Balance on Trolltunga

Perspectives on Self-Confidence

by Kalinda Rose Stevenson
It's so important to believe in yourself.
Believe that you can do it, under any circumstances.
Because if you believe you can, then you really will.
That belief just keeps you searching for the answers,
and then pretty soon you get it.
Wally Amos

What Is Self-Confidence?

Perspectives on Self-Confidence focuses on how you can change your perspective on your own ability to do what you choose to do. The definition of confidence comes from the Latin com and fidere. Com meanswith” and fidere meansfaith, belief, trust, confidence.” 

Self-confidence is faith, belief, trust, and confidence in yourself. Each of these words comes down to the same meaning. You believe that you can do what you need to do and what you choose to do.

What’s the Problem?

The opposite of self-confidence can also be described with a wide range of words, including “anxiety, fear, dread, and self-doubt.” Whatever the specific definition of these words and whatever words you use to describe your life, they all boil down to one experience. You don’t believe in yourself. You don’t trust that you can take care of yourself. You don’t have faith that you can accomplish your dreams. You don’t have confidence in yourself.

The distinction between self-confidence and self-doubt affects every aspect of your life, throughout your life. When you were a young child or teenager, you were vulnerable and unable to take care of yourself. If you were fortunate, you grew up in the care of responsible, loving, and encouraging adults who taught you self-confidence. If you were not so fortunate, you grew up in an anxiety-producing environment that created self-doubt, anxiety, and fear.

The problem is: How do you overcome a legacy of doubt and learn how to build self-confidence in yourself?

The Life-Changing Question

How could your life change if you choose to live from a perspective of self-confidence rather than a perspective of self-doubt? Are you willing to transform earlier fear and self-doubt into self-confidence? Adulthood is a time to trust yourself that you can take care of yourself. You can accomplish your dreams. You can increase your self-esteem about the value of your life. This what self-confidence does for you. You believe in your own ability to do what you choose to do. Building self-confidence is not easy if you are carrying a legacy of childhood anxiety. Overcoming that legacy can be difficult but it's worth whatever effort it takes to build your own self-confidence.

The life-changing question is: How can you live your life from a perspective of self-confidence?

[Original Post October 4, 2017]

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