those around us. Thus, we need to choose our friends wisely and surround ourselves with positive people who motivate us and cheer for our success! These type of friends are likely to provide positive feedback that will make us feel good about ourselves.
Psychological Responses/Affect
Our mood and emotional regulation skills impact our self-efficacy.
It is advantageous to focus on developing the ability to manage our thoughts and emotions, as well as to increase positive experiences by engaging in activities that bring us joy and connections. For example, spending time with supportive friends and family, listening to music, reading books, connecting with nature, visiting museums, enrolling in classes, or watching uplifting movies can all contribute to boosting positivity.
It is essential to understand that enhancing your sense of efficacy is not an overnight achievement but rather a journey that requires patience and persistence. Setting small, achievable goals for every aspect of self-efficacy is a practical approach to steadily improve your confidence and capabilities. By breaking down the process into manageable steps, you can focus on making meaningful progress in building your self-efficacy.
You can use the following graphic as a prompt:
This skillset is based on the following research:
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W H Freeman/Times Books/Henry Holt & Co.