The Definition of Self-Confidence

The Definition of Self-Confidence
Photo Credit confident business man image by Ricardo Verde Costa from Fotolia.com

Self-confidence is a person's internal representation of her own power to perform well within certain circumstances and settings. Self-confidence is the basic element of achievement. A confident person is, in fact, a deliberate creator. She believes in her ability to manifest whatever is needed to accomplish any task at hand. Having a high degree of self-confidence allows you the poise needed to pursue a purposeful goal and enables you to take responsibility for the conditions of your life. However, there are many aspects of self-confidence that go beyond those which are normally acknowledged.

Self-Fulfillment

The moment you accept that an idea is true, you begin to act on it. You then start to collect data, from your environment, that supports what you already believe. This is especially accurate in relation to how you perceive yourself. Because your level of self-confidence illustrates what you believe yourself to be capable of achieving, it is a prophecy that ends up fulfilling itself. As you become more confident, you find more evidence to prove your abilities. For this reason, self-confidence is not only a creation of past circumstances, but it is also a projection of your future.

Truthfulness

A self-confident person can, comfortably, challenge his views of whatever circumstances exist. He has no need to hold on to "mistaken certainties," convictions based in self-deception and wishful thinking. Because he is never in avoidance of the truth, the self-confident person responds to reality as it is and attends to his life's greatest purpose in every moment. The act of defending a misconception only keeps it locked into place. However, the ability to reassess your assumptions openly allows you the freedom to move forward and fosters a state of continuous growth.

Freedom

Self-confidence means self-reliance. A person, who relies on the input of others to determine her value, is always looking for resources that lie without the realm of her control. However, the individual possessing a self-contained position of power appoints herself as judge over the circumstances present in her life.

Self-Acceptance

Self-acceptance is the impression that you are valuable as an individual, one that does not need the validation of others in your environment to realize. A person with low self-confidence will often belittle himself in caparison to those he admires. This attitude creates, within him, a sense of inferiority to others that he deems to be, inherently, more intelligent, capable or deserving than himself. Contrarily, a self-confident individual sees herself as a whole, special personality. Only by first accepting who you are can you begin to achieve your ideal personality.

Example

People, who feel inadequate, teach inadequacy to those who look for them to lead. This is one of the main reasons that psychological disorders tend to run in families. However, a self-confident person demonstrates no lack or need of affirmation from those whom he encounters. Therefore, a person who has developed a high sense of self-confidence naturally encourages others to do the same.

References

Article reviewed by Helen Covington Last updated on: May 20, 2010

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments