Self-Belief, Self-Efficacy, Motivation and Confidence.

In 2013, I was in California on a road trip with my children and while I was there, I attended a workshop with BJ Fogg on “Tiny Habits”.? At the workshop we also had highfliers from some of the top companies in tech such as Google, Oracle.? During one of the conversations with the lady from Google I was introduced to Badura and the idea of Self Efficacy and why Google particularly looked for people with a high degree of Self Efficacy.

We are all familiar with the virtuous circle and cumulative success where success builds on success and the negative spiral when we cease to believe in ourselves.

Overtime I have contemplated on the whole connection between Self Belief, Self-Efficacy, Mastery and Confidence and its importance to our “success” and sense of purpose and how they are interconnected. (Mastery is a topic I first came across in Senge’s Fifth Discipline in the 1990s and his whole concept of the learning organisation which has very much shaped my thinking both about personal growth and vibrant organisations being learning organisations).

I have also explored what and why we can sometimes lose our sense of self belief and purpose and the importance of a support network in those dark moments when we fall.

My aim in sharing my thoughts is to help you if you are in a dark moment in your life or if you are looking to go further and help you climb the peak you wish to climb.?

"A friend is someone who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself."

In many ways the hero's journey is also about the self belief and self doubt and often the role of the mentor is to help the hero find themselves and believe in themselves and their true purpose.

Why Is Self-Belief Important

Self-belief is crucial for personal growth, success, and wellbeing. Self-belief is a foundational aspect of personal development and success. While it's important to have a realistic understanding of one's abilities, nurturing a positive belief in oneself is key to unlocking potential and leading a fulfilling life

It influences many aspects of life, including:

1.???? Goal Achievement:?Believing in your ability to succeed motivates you to set and pursue challenging goals. It helps overcome obstacles and persist in the face of setbacks.

2.???? Resilience:?Self-belief fosters resilience by providing the confidence needed to bounce back from failures and adapt to change. It helps maintain a positive outlook during difficult times.

3.???? Mental Health:?A strong sense of self-belief is linked to higher self-esteem and lower levels of anxiety and depression. It can improve overall mental wellbeing by reducing self-doubt and negative self-talk.

4.???? Decision-making:?Confidence in your own abilities can lead to better decision-making. It helps you trust your judgments and take calculated risks when necessary.

5.???? Relationships:?Self-belief can positively impact relationships, as it enables individuals to communicate more effectively, set boundaries, and express their needs and desires without fear.

6.???? Performance:?Whether in academics, sports, or the workplace, self-belief often translates into improved performance. It encourages individuals to put in the effort and focus required to excel.

What undermines Self Belief?

1. Negative Self Talk:

?? ?Constantly thinking or speaking negatively about oneself can diminish self-belief. Phrases like "I'm not good enough" or "I always fail" reinforce a negative self-image.

2. Past Failures and Mistakes:

?? ?Dwelling on past failures or mistakes can lead to a fear of failure and self-doubt. It can make individuals hesitant to try new things or pursue goals, believing that they are incapable of succeeding.

3. Criticism and Negative Feedback:

?? ?Persistent criticism from others, especially from authority figures or loved ones, can undermine self-belief. Even well-intentioned feedback can be damaging if not delivered constructively.

4. Comparisons with Others:

?? ?Constantly comparing oneself to others, particularly in the age of social media, can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Seeing others' successes and perceived perfection can make one's own achievements seem less significant.

5. Unrealistic Expectations:

?? ?Setting unrealistically high standards for oneself can lead to chronic disappointment and self-criticism. When these expectations are not met, it can damage self-belief.

6. Lack of Support:

?? ?A lack of emotional support or encouragement from family, friends, or colleagues can hinder the development of self-belief. Supportive relationships are crucial for building confidence and self-esteem.?

7. Perfectionism:

?? ?The pursuit of perfection can lead to chronic dissatisfaction and self-doubt. Perfectionists often focus on their flaws and shortcomings, which undermines our self-belief.

8. Stress and Mental Health Issues:

?? ?High levels of stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues can erode self-belief. These conditions often involve negative thought patterns and a reduced sense of self-worth.

9. Societal and Cultural Pressures:

?? ?Cultural norms and societal expectations can also impact self-belief. For instance, stereotypes and biases related to gender, race, or socioeconomic status can make individuals feel less capable or valued.

10. Lack of Success or Recognition:

??? ?Not achieving desired goals or lacking recognition for one's efforts can diminish self-belief. Repeated experiences of this kind can lead to a sense of helplessness or futility.?

To counter these undermining factors, it's important to cultivate a supportive environment, practice self-compassion, and focus on personal growth rather than comparison with others. Building self-belief is a continuous process that involves challenging negative thoughts, setting realistic goals, and celebrating progress and achievements.

How Trauma impacts Self Belief?

Trauma can have a profound and often long-lasting impact on self-belief. The effects of trauma on an individual's self-concept and confidence can vary depending on the nature of the trauma, the person's resilience, and the support they receive afterward. Here are some ways in which trauma can affect self-belief:

1. Diminished Self-worth:

?? ?Trauma, particularly if it involves abuse or neglect, can lead to feelings of worthlessness or low self-esteem. Individuals may internalize the negative experiences, believing that they deserved the trauma or that it occurred because they are inherently flawed.?

2. Negative Self-image:

?? ?Traumatic experiences can distort one's self-image, leading to persistent negative thoughts about oneself. For example, survivors may see themselves as weak, damaged, or unlovable.

3. Increased Self-doubt:

?? ?Trauma can undermine an individual's confidence in their abilities and judgment. This can manifest as self-doubt, making it challenging to trust oneself or make decisions.

4. Helplessness and Powerlessness:

?? ?Experiencing trauma, especially repeated or severe incidents, can lead to a sense of helplessness. This feeling of being unable to control or change one's circumstances can erode self-belief and foster a sense of powerlessness.

5. Avoidance and Fear:

?? ?Trauma can cause individuals to avoid situations or activities that remind them of the traumatic event. This avoidance can limit personal growth and prevent individuals from taking on new challenges, further diminishing their self-belief.

6. Difficulty with Trust and Relationships:

?? ?Trauma can make it difficult to trust others, which can hinder the formation of supportive relationships. Without positive reinforcement and encouragement from others, it can be harder to rebuild self-belief.

7. Persistent Negative Emotions:

?? ?Trauma often leads to negative emotions such as shame, guilt, anger, or fear. These emotions can contribute to a negative self-view and erode self-belief.

8. Impact on Mental Health:

?? ?Trauma is linked to various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can exacerbate feelings of low self-worth and undermine confidence.

9. Internalized Stigma:

?? ?In some cases, trauma survivors may internalize societal stigma related to their experiences, such as stigmas associated with mental health, abuse, or addiction. This internalization can further damage self-belief.

Healing and Rebuilding Self-belief:

Recovery from trauma and rebuilding self-belief is a gradual process that often involves therapy and support. Key strategies include:

?Therapeutic Support: Professional therapy, such as cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT) or trauma focused therapy, can help individuals process their experiences and develop healthier thought patterns.

?Building Resilience: Developing coping skills and resilience can help individuals navigate challenges and build confidence.

?Positive Relationships: Supportive relationships with friends, family, or support groups can provide encouragement and a sense of belonging.

?Self-Compassion: Practicing self-compassion and selfcare can help individuals be kinder to themselves and rebuild a positive self-image.

Rebuilding self-belief after trauma is a challenging journey, but with the right support and strategies, individuals can recover and regain confidence in themselves.

Why Self-belief is a prerequisite to others believing in ourselves.

One of the things people consciously and subconsciously pick up on is whether the see us as a “winner” (or an “energy or emotional vampire”) is when we believe in ourselves and are positive, driven, calm (or anxious) and exude positive energy.

People who believe in themselves are open to listening to and exploring other people’s views and ideas and willing to adapt and change because they have an inner calm and sense of self. People pick up and connect with this.

When we are unsure or uncertain we cling to the wrong beliefs and aren't open to other ways of thinking as a protective mechanism.

People often gauge someone's self-belief through various observable traits and behaviours. These indicators can influence others' trust and confidence in that person.

People will see our self-belief through the following indicators.

1. Confidence in Communication:

?? ?Body Language: Good posture, steady eye contact, and relaxed gestures often suggest confidence.

?? ?Speech: Speaking clearly, assertively, and without hesitation indicates self-assurance.

2. Consistency in Actions:

?? ?Reliability: Consistently following through on commitments shows reliability and confidence in one's abilities.

?? ?Decision-making: Making decisions decisively and standing by them, even under pressure, reflects self-confidence.

3. Resilience and Positivity:

?? ?Handling Failure: Responding to setbacks with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn demonstrates resilience and belief in one's ability to overcome challenges.

?? ?Optimism: A positive outlook, especially in difficult situations, often inspires confidence in others.?

4. Expertise and Competence:

?? ?Knowledge: Demonstrating a strong grasp of one's field or expertise can instil confidence in others.

?? ?Skills: Displaying competence through effective problem-solving and skilful execution of tasks builds trust.

5. Authenticity and Integrity:

?? ?Authenticity: Being genuine and true to oneself indicates a strong sense of self-worth and belief.

?? ?Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and being honest fosters trust and respect from others.

6. Emotional Stability:

?? ?Calmness under Pressure: Maintaining composure in stressful situations suggests confidence and control.

?? ?Self-Regulation: Managing emotions effectively shows maturity and self-awareness.

7. Willingness to Take Risks:

?? ?Initiative: Taking initiative and not shying away from challenges or new opportunities indicates confidence in one's abilities.

?? ?Admitting Mistakes: Acknowledging mistakes and taking responsibility without defensiveness reflects self-assuredness.?

When people observe these qualities, they are more likely to trust and believe in our capabilities and judgment. It's important to note that these traits should be genuine, as inauthentic displays can undermine trust. Developing and nurturing self-belief is a continuous process that requires self-reflection, practice, and sometimes overcoming fears and insecurities.

The connection between Self Efficacy and Self Belief

Self-efficacy and self-belief are related but distinct concepts, both playing important roles in shaping an individual's behaviour and mindset.

?Self-Efficacy

Definition:

Self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to successfully perform specific tasks or actions in particular situations. It is a concept introduced by psychologist Albert Bandura and is often context specific.

Characteristics:

1. Task Specific: Self efficacy varies depending on the task or domain. For example, someone may have high self-efficacy in academic settings but low self-efficacy in social situations.

2. Predictive Power: It predicts how likely someone is to engage in a behaviour, how much effort they will put into it, and their perseverance in the face of difficulties.

3. Influence on Behaviour: High self-efficacy can lead to setting challenging goals and putting in the effort needed to achieve them, while low self-efficacy might result in avoidance of tasks and reduced effort.

?Self-belief

Definition:

Self-belief is a broader, more general concept that encompasses the overall confidence in oneself, including one's abilities, worth, and potential. It is not limited to specific tasks or situations.

Characteristics:

1. Generalized Confidence: Self-belief is an overarching sense of confidence that can influence a wide range of behaviours and attitudes, not just specific tasks.

2. Influence on Self-esteem: It is closely related to self-esteem and self-worth, contributing to how one views oneself in a general sense.

3. Resilience and Motivation: A strong self-belief helps in maintaining motivation and resilience in the face of challenges, encouraging a positive outlook on life.

?Key Differences

1. Scope:

?? ?Self-efficacy is specific to particular tasks or situations.

?? ?Self-belief is a general sense of confidence across various aspects of life.

2. Origin:

?? ?Self-efficacy is often developed through mastery experiences, social modelling, and feedback from others.

?? ?Self-belief can be influenced by broader factors such as upbringing, life experiences, and self-perception.

3. Application:

?? ?Self-efficacy influences specific actions and behaviours in given contexts.

?? ?Self-belief impacts overall life choices, attitude, and general behaviour patterns.

Self-efficacy and self-belief are interrelated, self-efficacy is more about confidence in one's ability to handle specific tasks, whereas self-belief encompasses a broader confidence in oneself and one's potential.

The Importance of Mastery for Self-Belief and Efficacy

Mastery experiences, or successful experiences of completing tasks and overcoming challenges, play a crucial role in shaping both self-belief and self-efficacy. Here's how they impact these concepts:

?Impact on Self Efficacy

1. Direct Experience:

?? ?Mastery is the most powerful source of self-efficacy. When individuals successfully accomplish a task, they develop a belief in their ability to handle similar tasks in the future. This success strengthens their confidence in specific skills and abilities.?

2. Resilience to Setbacks:

?? ?Experiences of mastery help build resilience. When individuals have a history of overcoming challenges, they are more likely to view future obstacles as surmountable. This resilience enhances their perseverance and willingness to tackle difficult tasks, even after encountering failures.

3. Incremental Growth:

?? ?Achieving mastery often involves learning and improvement over time. As individuals progress and see tangible improvements, their self-efficacy grows. They become more confident in their ability to continue improving and mastering new skills.

?Impact on Self-belief

?1. Overall Confidence:

?? ?Mastery experiences contribute to a broader sense of self-belief. Successfully achieving goals or overcoming challenges can lead to an increased sense of competence and self-worth. This overall confidence spills over into various areas of life, not just the specific domains where mastery was achieved.

2. Positive Self-image:

?? ?Repeated mastery experiences can help reshape a person's self-image, especially if they previously viewed themselves as incapable or inadequate. Seeing themselves succeed can lead to a more positive and realistic self-image, enhancing overall self-belief.

3. Motivation and Goal Setting:

?? ?Mastery fosters intrinsic motivation. When individuals believe they can succeed, they are more likely to set ambitious goals and pursue them with dedication. This motivation is often self-reinforcing; as they achieve more, their self-belief continues to grow.

4. Coping with Criticism:

?? ?Individuals with strong self-belief derived from mastery are better equipped to handle criticism and setbacks. They are less likely to internalize negative feedback and more likely to view it as a part of the learning process.

?The Reciprocal Relationship?

Mastery experiences and self-efficacy have a reciprocal relationship. As individuals achieve mastery, their self-efficacy increases, which in turn makes them more likely to take on new challenges, leading to further mastery experiences. Similarly, increased self-belief encourages people to attempt tasks they might otherwise avoid, leading to new mastery opportunities.

Mastery experiences are foundational to building and sustaining both self-belief and self-efficacy. They provide concrete evidence of one's capabilities, foster resilience, and encourage a positive self-concept, all of which are crucial for personal growth and success.

This also has important lessons for leadership and coaches, mentors and parents in how we provide suitable challenges to help people grow and develop their mastery, self efficacy, self belief, confidence and resilience.

How this develops our confidence?

The concepts of mastery, self-belief, self-efficacy, and confidence are interrelated and collectively contribute to an individual's overall sense of competence and success in various aspects of life. Here's how they connect and influence each other:

?1. Mastery

Definition:

Mastery refers to the successful achievement of competence or expertise in a specific task or domain. It involves acquiring skills, knowledge, and the ability to perform tasks effectively.

Connection to Other Concepts:

?Foundation for Self-Efficacy: Mastery experiences are the most direct and powerful source of self-efficacy. Successfully completing tasks and overcoming challenges builds confidence in one's abilities to handle similar tasks in the future.

?Influence on Self-belief: Repeated mastery experiences contribute to a broader sense of self-belief, reinforcing the idea that one is capable and competent. This enhances an individual's overall confidence and positive self-view.

?2. Self Efficacy

Definition:

Self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to successfully perform specific tasks or actions in particular situations. It is context specific and varies depending on the task at hand.

Connection to Other Concepts:

?Built Through Mastery: Self efficacy is strengthened through mastery experiences. Each successful experience reinforces the belief that one can achieve similar successes in the future.

?Influences Confidence and Behaviour: High self-efficacy leads to greater confidence in tackling tasks, persistence in the face of challenges, and resilience after setbacks. It encourages individuals to set challenging goals and take initiative.

?3. Self-belief

Definition:

Self-belief is a general sense of confidence in oneself, encompassing one's abilities, worth, and potential. It is broader and less context specific than self-efficacy.

Connection to Other Concepts:

?Nurtured by Mastery and Self Efficacy: A strong foundation of self-efficacy and mastery experiences contributes to overall self-belief. As individuals see themselves succeeding in various areas, their overall confidence in themselves grows.

?Supports Overall Confidence: Self-belief underpins a positive self-concept and a resilient attitude, which are crucial for navigating life's challenges and uncertainties.?

?4. Confidence?

Definition:

Confidence is the general feeling of trust in one's abilities, qualities, and judgment. It is the outward manifestation of self-belief and self-efficacy.

Connection to Other Concepts:

?Expression of Self-belief and Self Efficacy: Confidence is the external display of one's self-belief and self-efficacy. It influences how individuals present themselves and interact with the world.

?Reinforced by Success: Confidence grows through positive experiences and reinforcement. Mastery and successful experiences in various areas enhance overall confidence.

?Impact on Opportunities: Confidence encourages individuals to take on new opportunities and challenges, further enhancing their skills and experiences, and creating a positive feedback loop that strengthens mastery, self-belief, and self-efficacy.

Mastery experiences are fundamental in building self-efficacy, which is the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations. These experiences, in turn, contribute to a broader sense of self-belief, or overall confidence in oneself. Confidence is the visible expression of this internal self-assurance. Together, these elements form a cycle where positive experiences reinforce belief in one's abilities, encouraging further growth and success

?

?