Confidence

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Confidence

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Confidence

We need confidence to embrace risk-taking and explore new opportunities.

 
 

What is it:

Confidence is that quiet voice inside telling us, "You've got this," even when the outside world shouts, "It's too tough." It's less about never facing fear and more about choosing to move forward regardless. This insight offers a lens to see how confidence, or the absence of it, can shape our paths—encouraging us to embrace challenges with open arms or causing us to shy away from them.

 

How it influences us:

Confidence acts like a compass, guiding us through life's storms and sunny days alike. It inspires us to dream big, take chances, and persist through trials. With confidence, we're inclined to venture into uncharted territories, backed by the belief in our capacity to navigate through. On the flip side, when confidence wanes, so does our willingness to confront challenges, often leading us to miss out on valuable growth opportunities. The crux of many decisions boils down to a simple yet profound question: "Do I believe in myself?"

Let’s break it down:

Confidence dives behaviour by:

  1. Self-efficacy: Confidence is often associated with self-efficacy, which is a person's belief in their ability to perform a specific task or behaviour. When people feel confident in their ability to do something, they are more likely to take action and persist in the face of obstacles.

  2. Intention formation: High levels of confidence are also associated with the formation of intentions to act. People are more likely to set goals and commit to action when they feel confident in their ability to succeed.

  3. Risk-taking behaviour: People who are more confident may be more willing to take risks and try new things, as they believe in their ability to overcome potential consequences.

  4. Positive feedback loop: Confidence can create a positive feedback loop, where success leads to increased confidence, which, in turn, leads to more success. This can guide a pattern of continued growth and improvement over time.

  5. Psychological well-being: Self-assurance can also have a positive impact on one's psychological well-being. Feeling confident can lead to feelings of competence, self-worth, and a sense of control over one's life.

 

What’s the science behind it?

  • People's confidence, or perceived behavioural control, plays a critical role in shaping their intentions and behaviours. Confidence, in this context, refers to an individual's belief in their ability to perform a specific behaviour in a given situation. The higher the level of confidence, the more likely the individual is to form a strong intention to engage in the behaviour. For example, if someone is confident in their ability to run a mile without stopping, they are more likely to form a strong intention to exercise regularly and follow through with their fitness plans.

  • This theory emphasises the role of confidence in driving motivation, behaviour, and achievement. According to this theory, an individual's confidence in their ability to perform a task or achieve a specific goal determines their level of motivation and effort. The higher the level of confidence, the more likely the individual is to take on new challenges, persist in the face of obstacles, and achieve their goals. For instance, if someone is confident in their ability to speak in public, they are more likely to seek out opportunities to give presentations and to perform well when doing so.

 

How to spot it:

Confidence can be as loud as a klaxon or a personal power that people hold close. This means it can be hard to identify. But you can look to the impacts of confidence by asking:

  • Look for signs of tenacity. Confident people don't have a smooth journey; they simply don’t let bumps in the road stop them. They adapt, learn, and push on.

  • Observe if individuals are setting their sights higher, challenging themselves, and staying committed to their goals, regardless of the obstacles.

  • Watch for a readiness to break from the routine. Confidence often expresses itself through curiosity and the bravery to face the unknown, embracing learning as part of the adventure.

  • Notice if they’re sharing ideas freely, facing challenges head-on, and bouncing back from setbacks. Confidence isn't just loud; it's the strength to stand by your convictions quietly.

 

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26 Mini guides to deeply understand others. Reassuringly anchored in behavioural science.


✓ 26 Insight Tactics (Released weekly)
 
 
 
 
Lauren Alys Kelly

Lauren Alys Kelly is the founder of Alterkind, overseeing the behavioural design, tool development, training and research. They publish tools like BehaviourKit.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenalyskelly/
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