How to Develop Self Confidence Essay

The first step is preparing for the journey, the second step is setting out to begin the journey, the third and the final step is accelerating towards success.

Self-confidence is ones status of being assured and having a strong belief in himself and his abilities. A person who is self-confident does not struggle too much to make decisions. This essay paper focuses on the three main steps of developing self-confidence. They include; initial preparation, setting out for the process, and accelerating towards success. The final success is determined by both self-efficacy and esteem.

This is the journey to self-confidence that may be long or short depending on the person in question. It’s good for a person to identify first where he is, and his destination. The person should focus on what he has already achieved, at least ten of his best achievements. These should be written somewhere for references.

While still preparing for the journey, it’s good to think about your strengths. This part should include weaknesses, opportunities and threats, but put emphasis on strengths. The other important aspect is managing ones mind by defeating inner talks that can deter the confidence. The final part of preparing for the journey is, committing yourself to succeed.

The right way should be towards the set goals. At this stage one should gather all the knowledge he or she requires so as to succeed. This involves looking for the required skills and acquiring them to be fully equipped. Let the basics be the starting point of the whole process, thus one should not emphasis on perfection but do simple things successfully.

The main objective here would be to set small goals, achieving them successfully, and rejoicing for the achievements. There is no need of setting big challenging goals at this point. While still setting up for the journey, one should keep his or her mind on the positive side. This can be achieved through rejoicing for the attained success. On the other hand, ones mind should also have some techniques of handling failure. Mistakes are inevitable especially when one is trying something for the first time.

At this stage one start feeling some self-confidence developing. There will be several achieved small goals in step 2 to be celebrated in this stage. One feels there is a room for making bigger goals with tougher challenges. Here the person feels more committed than before. At this point some people tend to be over confident due to over stretching themselves.

This should not be the case, as one should stay grounded. Its advisable now for one to evaluate himself or her to see how far is the development. While doing self-evaluation, one finds it simple to identify some unique strategies for developing self-confidence. Stretching bit by bit without overdoing it will lead to a top level of self-confidence.

In conclusion , each step of the three main steps is connected to the other. The first step of preparing for the journey is setting the base for the next step. The crucial aspects set in step two are the ones being celebrated in step three making the process a success.

  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, November 25). How to Develop Self Confidence. https://ivypanda.com/essays/how-to-develop-self-confidence/

"How to Develop Self Confidence." IvyPanda , 25 Nov. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/how-to-develop-self-confidence/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'How to Develop Self Confidence'. 25 November.

IvyPanda . 2023. "How to Develop Self Confidence." November 25, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/how-to-develop-self-confidence/.

1. IvyPanda . "How to Develop Self Confidence." November 25, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/how-to-develop-self-confidence/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "How to Develop Self Confidence." November 25, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/how-to-develop-self-confidence/.

  • Is Stretching Prior to Running Useful
  • Stretching Routine in a Work Environment
  • Natural Power in "Salvage the Bones" by Ward Jesmyn
  • Why I Am the Best Accounting Intern in Under Armour?
  • Key Factors That Led To Reversal of the Accelerating Acquisition of Nuclear Weapons in the Eighties
  • Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord Always"
  • Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies Policy
  • Self-Confidence in the UAE
  • The Parable Of The Prodigal Son (Luke 15)
  • Race and Gender in Physical Education and Sports
  • Moral Intelligence Development
  • The Role of Human Intelligence in the Country Security
  • Aspects of Self-Concept Essay
  • Taking Risks Conception
  • Informal Logic-Fallacies Definition
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Therapy Center
  • When To See a Therapist
  • Types of Therapy
  • Best Online Therapy
  • Best Couples Therapy
  • Best Family Therapy
  • Managing Stress
  • Sleep and Dreaming
  • Understanding Emotions
  • Self-Improvement
  • Healthy Relationships
  • Student Resources
  • Personality Types
  • Guided Meditations
  • Verywell Mind Insights
  • 2023 Verywell Mind 25
  • Mental Health in the Classroom
  • Editorial Process
  • Meet Our Review Board
  • Crisis Support

How to Be More Confident: 9 Tips That Work

Believing in yourself will take you far

Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.

how to develop self confidence essay

Rachel Goldman, PhD FTOS, is a licensed psychologist, clinical assistant professor, speaker, wellness expert specializing in eating behaviors, stress management, and health behavior change.

how to develop self confidence essay

Verywell / Jiaqi Zhou

Ways to Be More Confident

Confidence vs. insecurity, being more confident has a lot of benefits, frequently asked questions.

The majority of us probably want to be a little more confident. A feeling of trust in your abilities, qualities, and judgment? Sign us up. The American Psychological Association defines self-confidence as "a belief that one is capable of successfully meeting the demands of a task."

It can refer to a general sense of trust in your ability to control your life , or it might be more situation-specific. For example, you might have high self-confidence in a particular area of expertise but feel less confident in other areas. Research suggests that confidence is important to health and psychological well-being .

But cultivating and maintaining confidence isn't easy and it's an easy thing to lose when you feel like you've failed or made a mistake. That's why actively working on building up your self-confidence is so crucial, it's something you have to maintain. As cheesy as it sounds, you do have to believe in yourself!

"The doubt that comes with second-guessing yourself has both internal and external repercussions," explains Hannah Owens, LMSW. "Confidence not only affects you and how you feel about yourself, but it also communicates to others that you are trustworthy and capable—which can be helpful both socially and at work."

Having a healthy level of self-confidence can help you become more successful in your personal and professional life. Research has found, for example, that more confident people tend to achieve more academically. Your level of confidence even affects how you present yourself to others.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can increase your self-confidence. Whether you lack confidence in one specific area or struggle to feel confident about anything, these nine tips can help you be more confident.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Do you compare how you look to people you follow on Instagram? Or maybe you compare your salary to what your friend earns. Social comparison theory explains that making comparisons is natural. But it isn't likely to help boost your self-confidence. It may even have the opposite effect. 

A 2018 study published in Personality and Individual Differences found a direct link between envy and the way we feel about ourselves. Specifically, researchers noted that when people compare themselves to others, they experience envy. And the more envy they have, the worse they feel about themselves.

How do you build self-confidence when you notice that you are drawing comparisons? First, remind yourself that doing so isn’t helpful. Everyone is running their own race and life isn’t a competition.

If you’re feeling envious of someone else’s life, it's also helpful to remember your own strengths and successes. Keep a  gratitude journal to better recall the areas in life where you are blessed. This can help you focus on your own life versus focusing on the lives of others.

"Social media is especially nefarious in this way," says Owens. "It is a system practically designed to foster comparison. But remembering that people generally only post the very best and the very worst of their experiences can help you celebrate your daily victories, which can boost your confidence."

Surround Yourself With Positive People

Take a moment and think about how your friends make you feel. Do they lift you up, or do they bring you down? Are they constantly judging you, or do they accept you for who you are? 

The people you spend time with can influence your thoughts and attitudes about yourself, perhaps more than you realize. So, pay attention to how others make you feel. If you feel bad about yourself after hanging out with a particular person, it may be time to say goodbye . 

Instead, surround yourself with people who love you and want the best for you. Seek out others who are positive and can help build your confidence. Self-confidence and a positive attitude go hand-in-hand.

Take Care of Your Body

This tip for how to be more confident is based on the idea that it’s hard to feel good about yourself if you’re abusing your body. When you practice self-care , you know you're doing something positive for your mind, body, and spirit—and you'll naturally feel more confident as a result.

Here are a few self-care practices linked to higher levels of self-confidence:

  • Diet : Healthy eating comes with many benefits, including higher levels of confidence and self-esteem. When you fuel your body with nutrient-dense foods, you feel healthier, stronger, and more energized, which can result in feeling better about yourself.
  • Exercise : Studies consistently show that physical exercise boosts self-confidence. For instance, a 2016 study found that regular physical activity improved participants’ body image. And when their body image improved, they felt more confident.
  • Meditation : More than just a relaxation practice, meditation can help boost self-confidence in several ways. For one, it helps you to recognize and accept yourself. Meditation also teaches you to stop negative self-talk and disconnect from unhelpful mental chatter interfering with your confidence.
  • Sleep : Skimping on sleep can take a toll on your emotions. Conversely, good-quality sleep has been linked with positive personality traits, including optimism and self-esteem.

Caring for yourself is important to self-confidence. Make sure you are getting what you need to feel good about yourself and your abilities.

"Taking care of your body doesn't just mean looking good," explains Owens. "When you make yourself and your self-care a priority, you are projecting to the world that you matter—which convinces others to feel the same way about you."

Be Kind to Yourself

Self-compassion involves treating yourself with kindness when you make a mistake, fail, or experience a setback. It allows you to become more emotionally flexible and helps you better navigate challenging emotions, enhancing your connection to yourself and others.

Hannah Owens, LMSW

Taking care of your body doesn't just mean looking good...When you make yourself and your self-care a priority, you are projecting to the world that you matter—which convinces others to feel the same way about you.

A 2015 study connects self-compassion with self-confidence. So the next time you're in a challenging situation, recognize that being imperfect or falling short at times is a part of being human. Do your best to navigate these experiences with compassion toward yourself.

Practice Positive Self-Talk

Negative self-talk can limit your abilities and lessen your self-confidence by convincing your subconscious that you "can't handle" something or that it is "too hard" and you "shouldn't even try." Self-talk that is optimistic, on the other hand, can foster self-compassion and help you overcome self-doubt and take on new challenges.

The next time you begin to think that you have no business speaking up in a meeting or that you are too out of shape to work out, remind yourself that your thoughts aren’t always accurate. Then find a way to turn those thoughts around into more positive self-talk .

Here are a few examples of ways to challenge pessimistic self-talk and reframe your thoughts into a more positive way of thinking, increasing your self-confidence along the way:

  • "I can't handle this" or "This is impossible" becomes "I can do this" or "All I have to do is try."
  • "I can't do anything right" becomes "I can do better next time" or "At least I learned something."
  • "I hate public speaking" becomes "I don't like public speaking" and "Everyone has strengths and weaknesses."

Face Your Fears

Stop putting things off until you feel more self-confident—like asking someone on a date or applying for a promotion. One of the best ways to build your confidence in these situations is by facing your fears head-on .

Practice facing some of your fears that stem from a lack of self-confidence. If you’re afraid you’ll embarrass yourself or think that you’re going to mess up, try anyway. A little self-doubt can even help improve performance. Tell yourself it’s just an experiment and see what happens.

You might learn that being a little anxious or making a few mistakes isn’t as bad as you thought. And each time you move forward, you gain more confidence in yourself. In the end, this can help prevent you from taking risks that will result in major negative consequences.

"This is, of course, easier said than done," says Owens, "but even small victories can help. Consider this a kind of exposure therapy - even a little progress is still progress!"

Do Things You're Good At

What happens when you do things that you are good at? Your self-confidence starts to soar. Your strengths become even stronger, which helps improve your belief in yourself. Taking this approach also has another benefit: it can increase how satisfied you are with your life.

One study found that believing in your ability to build on your personal strengths is moderately related to life satisfaction levels. This starts with identifying what those strengths are. Then, work to make them stronger by engaging with them regularly.

If you're good at a certain sport, for instance, make it a point to train or play at least once a week. If you're good at a particular task at work, try to do that task more often. Building on your strengths can also help you build your self-confidence.

Know When to Say No

While doing things you're good at can give your self-confidence a boost, it's equally important to recognize situations that can cause your confidence to plummet. Maybe you find that every time you participate in a certain activity, you feel worse about yourself instead of better.

Saying no to activities that tend to zap your self-confidence is okay. Certainly, you don't want to avoid doing anything that makes you feel uncomfortable because discomfort is often part of the personal growth process. At the same time, there's nothing wrong with knowing your boundaries and sticking to them.

Setting social and emotional boundaries enables you to feel safer psychologically. It can also help you feel more in control. Self-confidence is, in part, feeling like you have control over your life. Boundaries help establish this feeling of control.

The next time someone suggests doing something that you know will lower your self-confidence, respectfully decline. You don't have to avoid that activity forever either. Once you learn how to be more confident, you may feel strong enough to try it again—without hurting the confidence you have in yourself.

Set Realistic Goals

Pursuing your goals often involves failing several times until you figure out what works. This can make you wonder if you have what it takes to succeed. It can also leave you questioning how to be more confident while still achieving your dreams. The answer lies in setting realistic goals.

Setting high-reaching goals and failing to achieve them has been found to damage confidence levels. Conversely, realistic goals are achievable. And the more you achieve your goals, the greater your confidence in yourself and your abilities.

To set realistic goals , write down what you want to achieve. Next, ask yourself what chance you have of attaining it. (Be honest!) If the answer is slim to none, the goal may be a bit too lofty. Dial it back so it is more realistic and more achievable.

This may require doing a bit of research on your part. For instance, if you have a goal to lose weight, experts recommend losing one to two pounds per week for healthy, long-term weight loss. Knowing this helps you set a goal in line with this guideline, boosting your self-confidence when you hit it.

Press Play for Advice on Confidence

Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares strategies that can help you learn to truly believe in yourself, featuring IT Cosmetics founder Jamie Kern Lima. Click below to listen now.

Follow Now : Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts

When learning how to be more confident, it can be helpful to understand how someone with self-confidence is different from someone who is more insecure. Here are just some of the differences between the two.

Celebrate other people's success

Open-minded

Willing to take risks

Laugh at themselves

Always learning and growing

Admit mistakes

Accept responsibility

Judge and are jealous of others

Close-minded

Pessimistic

Afraid of change

Act like a know-it-all

Make excuses

Blame others

Being confident in yourself just feels good. That said, having self-confidence can also bring many additional benefits at home, at work, and within your relationships. Here's a look at a few of the positive effects of learning how to be confident:

  • Better performance : Rather than waste time and energy worrying that you aren't good enough , you can devote your energy to your efforts. Ultimately, you'll perform better when you have more self-confidence.
  • Healthier relationships : Having self-confidence not only impacts how you feel about yourself, but it helps you better understand and love others. It also gives you the strength to walk away from a relationship if you're not getting what you want or deserve.
  • Openness to try new things : When you believe in yourself, you're more willing to try new things. Whether you apply for a promotion or sign up for a cooking class, putting yourself out there is a lot easier when you have confidence in yourself and your abilities.
  • Resilience : Believing in yourself can enhance your resilience or ability to bounce back from any challenges or adversities you face in life.

Learning how to be more confident can have a range of positive effects on your life. In addition to helping you feel better about yourself and your abilities, self-confidence can make your relationships stronger and make you more resilient to stress.

Keep in Mind

Everyone struggles with confidence issues at one time or another. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to boost self-confidence. In many cases, learning how to act confident can actually help you feel more confident.

"This is similar to the adage that the physical act of smiling can trick your brain into feeling happier," says Owens. "If you exude confidence, even when you don't feel that way, others will treat you differently, which will boost your confidence—and thus the cycle continues."

Sometimes low self-confidence is a sign of a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety . If your self-confidence interferes with your work, social life, or education, consider talking to a mental health professional. A therapist can help you better understand the issue, recommend treatment, and work with you to develop skills to build your self-confidence.

If your confidence tends to lag in social situations, try to change your perspective. Instead of looking at group interactions as a stressor, view them as an opportunity to work on building your self-confidence. Taking someone with you who makes you feel confident can also give you the self-belief needed to feel more comfortable around groups of people.

Creating the social event yourself may help as well because you will know what to expect and have some level of control. If social situations cause you great anxiety along with reduced self-confidence, talking to a mental health professional can help.

One way to develop self-confidence in a relationship is to recognize your worth. When you know the value you bring to others, it helps you feel more confident in yourself. It can also be helpful to stay in the present and not worry about the past or the future.

If your lack of confidence in relationships is due to a fear of being rejected, remember that not everyone is compatible. Just as you might not be for them, they might also not be for you—it's nothing personal.

If your lack of confidence in the workplace is tied to concerns about your performance, check in regularly with a superior to see how you're doing. Ask for feedback about areas where you can improve, then work on them to feel more confident in your duties.

It can also be helpful to consider where you excel at work and perform these activities as often as possible. If you do make a mistake, admit it, learn from it, and move on. No one is perfect, so you shouldn't expect yourself to be either.

If your self-confidence is tied to your physical appearance, developing a more positive body image can help. Instead of focusing on areas of your body that you dislike, spend more time appreciating the areas you feel good about.

Another tip for how to become more confident is to not compare your body to anyone else's. No two bodies are the same and each has its own strengths. Remember that there is room in this world for people of all shapes and sizes.

American Psychological Association. Self-confidence .

Perry P. Concept analysis: Confidence/self-confidence . Nurs Forum . 2011;46(4):218-30. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6198.2011.00230.x

Stankov L, Morony S, Lee YP. Confidence: The best non-cognitive predictor of academic achievement? Educat Psychol . 2014;34(1):9-28. doi:10.1080/01443410.2013.814194

Vrabel JK, Zeigler-Hill V, Southard AC. Self-esteem and envy: Is state self-esteem instability associated with the benign and malicious forms of envy?   Pers Individ Diff . 2018;123:100-104. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2017.11.001

Rafiei H, Senmar M, Mostafaie M, et al. Self-confidence and attitude of acute care nurses to the presence of family members during resuscitation . British J Nurs . 2018;27(21). doi:10.12968/bjon.2018.27.21.1246

Duke University Personal Assistance Service. Self-care tips for the body & soul .

Zamani Sani SH, Fathirezaie Z, Brand S, et al. Physical activity and self-esteem: Testing direct and indirect relationships associated with psychological and physical mechanisms . Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat . 2016;12:2617–2625. doi:10.2147/NDT.S116811

Lemola S, Räikkönen K, Gomez V, Allemand M. Optimism and self-esteem are related to sleep. Results from a large community-based sample .  IntJ Behav Med . 2013;20(4):567-571. doi:10.1007/s12529-012-9272-z

Arslan C. Interpersonal problem solving, self-compassion and personality traits in university students . Educ Res Reviews . 2015;11(7):474-81. doi:10.5897/ERR2015.2605

Walter N, Nikoleizig L, Alfermann D. Effects of self-talk training on competitive anxiety, self-efficacy, volitional skills, and performance: an intervention study with junior sub-elite athletes .  Sports (Basel) . 2019;7(6):148. doi:10.3390/sports7060148

Martins I, Perez Monsalve JP, Velasquez Martinez A. Self-confidence and fear of failure among university students and their relationship with entrepreneurial orientation: Evidence from Colombia . Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administracion . 2018;31(3):471-85. doi:10.1108/ARLA-01-2018-0018

Woodman T, Akehurst S, Hardy L, Beattie S.  Self-confidence and performance: A little self-doubt helps .  Psychol Sport Exer . 2010;11(6):467-470. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2010.05.009

Tsai CL, Chaichanasakul A, Zhao R, Flores LY, Lopez SJ. Development and validation of the strengths self-efficacy scale (SSES) . J Career Assess . 2013;22(2):221-232. doi:10.1177/1069072713493761

University of South Florida Counseling Center. What is self-confidence?

Höpfner J, Keith N. Goal missed, self hit: Goal-setting, goal-failure, and their affective, motivational, and behavioral consequences . Front Psychol . 2021;12:704790. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.704790

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is healthy weight loss?

Hyseni Duraku Z, Hoxha L. Self-esteem, study skills, self-concept, social support, psychological distress, and coping mechanism effects on test anxiety and academic performance .  Health Psychol Open . 2018;5(2):2055102918799963. doi:10.1177/2055102918799963

By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.

Building Strong Self-Belief: 16 Tips & Activities

man smiling - How to Build Self-Confidence and Self-Belief (Definition + Quotes)

“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.”

This classic quote from automobile magnate Henry Ford is a perfect lead into this piece. The topic is self-confidence and self-belief, two ingredients to a healthy and happy life.

According to Ford, your belief in yourself is a determining factor in your success.

Was he right? Read on to find out!

Before you read on, we thought you might like to download our three Self-Compassion Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will not only help you increase the compassion and kindness you show yourself but will also give you the tools to help your clients, students or employees show more compassion to themselves.

This Article Contains:

What is the meaning of self-confidence and self-belief, the psychology of self-confidence and self-belief, 3 examples of healthy self-belief, 12 tips for building self-confident skills, activities and exercises for developing self-confidence, hypnosis and hypnotherapy, guided meditations to boost self-confidence, motivational speeches and popular ted talks and videos, 19 quotes and affirmations on self-confidence, a take-home message.

Researchers have a tough time agreeing on what, exactly, self-confidence is. Some say it is simply believing in yourself, while others go into more detail about your expectations for and evaluations of yourself and your performance.

For non-academic purposes, however, we have a pretty solid definition; this definition comes from the Psychology Dictionary Online :

“Our self-assurance in trusting our abilities, capacities, and judgments; the belief that we can meet the demands of a task.”

This definition works pretty well for the average person and is easy to understand. To be self-confident is to trust in your own abilities and believe that you can do what you set your mind to.

As you can see from the definition, self-belief is a necessary—but not sufficient—component of self-confidence. You must have at least some self-belief to have self-confidence, but self-belief does not guarantee you self-confidence.

Along with characterizing your beliefs about yourself, self-confidence is a trait that permeates your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Think about a confident person you know; now, think about how you know this person is confident. You cannot get inside their head to know how they feel about themselves, so you base your judgment of their self-confidence on their words and actions.

To be truly self-confident is to exude confidence in your words and actions, in addition to believing in yourself and feeling capable.

woman arms up high - The Psychology of Self-Confidence and Self-Belief

Thanks to William James, we learned that self-confidence is an important predictor of success. His formula for self-esteem (a related, but slightly different, construct than self-confidence) proposes that it is built on the foundations of two elements (Nayler, 2010):

  • How we feel and what we believe about ourselves (our self-confidence/self-belief)
  • How well we actually perform (our successes)

This concept was not a new one, but James was one of the first to lay it out in detail. The idea stuck and influenced the work of another important theory in the area of self-confidence and self-esteem : Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory.

Bandura’s theory states that self-efficacy is built on one’s beliefs in the likelihood of future success; those who believe they can influence the events of their lives have high self-efficacy, while those who feel they are not in control and have little to no impact on what will happen to them in the future, have low self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977).

Self-efficacy is focused on current beliefs about the future; while self-confidence is also concerned with beliefs about the future, there is a definite link to the past—after all, our self-confidence is built on our past experiences.

Deci and Ryan drew from Bandura’s work to create their own theory on another “self-” construct: self-esteem. Self-Determination Theory posits that we are all born with an inherent drive to explore our environment and thrive, and that self-esteem results from humanity’s basic needs being met:

  • Relatedness
  • Autonomy (Ryan & Deci, 2000)

This theory expanded the boundaries of the self-confidence/self-esteem literature by adding in the needs component; when our needs are met, according to the theory, we have all the ingredients necessary to experience healthy self-esteem and to grow and flourish as a person.

Based on these three theories, and countless other reports, articles, and studies by other researchers in the field, we have been able to put together a more coherent picture of what self-confidence is. It is a sense of belief in oneself and feeling assured of your own abilities and chances of future success, and it is in large part based on your experiences.

We explore this further in The Science of Self-Acceptance Masterclass© .

Self-Confidence vs. Self-Esteem

So, although self-confidence and self-esteem have crossed paths at many points and share some common features, they are considered two distinct constructs.

Self-esteem is a fairly stable trait that doesn’t change much in individuals—unless they put in some dedicated effort to improve it. It can generally be defined as our beliefs in our own inherent value, worth, and how deserving we are of love, happiness , success, and other good things in life.

By contrast, self-confidence does not take into consideration any beliefs about worthiness or overall value; rather, it focuses on the ability to succeed and beliefs about one’s likelihood of succeeding.

how to develop self confidence essay

Download 3 Free Self-Compassion Exercises (PDF)

These detailed, science-based exercises will equip you to help others create a kinder and more nurturing relationship with themselves.

how to develop self confidence essay

Download 3 Free Self-Compassion Tools Pack (PDF)

By filling out your name and email address below.

Healthy self-belief is not narcissism, bragging, or boasting. Rather, it is a realistic but optimistic evaluation of yourself and your abilities and a sense of trust and confidence in yourself.

Examples of healthy self-belief and self-confidence include:

  • A woman goes on a date and has a great time; she feels like she and her date clicked and is looking forward to hearing from him. When he doesn’t call within a few days, she refrains from falling into a negative thought spiral and instead thinks, “Maybe he just isn’t the type of guy who calls right away. Or, maybe we just aren’t right for each other. I had fun and that’s what matters!”
  • A man is looking for a job and sees a posting that has several requirements; he meets most of them, but he doesn’t quite reach the cutoff on a couple of them. Instead of passing it up and assuming he would never get an interview, he applies anyway and explains how he has other traits and qualifications that make up for any lack in the requirements in his cover letter.
  • A student is interested in taking an Advanced Placement class at her high school and talks to her friends about it. Those who have already taken the class tells her it’s really hard and that she probably wouldn’t pass. She could trust in their judgment and pass up the opportunity, but instead, she holds firm in her belief about her own abilities and signs up anyway.

woman smiling - Common Characteristics of Self-Confident Individuals

So, how do you become one of those people described above?

It isn’t necessarily an easy road, but you will probably find it more than worth the effort. Below are some tips on building your self-confidence and boosting your belief in yourself.

The team from the Mind Tools (2016) website listed several tips and suggestions for improving your self-confidence based on where you are on your journey:

  • Preparing for your journey a. Take inventory of what you have already achieved. b. Think about your strengths and weaknesses (but especially your strengths). c. Think about your goals and values . d. Practice ceasing negative self-talk in its tracks and replacing it with positive thinking. e. Commit to the journey to self-confidence!
  • Setting out a. Identify and enhance the knowledge and skills you need to succeed. b. Focus on the basics—don’t get bogged down in details or reaching for perfection. c. Set small goals and achieve them to “pile up successes.” d. Keep working on your positive thinking and self-talk.
  • Accelerating towards success a. Celebrate your successes. b. Keep yourself grounded. c. Assess your current level of self-confidence and identify what strategies you can use to keep building it up.

If you hit a roadblock on your journey to self-confidence, don’t worry! They happen to everyone. Try to get back on track as soon as you can. You may find the following activities helpful.

Worksheets for Adults and Students (PDF) self-confidence self-belief

Here are activities and exercises you can do to work on your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Of course, the most important thing you can do to build your self-confidence is to get some success experiences under your belt—no matter how small—but here are some other things you can try as well.

Recognizing negative thoughts

Negative thoughts are so often a drain on our self-confidence, and we may not even realize it. Negative thoughts can be sneaky, so we need to be extra-vigilant in identifying and addressing them.

Practice “listening” to your own thoughts; notice the automatic thoughts that pop into your head and pay attention to the way you talk to yourself. When you notice a negative thought, grab onto it and either write it down or just sit and think about it for a moment.

Don’t spend long thinking about the thought in its current form, though. Instead, spend your time thinking about how it can be rephrased and adapted to become a positive (or at least neutral) thought.

For example, if you catch yourself thinking, “You’re such a failure! You can’t do anything right!” try to replace it with a more forgiving phrase like, “Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. I bet I can do better next time!”

This replacement thought not only offers you forgiveness and compassion , it also helps you boost your belief in your ability to succeed in the future. Give it a try and see if it works for you!

Challenging yourself

The best way to boost your self-confidence is to open yourself up to positive new experiences and allow yourself to succeed.

If you have low self-confidence, you probably don’t like taking risks—whether those risks involve physical activity, going for a new job or promotion, talking to someone you like, or just trying a new activity. It is a classic catch-22: your low self-confidence encourages you to avoid doing the exact things that would help you build up your self-confidence.

If uninterrupted, this can lead to an ever-deepening spiral of low self-confidence; you don’t have any exciting new successes, so your self-confidence is even lower, so you feel even less like trying new things.

To break this cycle, you know what you need to do: put yourself out there, try something new, and challenge yourself!

Find one thing you are interested in and go for it. It might be a cooking class, a running group, marathon training, or volunteering for a cause you are passionate about. Whatever it is, push yourself to take a risk and watch your confidence grow.

Giving yourself the self-care you need

Self-care is incredibly important for a lot of things, but it can be especially impactful for our self-confidence.

Engage in self-care to show yourself how valuable you are, and you will feel more confident in your abilities and motivated to prove that you are right about yourself.

Remember that self-care is about much more than just getting a massage or allowing yourself to indulge in some extra-tasty food or on a Netflix binge. Make sure to take care of your body, mind, and soul by eating healthy, exercising, giving yourself a break, and engaging in whatever other self-care you need to feel good.

Practice accepting failure

This isn’t an especially fun exercise to practice, but it is a necessary one. We all fail at some point, and it does us absolutely no good to pretend that we don’t—or won’t—ever fail.

To practice accepting failure, engage in some activities that you know you will fail at. I know, it sounds terrible! Why would you do something when you know you will fail? Because practicing failure can be just as important as practicing success.

Take risks and set stretch goals for yourself. Sometimes you will achieve them, and sometimes you won’t. Whether you achieve them or not, make sure to tell yourself the same thing after: “You put a lot of effort into this and I’m proud of you for working hard.”

You don’t need to succeed to be proud of yourself and confident in your abilities (Coleman, 2017).

You have certainly heard of hypnosis before, but you may not be as familiar with hypnotherapy —and you may not know what that has to do with self-confidence.

Hypnosis is an alternative treatment that is generally not practiced as a first-line approach, but it is not uncommon for a therapist to use hypnosis in cases that call for it. A lack of self-confidence can be one such case.

While CBT and other behavioral therapies can do a great job of tackling your conscious thoughts and helping you manage your feelings and behavior, we know that there is also a lot going on in your subconscious. Hypnotherapists believe that hypnosis can help treat low self-confidence by breaking into the negative things happening in your subconscious and injecting a dose of positivity.

If you’re interested in giving it a try, check out this sleep hypnosis on YouTube.

If you’re interested in trying hypnotherapy with a qualified professional, you can learn more here .

If you’re a fan of meditation and would like to try some that are geared toward improving your self-confidence, these might be just what you’re looking for:

Guided Meditation: Self-Esteem from The Honest Guys

Guided Meditation for Confidence, Self Love, and a Better Self Image from Joe T at Hypnotic Labs

Healing Spirit: Guided Meditation for Self Esteem and Acceptance, Anxiety, and Depression from MeditationRelaxClub

If you’re ready to get pumped full of confidence and motivation, but you don’t have time to watch a whole feature-length movie, check out these TED Talks and inspirational speeches:

The Skill of Self Confidence by Dr. Ivan Joseph

Success and Self-Confidence Through Rejection by Ted Ladd

The Surprising Secret to Speaking with Confidence by Caroline Goyder

The Power of Believing You Can Improve by Carol Dweck

If you’re looking for some inspirational self belief quotes or motivating affirmations to help you boost your self-confidence, check out this list of 19 quotes and affirmations.

“A great figure or physique is nice, but it’s self-confidence that makes someone really sexy.”

Vivica A. Fox

“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.”

Arthur Ashe

“Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.”

Thomas Carlyle

“To excel at the highest level—or any level, really—you need to believe in yourself, and hands down, one of the biggest contributors to my self-confidence has been private coaching.”

Stephen Curry

“With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world.”
“Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.”

Samuel Johnson

“Smile, for everyone lacks self-confidence and more than any other one thing a smile reassures them.”

Andee Maurios

“The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you.”

William Jennings Bryan

“My self-confidence didn’t come from my appearance, it came from other things that I did. But certainly not my appearance.”

Alex Spanos

“I’ve studies the lives of the 20th century’s great businessmen and concluded that self-confidence was instrumental in all their success.”

Ron Perlman

“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”

E.E. Cummings

“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.”

If these quotes don’t quite hit the spot, you may benefit from creating some self-confidence affirmations. You can also create your own, but these are some good examples that can help get you started:

  • “I am smart, competent, and capable.”
  • “I am growing and changing for the better.”
  • “I believe in myself and my abilities.”
  • “I can do anything I set my mind to.”
  • “I act with confidence and with a plan, but I accept that plans can change.”
  • “It is enough to have done my best.”
  • “I have the power to change myself.”

how to develop self confidence essay

17 Exercises To Foster Self-Acceptance and Compassion

Help your clients develop a kinder, more accepting relationship with themselves using these 17 Self-Compassion Exercises [PDF] that promote self-care and self-compassion.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

I hope you found this piece a useful and informative dive into self-confidence and self-belief. It turns out that Henry Ford was mostly right—although self-confidence isn’t necessary to function in our world, it can make all the difference between “just getting by” and thriving!

If you found any of these exercises useful, bookmark this page so you can come back to it at any time and remind yourself that you can do it—whatever it is!

What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you think self-confidence is the key to success? How do you give yourself a boost of confidence when you need it? Let us know in the comments section!

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Self Compassion Exercises for free .

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84, 191-215.
  • Coleman, C. (2017). Activities to build self-confidence. Live Strong. Retrieved from https://www.livestrong.com/article/17120-activities-build-self-confidence/
  • Mind Tools Content Team. (2016). Building self-confidence: Preparing yourself for success! Mind Tools. Retrieved from https://www.mindtools.com/selfconf.html
  • Mowday, R. T. (1979). Leader characteristics, self-confidence, and methods of upward influence in organizational decision situations. Academy of Management Journal, 22.
  • Nayler, C. (2010). What is self-esteem? 3 theories on the function of self-esteem. Positive Psychology.org.uk. Retrieved from http://positivepsychology.org.uk/self-esteem-theory/
  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55 , 68-78.

' src=

Share this article:

Article feedback

What our readers think.

shari

I never recieved access to the 3 items, only the ones for 17.00. Thank you, Shari

Julia Poernbacher

Could you please specify which items you’re interested in? I’d be delighted to assist you further. You can reach out to me at [email protected] with your details, and I will promptly send you the relevant exercises.

Warm regards, Julia | Community Manager

Anishq

It was a good experience to read this article.

Poorva

GREAT content, however the free download link leads to a buy page for 17 excerciese tool book, that is a bit of a shoddy move, you should not promise anything free if you are not delivering it

We apologize if there was any confusion! Are you referring to the 3 free self-compassion exercises? You can access the free exercises here .

Please let us know if you continue to encounter issues with accessing the material. Kind regards, Julia | Community Manager

Let us know your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related articles

Social Identity Theory

Social Identity Theory: I, You, Us & We. Why Groups Matter

As humans, we spend most of our life working to understand our personal identities. The question of “who am I?” is an age-old philosophical thought [...]

Self-empowerment

Discovering Self-Empowerment: 13 Methods to Foster It

In a world where external circumstances often dictate our sense of control and agency, the concept of self-empowerment emerges as a beacon of hope and [...]

How to improve self-esteem

How to Improve Your Client’s Self-Esteem in Therapy: 7 Tips

When children first master the expectations set by their parents, the experience provides them with a source of pride and self-esteem. As children get older, [...]

Read other articles by their category

  • Body & Brain (49)
  • Coaching & Application (57)
  • Compassion (26)
  • Counseling (51)
  • Emotional Intelligence (24)
  • Gratitude (18)
  • Grief & Bereavement (21)
  • Happiness & SWB (40)
  • Meaning & Values (26)
  • Meditation (20)
  • Mindfulness (45)
  • Motivation & Goals (45)
  • Optimism & Mindset (34)
  • Positive CBT (28)
  • Positive Communication (20)
  • Positive Education (47)
  • Positive Emotions (32)
  • Positive Leadership (18)
  • Positive Parenting (4)
  • Positive Psychology (33)
  • Positive Workplace (37)
  • Productivity (17)
  • Relationships (46)
  • Resilience & Coping (36)
  • Self Awareness (21)
  • Self Esteem (38)
  • Strengths & Virtues (32)
  • Stress & Burnout Prevention (34)
  • Theory & Books (46)
  • Therapy Exercises (37)
  • Types of Therapy (64)

how to develop self confidence essay

3 Self-Compassion Tools (PDF)

loading

How it works

For Business

Join Mind Tools

Article • 12 min read

How to Build Self-Confidence

Preparing yourself for success.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

Self-confident people seem at ease with themselves and their work. They invite trust and inspire confidence in others. These are all attractive characteristics to have.

But it's not always easy to be confident in yourself, particularly if you're naturally self-critical or if other people put you down. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to increase and maintain your self-confidence.

This article explains what self-confidence is and why it matters. We'll explore how to believe in yourself and how to project this belief to others, so that you can be more effective and happier in your life and work.

People who are self-confident perform better at work, so it's important to nurture your team members' self-confidence, too. Our article, How to Build Confidence in Others , discusses how you can do this for co-workers or even your boss.

What Is Self-Confidence – and Why Is It Important?

Self-confidence means trusting in your own judgment, capacities and abilities. [1] It's about valuing yourself and feeling worthy, regardless of any imperfections or what others may believe about you.

Self-efficacy and self-esteem are often used interchangeably with self-confidence. But they are subtly different.

We gain a sense of self-efficacy when we see ourselves mastering skills and achieving goals. This encourages us to believe that, if we learn and work hard in a particular area, we'll succeed. [2] It's this type of confidence that leads people to accept difficult challenges and keep going in the face of setbacks.

Self-esteem is a more general sense that we can cope with what's going on in our lives, and that we have a right to be happy.

Also, self-esteem comes, in part, from the feeling that the people around us approve of us. We may or may not be able to control this, and if we experience a lot of criticism or rejection from others, our self-esteem can easily suffer unless we support it in other ways.

Confidence and Behavior

Take a look at the table below, which compares confident behavior with behavior that's associated with low self-confidence. Which thoughts or actions do you recognize in yourself?

As these examples show, low self-confidence can be self-destructive, and may manifest itself as negativity.

Self-confident people are generally more positive – they value themselves and trust their judgment. But they also acknowledge their failures and mistakes, and learn from them.

Take our short quiz to find out how self-confident you are right now. You'll also discover ways to improve your confidence levels by building self-efficacy.

Why Self-Confidence Matters

Self-confidence is vital in almost every aspect of our lives, yet many people struggle to find it. Sadly, this can become a vicious cycle: people who lack self-confidence are less likely to achieve the success that could give them more confidence.

For example, you may not be inclined to back a project that's pitched by someone who's visibly nervous, fumbling, or constantly apologizing. On the other hand, you're persuaded by someone who speaks clearly, holds their head high, and answers questions with assurance.

Confident people inspire confidence in others: their audience, their co-workers, their bosses, their customers, and their friends. And gaining the confidence of others is one of the key ways to succeed. In the following sections, we'll see how you can do this.

How to Appear More Confident to Others

Picture anyone you know that you think of as highly confident – what characteristics do they have that make you think this? It's most likely one or more of these things:

  • the way they speak (tone, how they project their voice, words),
  • their energy and enthusiasm,
  • how expert or knowledgeable they are about something.

You can show self-confidence in your behavior, your body language, and in what you say and how you say it.

Projecting a positive image to others can help you to improve your self-confidence. It's not simply a matter of "faking it" – if you project with confidence, others are more likely to respond well, and this positive feedback will help you to believe in yourself.

Body Language

In her book, Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges , Amy Cuddy argues that you can build confidence just by the way you move your body and hold yourself.

When we feel anxious, at meetings for instance, we tend to make ourselves smaller by slouching, hunching our shoulders, and bowing our heads. Simply sitting up straight can make you feel less stressed and more assertive .

If you're presenting, spreading your hands apart with palms slightly toward your audience shows openness and a willingness to share ideas.

Read our article, Body Language , for further tips on looking – and feeling – more confident.

Face-to-Face Communication

People with low self-confidence often find it difficult to make a good first impression – whether they're meeting a client, addressing a meeting, or giving a presentation. You may be shy or unsure of yourself, but you can take immediate steps to appear more confident.

Engaging with people is important, so maintain eye contact while you talk. This shows that you're interested in what the other person is saying, and that you're taking an active part in the conversation. Don't fidget or look away while the conversation continues, as this can make you appear distracted or anxious.

Build Expert Power

You are likely to appear (and feel) confident when you know what you're talking about. With a wealth of knowledge on a subject, you'll be more prepared to answer questions and speak on the spot.

If you lack confidence because of a gap in your expertise, work on finding out more information. Are there any relevant webinars or events you could attend? Is there a course you could take? Or perhaps you could find a mentor. See our article, Building Expert Power , and our Skillbook for more tips on this.

Rebuilding Confidence at Work

Changes to the way they work and long periods away from work negatively impact many people's confidence. One study found that over a third of people returning to the workplace after a year or more away experience a loss of confidence in their own ability. [3] You might struggle to make your voice heard in meetings, or feel lost or isolated without the company of your colleagues while working from home, for example.

To address dips in confidence, first try to identify the cause of the problem. If you feel that there are tasks you can't do, it makes sense to improve your skills. Carry out a Personal SWOT Analysis to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Then draw up an action plan to work on the areas where you're not so strong.

Other people's attitudes or behavior can contribute to your lack of confidence. You might feel that your co-workers make unfair assumptions about you. Maybe you're being bullied or are subject to microaggressions. If so, you need to call this behavior out.

You can use the Situation-Behavior-Impact Feedback Tool to make it clear to the person responsible that their behavior is harmful. If you don't feel safe talking to them, seek help from your line manager. If they're part of the problem, speak to a team member, HR, or an employee support network if you have one. Workplace bullying or discrimination is never acceptable in any situation.

People with low self-confidence often feel that they don't deserve to be happy, and that it's somehow justifiable for others to treat them badly. While the feeling may be very real, the belief is certainly not!

Three Ways to Build Your Confidence

While there are quick fixes to address acute issues with your self-confidence, building confidence in the long term requires making some changes to your lifestyle and forming robust plans. Here are three ways to do that:

1. Build Confident Habits

To develop and improve your self-esteem, aim to develop good habits – and break bad ones ! Regular exercise and a healthy diet can dramatically improve your physical and mental health . And studies have shown that getting a good night's sleep is linked with increased optimism and self-esteem. [4]

Working on your personal branding can also help. If you project a positive image of your authentic self, you'll likely start to receive the positive feedback that's so important to your self-confidence.

2. Review Past Achievements

Your self-confidence will increase when you're able to say, "I can do this, and here's the evidence." As part of your Personal SWOT Analysis, you'll have identified things that you're good at, based on your past achievements.

List the 10 things that you're most proud of in an "achievement log." Then use them to make positive affirmations about what you can do. These statements are particularly powerful if you tend to undermine your confidence with negative self-talk.

You can learn to identify and defeat any negative self-talk that's harming your self-confidence. See our article, Positive Thinking, Thought Awareness, and Rational Thinking , for more on this.

3. Set Confidence-Boosting Goals

Setting and achieving goals – and seeing how far you've come – are key ways to develop self-confidence.

Use your Personal SWOT Analysis to set goals that play to your strengths, minimize your weaknesses, and take advantage of your opportunities.

When you've identified the major goals you want to achieve, clarify the first steps you need to take. Make sure that they're small steps, taking no longer than an hour to do. This will get the ball rolling and improve your confidence through the achievement of appropriate goals.

When you're self-confident, you trust your own judgment and abilities, and have a strong sense of self-worth and self-belief.

You can take immediate steps to project greater self-confidence and address the factors that dent it. You can then develop these short-term strategies into ways to build and maintain self-confidence in the future.

Developing good habits, reviewing past achievements, and setting yourself targeted goals will improve your self-esteem, and build and maintain your confidence for the long term.

[1] Psychology Dictionary, Self-Confidence [online]. Available here .

[2] Bandura, A. (1997). ' Self Efficacy: The Exercise of Control ,' New York: Worth.

[3] Vodafone U.K., (2021). Lost Connections: Supporting returners into the workplace in 2021 and beyond [online]. Available here . [Accessed October 6, 2021].

[4] Lemola, S., Räikkönen, K., Gomez, V., et al. (2013). 'Optimism and self-esteem are related to sleep. Results from a large community-based sample,' International Journal of Behavioral Medicine , 20, 567-571. Available here .

You've accessed 1 of your 2 free resources.

Get unlimited access

Discover more content

Animated Video

How to Boost Your Self-Motivation Video

Video Transcript

Self-Directed Learning Video

Taking Ownership of Your Learning

Add comment

Comments (1)

I really appreciate this post! Lots of great ideas here!! I read another article tonight about how to increase self esteem (https://debpreston.com/how-to-increase-self-esteem/ if you're interested) and found a tip that I think would also apply to self-confidence...master a new skill! If you pursue your interests and hobbies and gain some level of expertise, or even more than the average bear, you've got that feather to stick in your cap and give you a boost. Thanks again!!

how to develop self confidence essay

Try Mind Tools for FREE

Get unlimited access to all our career-boosting content and member benefits with our 7-day free trial.

Sign-up to our newsletter

Subscribing to the Mind Tools newsletter will keep you up-to-date with our latest updates and newest resources.

Subscribe now

Business Skills

Personal Development

Leadership and Management

Member Extras

Most Popular

Newest Releases

Article a4edmqj

What Is Gibbs' Reflective Cycle?

Article acd2ru2

Team Briefings

Mind Tools Store

About Mind Tools Content

Discover something new today

Onboarding with steps.

Helping New Employees to Thrive

NEW! Pain Points Podcast - Perfectionism

Why Am I Such a Perfectionist?

How Emotionally Intelligent Are You?

Boosting Your People Skills

Self-Assessment

What's Your Leadership Style?

Learn About the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Way You Like to Lead

Recommended for you

Understanding albrecht's four types of stress.

Identifying Why We're Stressed Can Help Us Manage It.

Business Operations and Process Management

Strategy Tools

Customer Service

Business Ethics and Values

Handling Information and Data

Project Management

Knowledge Management

Self-Development and Goal Setting

Time Management

Presentation Skills

Learning Skills

Career Skills

Communication Skills

Negotiation, Persuasion and Influence

Working With Others

Difficult Conversations

Creativity Tools

Self-Management

Work-Life Balance

Stress Management and Wellbeing

Coaching and Mentoring

Change Management

Team Management

Managing Conflict

Delegation and Empowerment

Performance Management

Leadership Skills

Developing Your Team

Talent Management

Problem Solving

Decision Making

Member Podcast

Essay On Self Confidence

500 words essay on self confidence.

Self-confidence refers to the state of mind where a person pushes their boundaries and encourages belief within oneself. It is something which comes from self-love. In order to have confidence in yourself, one must love oneself to get freedom from constant doubt. This essay on self confidence will help you learn more about it in detail.

essay on self confidence

The Key to Success

It won’t be far-fetched to say that self-confidence is the key to success. If not, it is definitely the first step towards success. When a person has self-confidence, they are halfway through their battle.

People in school and workplaces achieve success by taking more initiatives and being more forward and active in life. Moreover, they tend to make better decisions because of having confidence in oneself.

Thus, it makes them stand out of the crowd. When you stand apart, people will definitely notice you. Thus, it increases your chances of attaining success in life. Alternatively, if there is a person who does not trust or believe in himself, it will be tough.

They will find it hard to achieve success because they will be exposed to failure as well as criticism. Thus, without self-confidence, they may not get back on their feet as fast as someone who possesses self-confidence.

In addition to gaining success, one also enjoys a variety of perks as well. For instance, you can find a job more easily. Similarly, you may find the magnitude of a difficult job lesser than it is.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Importance of Self Confidence

Self-confidence allows us to face our failure and own up to it in a positive light. Moreover, it helps us to raise many times. This helps instil a quality in use which ensures we do not give up till we succeed.

Similarly, self-confidence instils optimism in us. People who have self-confidence are not lucky, they are smart. They do not rely on others to achieve success , they rely on their own abilities to do that.

While self-confidence is important, it is also important to not become overconfident. As we know, anything in excess can be bad for us. Similarly, overconfidence is also no exception.

When you become overconfident, you do not acknowledge the criticism. When you don’t do that, you do not work on yourself. Thus, it stops your growth. Overlooking all this will prove to be harmful.

So it is essential to have moderation which can let you attain just the right amount of self-confidence and self-love which will assure you success and happiness in life.

Conclusion of the Essay on Self Confidence

All in all, a person will gain self-confidence from their own personal experience and decision. No one speech or conversation can bring an overnight change. It is a gradual but constant process we must all participate in. It will take time but once you achieve it, nothing can stop you from conquering every height in life.

FAQ on Essay on Self Confidence

Question 1: What is the importance of self-confidence?

Answer 1: Self-confidence allows a person to free themselves from self-doubt and negative thoughts about oneself. When you are more fearless, you will have less  anxiety . This is what self-confidence can offer you. It will also help you take smart risks and get rid of social anxiety.

Question 2: How do you develop self-confidence paragraph?

Answer 2: To develop self-confidence, one must first look at what they have achieved so far. Then, never forget the things you are good at. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, so focus on your strengths. Set up some goals and get a hobby as well. Give yourself the pep talk to hype up your confidence.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

tutor

  • Travelling Essay
  • Picnic Essay
  • Our Country Essay
  • My Parents Essay
  • Essay on Favourite Personality
  • Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
  • Essay on Knowledge is Power
  • Essay on Gurpurab
  • Essay on My Favourite Season
  • Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Google Play

Duke TIP Navigator

The official magazine for TIPsters in 4th–6th grade

Turning Fear into Confidence—A Personal Essay

October 14, 2020

Facing obstacles throughout your life is inevitable, and the obstacles you overcome can define who you are as a person. Not only will this build character and self-confidence, it will show others how strong you remained and inspire them to overcome their own challenges.

But overcoming obstacles is no simple task. Most obstacles are incredibly hard and testing. Yet, by overcoming them, you will come to understand why they are important. The significance of overcoming obstacles in life is to make you more grounded, courageous, and wise. For me, one of these life-altering obstacles emerged during my undergraduate years.

I had a serious fear of public speaking. There were times where I would struggle with presentations and in-class discussions. When these sessions would take place, my fear built up in a pressure cooker of discouragement and convulsive anguish. I felt humiliated before my teachers, partners, and most of all, my close friends. I soon realized, however, that the same people who seemed to be the source of my fear became my lifeline, their inspirational words filling my mind and heart with positive thoughts.

Seeing my struggles, my peers tried to build me up, to increase my confidence in myself and convince me that anything, including overcoming my fear of public speaking, could be accomplished with enough enthusiasm and belief in oneself.

The obstacles we face in life can distort how we see ourselves and cripple our ability to face our fears. By facing these conflicts head on, though, we can completely flip their effect on us, transforming them into experiences that strengthen our resilience and push the boundaries of what we think is possible to achieve.

Taking everything into account everything I’ve learned from this experience and many others like it that I’ve encountered in my life, it’s clear that obstacles are impossible to avoid, and when you do encounter them, you must view them as learning opportunities. You might just surprise yourself at how easily you overcome them.

how to develop self confidence essay

This post was written by Duke TIP’s outgoing Marketing & Communications intern, Christina Gordon. Christina graduated from North Carolina Central University in the spring of 2020.

' src=

About Duke TIP

The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization that has served over three million academically talented students in grades 4–12 since it was founded in 1980. Collaborating with educators and parents, TIP helps gifted students assess the extent of their academic abilities with above-grade-level testing, recognizes them for their achievements, and provides them with a variety of enrichment benefits as well as accelerated face-to-face and online educational programs.

Logo

Essay on Building Self Confidence

Students are often asked to write an essay on Building Self Confidence in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Building Self Confidence

What is self confidence.

Self-confidence is a feeling of trust in one’s abilities, qualities, and judgment. It is a key part of success in life. When you believe in yourself, you can face challenges with ease. Self-confidence is not about being perfect, but about knowing your worth even with your flaws.

Importance of Self Confidence

Self-confidence is very important. It helps you to speak up, take risks, and face challenges. It makes you feel good about yourself. When you’re confident, you’re more likely to try new things. This can lead to more experiences and success.

Building Self Confidence

Building self-confidence takes time and effort. Start by setting realistic goals and working towards them. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Learn from your mistakes instead of feeling bad about them. Try to stay positive and surround yourself with positive people.

Role of Positivity

Being positive can boost your self-confidence. Try to focus on the good things in your life. Be kind to yourself and others. Remember, everyone makes mistakes. It’s how you learn and grow. So, always stay positive and believe in yourself.

In conclusion, self-confidence is very important. It helps you to face challenges and achieve your goals. Remember, it’s okay to make mistakes. Learn from them and keep moving forward. Always believe in yourself, stay positive, and you can build your self-confidence.

250 Words Essay on Building Self Confidence

Self-confidence is the belief in oneself and one’s abilities. It’s like a bright light inside you that shines when you believe in what you can do. It’s a key part of success and happiness.

Why is Self Confidence Important?

Being self-confident helps you face challenges and overcome fears. It helps you do better in school, sports, and hobbies. Self-confident people are more likely to try new things, take risks, and solve problems.

Building self-confidence is like building a muscle. It gets stronger with practice. Here are some steps to build your self-confidence.

Start by setting small goals that you can achieve easily. Achieving these goals will make you feel good about yourself and boost your confidence.

Positive Self-Talk

Speak to yourself in a positive way. Instead of saying “I can’t do this”, say “I will try my best”. This positive self-talk can help build your confidence.

The more you practice, the better you get. Whether it’s math, reading, or a sport, practice can help you improve and make you feel more confident.

Don’t Fear Failure

Everyone makes mistakes. It’s part of learning. Don’t be scared of failing. Instead, learn from your mistakes and keep trying.

Believe in Yourself

The most important step in building self-confidence is to believe in yourself. You are unique and capable. Believe in your abilities and let your confidence shine.

Remember, building self-confidence takes time. Be patient with yourself, keep trying, and never give up. You can do it!

500 Words Essay on Building Self Confidence

Self-confidence is the belief in oneself and one’s abilities. It’s like a bridge between your mind and your actions. When you have self-confidence, you trust your own skills and are not scared to try new things. You feel ready to face any challenge that comes your way.

Self-confidence is important for many reasons. First, it helps you to feel good about yourself. This feeling can make your life happier and more enjoyable. Second, it helps you to reach your goals. When you believe in yourself, you are more likely to take action and work hard to achieve what you want. Third, it helps you to handle stress and problems better. If you trust your ability to solve problems, you won’t panic or feel stressed when things go wrong.

Steps to Build Self Confidence

Building self-confidence is like planting a seed and helping it grow. It takes time and care. Here are some steps you can take to build your self-confidence.

Set Realistic Goals

Start by setting goals that you can achieve. They should be challenging, but not impossible. When you achieve these goals, you will feel proud of yourself. This can boost your self-confidence.

Practice Regularly

Just like learning a new skill, building self-confidence requires practice. Try to do things that make you uncomfortable or scared. The more you do them, the more confident you will become.

Think Positively

Your thoughts can affect your self-confidence. Try to think positively about yourself and your abilities. If you make a mistake, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, learn from it and move on.

Surround Yourself with Positive People

The people around you can influence your self-confidence. Try to spend time with people who are positive and supportive. They can help you to feel good about yourself and boost your self-confidence.

Take Care of Your Body

Your physical health can affect your self-confidence. Try to eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. When you feel good physically, you are more likely to feel good mentally.

Building self-confidence is a journey, not a destination. It’s about learning to trust yourself and your abilities. It’s about facing your fears and overcoming challenges. And most importantly, it’s about believing in yourself, even when things get tough. So, start today, take small steps, and watch your self-confidence grow.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

  • Essay on Building Relationships
  • Essay on Building Mutual Understanding
  • Essay on Building A House

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Essay Topic Generator
  • Summary Generator
  • Thesis Maker Academic
  • Sentence Rephraser
  • Read My Paper
  • Hypothesis Generator
  • Cover Page Generator
  • Text Compactor
  • Essay Scrambler
  • Essay Plagiarism Checker
  • Hook Generator
  • AI Writing Checker
  • Notes Maker
  • Overnight Essay Writing
  • Topic Ideas
  • Writing Tips
  • Essay Writing (by Genre)
  • Essay Writing (by Topic)

Self-Confidence Essay: Writing Guide, Topics, & Sample

The picture provides introductory information on a self-confidence essay.

Problems with self-confidence are relatively common, especially among teenagers and young adults. We all have experienced a lack of self-confidence in certain situations.

What can be the main factors causing low self-esteem?

  • Fear and anxiety. It comes from self-doubt and the comparison of yourself to others.
  • Lack of motivation. It happens because of criticism or other factors.
  • Lack of support. Approval or help from peers or mentors is essential.
  • No sense of authenticity. Feeling confident in who you are, gives a great source of power.

It is essential to address these issues as soon as possible. They can lead to problems with communication, personal growth, and difficulties in studies or career.

In this article, our expert team explains how to write a paper about self-confidence. You’ll find writing tips, topics, and an essay example at the end.

  • ✍️ Writing a Self-Confidence Essay
  • 🧾 82 Topics
  • ✒️ Essay Sample

✍️ Essay on Self-Confidence – How to Write

Let’s start with the basics. Follow the steps below to prepare your paper smartly.

1. Choose a Topic

When you write about self-confidence, try to make your topic more specific .

Example of a bad topic: Why is self-confidence important to every person?

Example of a good topic: The connection between self-confidence and studying performance among first-year students.

The first topic is rather general and probably very common. The second one is narrower and implies that you have researched and prepared the paper.

2. Make an Outline

Planning your essay will save you some time and help you focus on the essential aspects.

Here is how to build an outline:

3. Research

Depending on the topic, you might need to conduct research. Don’t choose sources like Wikipedia or forums in your paper; read them only to overview the issue.

Here is why research is always beneficial:

  • Information inspires, even if you don’t plan to use particular materials.
  • Sources will add your writing some quality and competence.
  • It will help you define if your topic is overused or too narrow.

Use these tips to write an essay easily:

  • Start with body paragraphs and finish with a conclusion or introduction.
  • Create several drafts or versions of your essay and choose the best one.
  • Proofread and check for plagiarism.
  • If you write a narrative essay based on personal experience, don’t forget about the academic requirements.

🧾 82 Self-Confidence Essay Topics

Here is our selection of the best self-confidence essay topics.

  • The correlation between self-confidence and career expectations. Use research to show the connection between ambitions and confidence.
  • How does stereotyping affect self-confidence in communication? Explain your opinion about popular stereotypes and people’s ability to confront them using their confidence.
  • The reasons why self-esteem is as important as intelligence in the educational sphere. Describe your experience or use statistics to prove this statement.
  • The factors that influence the formation of children’s self-esteem. Describe the aspects connected with family, peers, education, hobbies, etc.
  • What professions demand a high level of self-confidence? Choose from one to three careers and explain the role of confidence in them.
  • What are the negative sides of being too self-confident? Use something you have experienced, a real story, or a book or film plot to develop this topic.
  • Why are many people confident only in some spheres of their life ? Describe this phenomenon and connect it with your life or research data.
  • Discuss the impact of self-confidence in relationships with family members. Write about the competition that often takes place in families and how it is connected with confidence.
  • How not to let criticism harm self-confidence. Explain how to embrace problems and use criticism for your personal growth.
  • What is the difference between having high self-esteem and being selfish ? Compare these concepts and provide your readers with similarities and differences.
  • How do bullying and discrimination affect teenagers’ self-esteem?
  • Describe the situation when you wish you had more self-confidence.
  • Adolescents’ depression: Issue analysis .
  • The factors that show that a child has problems with self-confidence.
  • Teachers’ sense of self-efficacy .
  • Is it easier for self-confident people to succeed in life?
  • Low self-esteem women and their relationships with men.
  • How to prepare for a public speech if you are not confident enough?
  • Depression development and its causes .
  • How does self-esteem affect romantic relationships?
  • Digital self-harm, causes, and interventions: Annotated bibliography .
  • Define the importance of self-confidence in stressful situations.
  • Motivational strategies to enhance the student’s self-efficacy .
  • What are the best strategies to boost self-confidence as a student?
  • How does a divorce affect children’s self-esteem?
  • Digital self-harm overview: Causes and interventions .
  • How does self-confidence influence people who work in creative industries?
  • Social psychology: Group influence on the self .
  • Define the word “confidence” using your life experiences.
  • Depression in adolescents .
  • Is it possible to lose your confidence completely?
  • The developing discipline and self-concept in early to mid-adolescence .
  • The importance of counseling in educational institutions.
  • Competence and self-esteem in human relations .
  • How to define if you have issues with self-confidence?
  • Is self-confidence a character feature you have naturally or need to develop?
  • Self-harm and suicide among adolescents .
  • How to define if the person is confident based on their body language?
  • How does child neglect affect a child’s self-esteem in adulthood ?
  • Is it easier for confident people to make friends?
  • Suicide prevention: Bullying and depression .
  • Do you consider yourself a confident person?
  • What are the negative outcomes of being too self-confident?
  • Define what is meant by “child neglect becomes self-esteem.”
  • How does capitalism regard individualism and self-confident people?
  • What are the things self-confidence depends on?
  • Childhood bullying: Depression and suicidal attempts .
  • Do you need a specialist to eliminate problems with self-confidence?
  • Native American adolescent females and self-esteem concerns .
  • How does self-confidence influence life choices?
  • How would you explain the word “self-confidence” to someone who doesn’t speak English?
  • Bullying and participation in classes .
  • How does learning new things boost students’ self-confidence?
  • Instagram addiction and self-esteem in high school students .
  • Why should teachers do their best to boost their students’ self-confidence?
  • How does lack of self-confidence affect kids’ motivation to learn?
  • Childhood trauma and bullying: Adulthood effects .
  • The connection between self-confidence and social acknowledgment in high school.
  • Obesity and self-esteem in children and adolescents .
  • How does lack of self-confidence affect mental health?
  • How to embrace failures as a self-confident person?
  • The relationship between bullying and participation in physical education classes .
  • How can parents influence children’s self-esteem?
  • The role of self-confidence in nursing clinical practice .
  • How does external motivation help to build self-confidence?
  • Teenage suicide: The silent killer of the youth .
  • How do sports help to build your self-confidence?
  • Bullying in schools: History, causes, and solutions .
  • What is the difference between self-love and self-confidence?
  • Self-esteem measurement scale proposal .
  • What are the challenges underconfident teenagers face at school?
  • The influence of a toxic social environment on self-confidence.
  • Teenage suicide factors and psychological aspects .
  • The connection between stress resilience and self-confidence among young adults.
  • Risk factors for deliberate self-harm .
  • How to practice self-confidence daily?
  • The relationship between teenage suicide and depression .
  • Does overcoming challenges and solving problems make you more self-confident?
  • LGBTQ students’ bullying in schools .
  • Describe your experience when self-confidence helped you to succeed.
  • Statistics: Teachers’ self-efficacy and gender .
  • The importance of self-confidence in a highly competitive environment.

✒️ Self-Confidence and Healthy Life Essay

In the end, check our examples of a self-confidence essay.

When we start thinking about leading a healthy lifestyle, the first things that come to our minds might be nutritious food, regular sports, and getting enough sleep. It can be not so obvious, but having enough self-confidence is a reasonable basis for a healthy lifestyle. Self-confidence influences mental and physical health because it defines how you treat yourself and your relationships and enables you to enjoy your accomplishments fully. If you are self-confident, you value and treat yourself the way you deserve it. Wasting your time and effort on the things you do not need becomes redundant. It also means that you are optimistic and know what you want most of the time. Such an approach helps to reduce anxiety and stress levels. Self-confident people surround themselves with positive relationships that are beneficial for their health. They are not afraid to say “no” to those they do not like. Self-confidence also helps you establish relationships based on mutual respect and understanding each other’s self-worth. This is how you can protect yourself from toxic people and useless interactions. Knowing that you succeeded because you deserve it brings more positive emotions. When you lack self-confidence, you might undervalue your effort and think that you simply got lucky. Confident people know that they invested their resources and received a particular reward. Establishing this logical connection not only maintains but also boosts confidence. Self-confidence can be a great thing to start with if you want to improve your health. It also makes you surround yourself with the right people and experiences. Knowing your self-worth, having a positive social circle, and appreciating your achievements are always beneficial to mental health.

We hope this article was full of useful information for you. Here’s a list of other materials and study tools we recommend considering:

  • 146 Interesting Essay Topics: Unique Ideas for a Good & Fun Paper + Tips.
  • How to Write a 1500-Word Essay: Structure & Example
  • 200+ Informative Speech Topics for College Students.
  • Online Thesis Maker + Sample Thesis Statements [Free]

Logo for Idaho Pressbooks Consortium

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

9 Building Self-Confidence in Writing

On building self-confidence in writing.

by A. J. Ortega

  • Think About Confidence
  • Build Your Own Self-Confidence
  • Self-Confidence Within the Writing Process
  • Final Thoughts

THINK ABOUT CONFIDENCE

When we are good at something, we are also confident in doing it. Sometimes it is helpful to look at examples of people who are exceptional at something and figure out why they are so confident. As you read this article, you will examine a couple of popular examples of self-confidence, understand how to develop your own, and eventually use it become a more confident writer.

One of the most confident boxers was Muhammad Ali. In this short video clip from the documentary  When We Were Kings , Muhammad Ali speaks at a press conference before fighting George Foreman. Remember that everything we study has context, so here is a little bit of history to preface the clip:

  • Almost everyone, from sports analysts and fans, had George Foreman picked to win this fight, called “The Rumble in the Jungle.”
  • Foreman had 40 fights and almost all were knockouts.
  • Foreman entered as the current champion, after defeating Joe Frazier in two rounds.
  • Ali was a 4-to-1 underdog.
  • Ali changed his name from Cassius Clay for religious reasons and thus refers to himself as such, in the third person, when referring to the past.

Now, with that context in mind, here’s the short video (the first 1:20):

Critical Thinking

What people typically take away from this, and what is perhaps most memorable and enjoyable, is the flowery language, funny rhymes, and playful attitude. Most of us think that is confidence. But, if we look closer and study the language, the more introspective Ali is revealed. The confidence is demonstrated when he says things like this:

  • “That’s when that little Cassius Clay … came up and stopped Sonny Liston. … He was gonna kill me!”
  • “I’m better now than I was when you saw that 22-year-old undeveloped kid running from Sonny Liston.”
  • “I’m experienced now.”
  • “[My] jaw’s been broke, … been knocked down a couple times.”

Without those lines, Ali could be characterized as arrogant, pompous, or cocky. But, as we can see through his language, he actually admits his faults and shortcomings. He reflects and makes no excuses for losing a couple of times in his past. In fact, he uses this as fuel to improve and build his confidence. He wasn’t born confident. He calls himself “undeveloped” at one point. As we know, he becomes quite developed in a specific skill: boxing. And he won the fight against Foreman in spectacular fashion.

BUILDING YOUR OWN SELF-CONFIDENCE

But what does this have to do with writing? Muhammad Ali was a boxer and this is English class, right? In order to see the connection a bit clearer, we have another video clip. This piece is by a soccer coach. Another athlete. It may seem off topic, but these are people with high-level skills. Soccer is a skill. Boxing is a skill. And writing is a skill. These are not merely talents or gifts. And, believe it or not, self-confidence is a skill.

This piece is a bit longer, a TEDxTalk that clocks in at about thirteen minutes but is worth every second. The title is “The Skill of Self-Confidence” by Dr. Ivan Joseph. In it, Dr. Joseph explains that, as a coach, he believes self-confidence can be trained.

While Dr. Joseph says he doesn’t use note cards and warns that his talk may go all over the place, he is very well-organized. In some ways, speeches like this are verbal essays. His thesis, or argument, is that self-confidence is a skill that can be developed. He gives us four ways to do this, along with personal examples:

  • use repetition (persistence)
  • stop negative self-talk (and start positive self-talk)
  • build confidence in others (catch them when they’re good)
  • take criticism or analyze feedback (in a way that benefits you)

As you can see, confidence can be developed and improved. These tips aren’t just about soccer or student athletes. This can be applied to a multitude of tasks, goals, skills, or hobbies.

SELF-CONFIDENCE WITHIN THE WRITING PROCESS

First you saw a good example of self-confidence in boxer Muhammad Ali. Then you watched Dr. Ivan Joseph explain that self-confidence is a skill that can be developed, just like any other. Now we are ready to see some of this applied to the writing process. Despite the range of writing genres out there, several of the fundamental steps in the writing process are universal. You can observe this in essayists, poets, screenwriters, songwriters, reporters, and so on.

For this example, I want to share a video from  The New York Times ’ Diary of a Song series on YouTube. This episode focuses on English musician Ed Sheeran and his writing process as he came up with “Shape of You.” I actually don’t know a ton about him except his songs are everywhere. He holds all sorts of records for album sales and song downloads, and he’s an international star for his music. He’s won awards for his singing and songwriting. Even if it is not your type of music, generally, it is undeniable that Sheeran is prolific and successful. And he is, in part, a writer.

On top of employing some of the strategies from the TEDxTalk, Ed Sheeran also reminds us of several parts of the writing process:

  • brainstorming

Sheeran has brainstorming sessions with his producers and co-writers. He even outlines the song with the beat and uses his vocal mumbling as placeholders. He drafts the song by trying lyrics, trying different lyrics, and then deciding which is better. He does revision through a type of peer review with his collaborators. He edits lyrics based on feedback.

It should be pointed out that this song was written quickly, which is unique. But with all of the practice he has at songwriting, and the confidence he’s built along the way, it should be expected that he is faster at writing a song than the average person. In other words, he’s put in the work, just like Muhammad Ali or Michael Jordan.

Even still, there are other writing tips to pick up from Sheeran’s process. For example, he even steps away from his work to play with Legos, which is imperative to big writing projects. This is why you need to take time on your writing projects—so you can get away and do something else for a while, which sometimes ignites a creative spark, or at least provides your mind a rest.

FINAL THOUGHTS

When learning the writing process, it is important to remember that you can build that skill with practice. Providing an opportunity to practice the writing process is part of what college English courses are supposed to do for you.

Similarly, the skill of self-confidence can also be developed. It isn’t an innate skill. It isn’t something you were just born with. Now you have examples of self-confidence from figures in sports and entertainment, but you also have some strategies to work on cultivating it for yourself. You can utilize this skill and continue to grow in your writing classes, subject courses, workplace, and beyond.

Building Self-Confidence in Writing Copyright © 2020 by Liza Long; Amy Minervini; and Joel Gladd is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Become a Writer Today

Essays About Confidence: Top 5 Examples and 7 Prompts

Confidence is an important quality everyone should have; if you are writing essays about confidence, have a look at our featured examples and writing prompts.

What is confidence? This quality shows a belief that we are enough; we are happy with who we are and proud of every part of ourselves. When we are confident, we do not doubt ourselves or others, and to an extent, we are quite brave and trusting.

We can be confident in ourselves or others; however, it is important to remember that too much confidence is detrimental. When we are too confident in others, we can fail to see their shortcomings. This applies to ourselves as well; in this case, we are also much more likely to develop negative traits such as arrogance.

5 Top Essay Examples

1. the dark side of having confidence by tomas chamorro-premuzic, 2. self confidence essay by stanley graves, 3. what real confidence looks like by jessica wildfire.

  • 4.  Where Confidence Comes From by John Gorman
  • 5. ​​Personal reflections on self-confidence by Jeremy Jordan

1. What Does it Mean to Be Confident?

2. what makes you feel confident, 3. how do you lose confidence, 4. who embodies confidence for you, 5. why is confidence important, 6. confidence vs. arrogance, 7. a time you showed confidence.

“Although Asian cultures are much more prone to foment self-criticism, humility, and self-knowledge (over self-confidence, arrogance, and narcissism), the West may be globalizing narcissism, probably not in a deliberate attempt to reduce the work ethic and humility of the East, though it may well have that effect. One of the most toxic and problematic cocktails combines high aspirations with a low work ethic—the very definition of narcissistic entitlement. The only fix is to get a reality check and risk becoming depressed, unless you distort reality forever.”

Chamorro-Premuzic discusses a phenomenon by which people have so much confidence that it transforms into narcissism and arrogance. He enumerates some of the negative effects of too much confidence, including a lack of self-awareness and humility, while commenting on society’s almost toxic obsession with confidence and self-esteem. In this essay, he stresses that not everyone needs to be super confident and that humility is a useful attribute to have as well. 

Looking for more? Check out these essays about empathy and essays about gratitude .

“Self-confidence is something that cannot be taught. It is up to someone to decide how much belief that they possess inside of themselves. I am at the point where I realize that I must first believe in myself before others will believe in me. Nobody teaches us to be happy or sad. They are natural feelings that come along as we develop mentally, physically, emotionally and psychologically.”

In his essay, Graves explains the aspects of self-confidence. Fake self-confidence is when people project themselves as proud and confident when in reality, this is a front to make them seem more impressive than they are. Temporary self-confidence is when an achievement of yours helps you feel confident, even if this feeling fades after a while. The author discusses that true self-confidence is when one truly believes in themselves and their capabilities. 

“Nobody forges confidence that we can just slip on like a bat suit. It would be great if it were that easy. Instead, we demonstrate confidence through actions. We perform acts of confidence, even when we’re feeling nervous. We do it every time we make a plan, take a chance, seek out solid advice, confront our faults, and handle a tough situation because others depend on us.”

Wildfire explains the difference between fake and real confidence and some ways to build the latter. She gives examples of things confident people do, such as exploring new opportunities, taking feedback, whether good or bad and admitting when they are wrong or uncertain. Rather than thinking of confidence as something possessed, Wildfire encourages readers to think of it as exercised through our actions. 

4.   Where Confidence Comes From by John Gorman

“It isn’t entirely translatable to every area of my life, but more of it exists now than there did before I’d started falling. Confidence is, in fact, a product of repetition … but not a product of success — it’s a product of failure. It’s knowing what the fall feels like and being familiar enough with it that you can be comfortable with the risk.”

Gorman discusses his idea of confidence, both what it is not and what it should be. It is not inherent, nor comes from our successes; instead, it is a product of a healthy mindset and learning from one’s mistakes, using those mistakes to improve oneself. The key to confidence, Gorman says, is to take our failures as opportunities to improve ourselves rather than defeat. You might also be interested in our list of essays about effective leadership and essays about attitude .

5. ​​ Personal reflections on self-confidence by Jeremy Jordan

“A great deal of learning takes place while you’re struggling; when you do something new, your brain is taking in a lot of information that may not be immediately processed. The way I see it is that I should load up my brain with as much information as possible so there’s more data to learn from. Rather than not seeing results and giving up, I place trust in the learning process and know that my efforts will be rewarded.”

Jordan gives readers tips on improving one’s confidence. He says to surround yourself with supportive people, have good communication skills, and sometimes take risks, among other tips. Most importantly, however, he explains the importance of understanding failure, pain, and struggle, embracing them, learning from our setbacks, and using them to improve. 

7 Writing Prompts on Essays About Confidence

What does it mean to be confident?

People have many ideas of what confidence is or should be. Define confidence in your own words, describe what it means, and discuss what you think a healthy expression of confidence is. Draw inspiration from personal experience and give anecdotes describing certain people in your life to support your position. 

What inspires confidence in you? It may be someone in your life, a personal achievement, or other factors. Reflect on what makes you feel confident and describe it in your essay. Explain how it allows you to be more confident and give tips to people looking to find their confidence. 

Confidence can be lost just as quickly, if not faster than it is built up. Especially in the 21st century, various factors cause people to lose confidence, particularly among the youth. Research some of these and discuss each one in detail. Explain how each can make someone feel less confident and how one can regain this confidence. Check out these articles about beauty .

We all have role models we look up to. Regarding confidence, reflect on who you look to when you need a boost of confidence. It may be a loved one, a public figure, or even a fictional character; no answer is bad as long as it is adequately explained.

Confidence is said to be essential for success. In your essay, explain why confidence is so important in life. Support your explanation with ample evidence from your opinions and other sources; describe some situations in which confidence would be beneficial such as in interviews, public speaking, and social situations. 

Confidence vs. Arrogance

Arrogance is often considered the “negative form” or “negative effect” of confidence; there is a strong correlation between the two. Look into their similarities and connection, then differentiate the two. Also, explain how you can express confidence without being confident to the extent that it comes off as arrogant. 

For an exciting essay, look back on a time you are proud of wherein you showed confidence. Retell the story in detail, such as the events leading up to it and what made you “behave confidently.” Explain why you felt the way you did, how exactly confidence was manifested, and the effects of your confidence or confident actions. 

If you’re looking for more ideas, check out our essays about bullying topic guide ! If you still need help, our guide to grammar and punctuation explains more.

how to develop self confidence essay

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

View all posts

  • PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
  • EDIT Edit this Article
  • EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
  • Browse Articles
  • Learn Something New
  • Quizzes Hot
  • This Or That Game New
  • Train Your Brain
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
  • Psychological Health
  • Emotions and Feelings

How to Increase Your Self Confidence with Positive Daily Practices

Last Updated: March 30, 2024 Fact Checked

Practicing Self-Care

Learning to love yourself, leaving your comfort zone, how can you build self-confidence, helpful tips, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. She provides therapy to people who struggle with addictions, mental health, and trauma in community health settings and private practice. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 9,221,385 times.

When you walk into a room, do you glow with confidence? Do you believe in yourself? If not, we're here to help you go after your dreams and tackle your fears. We'll tell you exactly how to gain self confidence so you can take the world by storm. It’s time to embrace life and conquer your goals, so let’s get started!

Things You Should Know

  • Focus on your strengths and celebrate your successes. Always compare your progress to your past self, not others.
  • Practice positive self-talk and hang out with people who support you.
  • Take really good care of yourself by eating well, exercising, and getting proper sleep.
  • Push yourself out of your comfort zone by going after your goals, trying new things, and facing your fears.

Step 1 Wear what makes you feel good.

  • If you’re into fashion, stick to the styles that work best for you.

Step 2 Eat a healthy...

  • For breakfast, you might eat yogurt with chopped up fruit or a bowl of oatmeal with apples or bananas in it.
  • At lunch, you might have a tasty turkey wrap with lettuce and tomato and a side of baby carrots. Alternatively, you might prefer a salad with a pouch of tuna.
  • For dinner, you could eat grilled veggies with fish served over a bed of rice or sauteed veggies with grilled chicken and a baked sweet potato.

Step 3 Exercise...

  • Schedule exercise into your day so you won’t forget.
  • Invite your friend or partner to exercise with you to make it more fun. Plus, that way you’ll have an accountability partner.

Step 4 Get proper sleep...

  • Ideally, go to bed and get up at the same time every day so it becomes a habit. You’ll fall asleep easier this way and feel ready to get up in the morning.

Step 5 Meditate...

  • Insight Timer

Step 6 Practice gratitude...

  • You might write, “My family, my cat, books, coffee, sunshine, my friends, good chocolate, etc.”
  • It’s okay to repeat things on your list. Just write down the first 3 things that pop into your head.

Step 1 List your strengths...

  • Your list might include, “creative, helpful, smart, thoughtful, great dancer.”

Step 2 Celebrate your small successes.

  • Completing a project.
  • Baking an amazing pie.
  • Taking the first step toward a goal.
  • Winning an award at work or school.
  • Getting a compliment on something you did.

Step 3 Use positive self-talk to counter negative thinking.

  • “I believe in myself.”
  • “I can achieve my goals if I persevere.”
  • “I know I’m capable.”
  • “I’m so proud of how far I’ve come.”

Counselor Trudi Griffin reminds: "A lack of self-confidence results from years of internalizing negative messages about ourselves, but what if every negative thing you've ever heard about yourself from an outside source is wrong? Take time to analyze those messages to clear out the ones that bring you down."

Step 4 Accept compliments...

  • Say, “Thank you so much!” or “Aw, that’s so nice.”
  • Try to offer them a compliment in return, like “You look great, too.”
  • You can add the compliment to your list of strengths about yourself and use it to bolster your self-confidence.

Step 5 Stop comparing yourself...

  • Try to remember that what you see on social media is just the highlights of someone’s life. You usually don’t see the bad days and moments of self-doubt.

Step 6 Surround yourself with positive, supportive people.

  • Call a close friend or family member when you’re feeling down.
  • Ignore the “shoulds” you’re overly helpful family members tell you. Stay focused on what you want in life.

Step 7 Be kind to yourself.

  • “I’m doing my best, and that’s all I can do.”
  • “Everyone makes mistakes. It’s no big deal.”
  • “I’ll just treat this as a learning experience. Next time, I’ll do better.”

Step 8 Do things you enjoy.

  • Take a cooking class.
  • Go out with friends once or twice a month.
  • Get brunch.
  • Play a sport.
  • Start a band .

Step 1 Set and pursue...

  • You might set a goal to run a marathon , sell your art, write a novel , or get your dream job .
  • As you take steps toward your goal, your self confidence will increase.
  • Believe in yourself! You’ve totally got this.

Step 2 Try new things.

  • Take an art class.
  • Climb a rock wall.
  • Eat Korean barbeque.
  • Say “hi” to 10 strangers.
  • Bake enchiladas.
  • Stay overnight in a haunted house.
  • Ride a bike along a sea wall or boardwalk.

Step 3 Let go of perfectionism.

  • Everyone starts as a beginner, so don’t expect yourself to be “good” at everything right away. Keep going, and you’ll get where you want to be.
  • Sometimes you just have to release things into the world. Your painting, novel, or homemade banana bread might not be “perfect,” but it’s better to let people enjoy your creations than to hide them away.

Step 4 Treat failures as opportunities.

  • Let’s say you signed up for a marathon but ran out of time to train for it. You know for next time to give yourself more time to prepare for the race, and you’ll also be a better runner than you were when you first started.
  • Similarly, maybe you tried out for a play but got an ensemble role instead of the lead. You’ll learn a lot as part of the ensemble, and you’ll likely get feedback that you can use to improve your audition next time.

Step 5 Face your fears.

  • You might be afraid of public speaking. Join a Toastmasters club, join the debate team, or sign up to do a reading at an open mic.
  • Maybe you’re afraid of talking to people you don’t know. Challenge yourself to talk to 5 people you encounter everyday, like the cashier at the grocery store and the neighbor you pass on a walk.
  • Perhaps you’re afraid your writing isn't good enough. Attend a writers workshop and share something you wrote aloud.

Step 6 Help others...

  • You don’t have to do anything major to help others. Just being there for your family and friends can be enough.

how to develop self confidence essay

  • Push yourself to take the first step toward your goals, and you’ll get a big boost in confidence. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • If you want to improve at something, just practice . Everyone starts as a beginner. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

how to develop self confidence essay

You Might Also Like

Be Happy

  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201407/10-ways-feel-better-about-how-you-look
  • ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/self-esteem/art-20045374
  • ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23055029/
  • ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/how-many-hours-of-sleep-are-enough/faq-20057898
  • ↑ https://siyli.org/confidence-through-meditation/
  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/people-planet-profits/202203/how-build-your-self-confidence
  • ↑ https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/CCI/Mental-Health-Professionals/Self-Esteem/Self-Esteem---Information-Sheets/Self-Esteem-Information-Sheet---04---Acknowledging-Your-Positives.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/1-2-3-adhd/202111/why-its-important-celebrate-small-successes
  • ↑ https://ideas.ted.com/5-ways-to-build-lasting-self-esteem/
  • ↑ https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/buildingselfesteem/2015/05/how-to-stop-comparing-yourself-to-others
  • ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/tips-and-support/raise-low-self-esteem/
  • ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/self-esteem.html
  • ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/self-esteem.html
  • ↑ https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/AMBPP.2021.11888abstract
  • ↑ https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/fears-and-phobias/ten-ways-to-fight-your-fears
  • ↑ https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/buildingselfesteem/2015/09/volunteering-to-build-self-esteem

About This Article

Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS

To build self confidence, replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts like "I can do this" and "I'm beautiful the way I am." Try to focus on the things you're talented at, and realize that you don't have to be good at everything. You can also build more confidence by spending time with friends and family members that make you feel good about yourself. Finally, avoid comparing yourself to others and focus on being the best version of yourself instead. For more ways you can build self confidence, like exercising regularly, read the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No

  • Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Gerry Brennan

Gerry Brennan

Jun 25, 2017

Did this article help you?

how to develop self confidence essay

Lunga Cyril Dukashe

Oct 6, 2018

Anonymous

Nov 5, 2018

Isa Bailinov

Isa Bailinov

Dec 12, 2016

Mj Emma

Jul 2, 2017

Am I a Narcissist or an Empath Quiz

Featured Articles

Relive the 1970s (for Kids)

Trending Articles

How to Celebrate Passover: Rules, Rituals, Foods, & More

Watch Articles

Fold Boxer Briefs

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

  • Essay On Self Confidence

Self Confidence Essay

500 words self confidence essay.

Self-confidence is essential in achieving goals and success in your life. A person needs to have self-confidence to achieve success. Self-confidence is something that comes from within. It helps people think freely without any negativity and focus on their goals. A self-confident person has fewer chances of failure. People cannot achieve their goals without self-confidence because they are optimistic, eager, and positive by nature. It is also vital in leading a healthy and happy life. This Essay on Self Confidencewill help students know the importance of self confidence and boost their confidence.

Knowledge is the key to self-confidence. It helps you to understand your capabilities. The power of knowledge can be used to protect yourself from failure. If knowledgeable people surround you, they will support you and even advise you with good ideas and suggestions.

Definition of Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is a term defined to explain people’s state of mind that makes them push boundaries and encourages them to believe in themselves. Self-confidence has the power to motivate people to do things that seemed to be impossible for them. A self-confident person possesses an attitude that nothing is impossible, and they accomplish everything in life. It is important to have strong self-confidence, to avoid failure in life.

The concept of self-confidence is divided into three levels; self-confidence based on feeling, self-confidence based on belief and self-confidence based on knowledge. These three levels are used in different combinations, and a person who lacks these three levels would typically be less confident.

Self-confidence helps a person improve their career, as it is simple for them to follow the rules and regulations of their job. It helps them to achieve success in their life. It also helps to strengthen relationships and work on leadership and communication skills. Overall, we can say that self-confidence is necessary to become independent in life.

The Key to Success

It won’t be wrong to say that self-confidence is the key to success or the initial step towards success. People in workplaces and schools achieve success when they voluntarily take the initiative and come forward actively in life. They even participate actively in the decision-making process, as they feel confident in themselves. If a person is self-confident about himself, he has won half the battle.

People will notice you when you make yourself unique and stand apart from the crowd. Thus, it helps in attaining success in life. A person should believe in himself to gain self-confidence. Self-confidence is necessary if you want to move forward in your career, too. Success comes with lots of perks. For example, you can find your desired job efficiently.

People with less self-confidence are scared of getting criticised and exposed to failure. So, you should work on your self-confidence to get back on your feet and succeed in life.

Importance of Self Confidence

A person with self-confidence can face any kind of challenge in life. They are not scared of hurdles because they are confident that they can handle any situation. On the other hand, some people are afraid of failure, making them under-confident. A person who lacks self-confidence will get scared and leave the task midway.

Self-confidence is considered the first step towards success. In today’s society, people who lack confidence are looked down upon. They are always neglected and left behind in the race of life.

However, many people are famous because of their extraordinary achievements. Success cannot be achieved overnight. It is a long process of hard work, patience and passion towards your desired field.

Conclusion of the Essay on Self Confidence

To live a successful and healthy life, self-confidence is an essential trait. For people who keep themselves calm and compose, everything seems more straightforward. People face challenges at some point, but they remain confident enough to trust their abilities and work accordingly.

A person gains self-confidence with their own experience. No one can bring changes overnight, nor can they be obtained from others. It is a slow and constant process, and we all should participate in it. It takes time, but once you achieve it, nothing can stop you from conquering every height in life. So, to hype up your confidence, always give yourself a pep talk.

From our BYJU’S website, students can also access CBSE Essays related to different topics. It will help students to get good marks in their exams.

Frequently Asked Questions on Self confidence Essay

How to build self-confidence.

One can build self-confidence by setting achievable goals, thinking positively and through constant practice and hard work.

Why is self-confidence important?

Self-confidence helps us to move freely with other people and also improves our communication in the workplace.

How does self-confidence affect success?

People who are confident automatically spread an aura and are more likely to get hikes and promotions.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

how to develop self confidence essay

  • Share Share

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

close

Counselling

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Confidence — Importance of Self-Confidence in Life

test_template

Importance of Self-confidence in Life

  • Categories: Confidence

About this sample

close

Words: 661 |

Published: Mar 14, 2019

Words: 661 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Works Cited:

  • Archibald, R., & Feldman, D. (2006). Graduation Rates and Accountability: Regressional Discontinuity Estimates of the Impact of Merit Aid on College Persistence. Journal of Human Resources, 41(4), 669-700.
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Unemployment rates and earnings by educational attainment. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm
  • College Board. (2021). Trends in College Pricing 2021. https://research.collegeboard.org/pdf/trends-college-pricing-2021-full-report.pdf
  • Deil-Amen, R., & Rosenbaum, J. E. (2003). The unintended consequences of merit aid: The impact on college access and choice. Journal of Higher Education, 74(4), 365-391.
  • Deming, D. J., Goldin, C., & Katz, L. F. (2012). The value of postsecondary credentials in the labor market: An educational perspective. American Economic Review, 102(4), 463-468.
  • Federal Student Aid. (n.d.). FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid. U.S. Department of Education. https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
  • Finnie, R., & Mueller, R. E. (2019). The financial returns from post-secondary education: A literature review. Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 49(1), 22-44.
  • Hout, M. (2012). Social and economic returns to college education in the United States. Annual Review of Sociology, 38, 379-400.
  • Jackson, C. K., Johnson, R. C., & Persico, C. (2016). The effects of school spending on educational and economic outcomes: Evidence from school finance reforms. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 131(1), 157-218.
  • Perna, L. W. (2010). Understanding the working college student. ASHE Higher Education Report, 35(3), 1-131.

Image of Dr. Oliver Johnson

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

author

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

  • Expert in: Life

writer

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3.5 pages / 1506 words

4.5 pages / 2031 words

4 pages / 1842 words

3 pages / 1321 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Importance of Self-confidence in Life Essay

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Confidence

I missed out on showing others what truly mattered to me, and the world missed out on what I had to give. Reacting like this for most of my life, slowly deluged my personal opinions of myself. I would always find more excuses on [...]

Marie Curie once said “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing, at whatever cost, [...]

It is very important to realize that the society we live in is very image centered society and it is expected of every individual to look their best. However this may have a lot of pressure on individual to look their best but [...]

There is no alternative to be confident in this era of competition. It is possible to develop self-confidence gradually by practicing some matter. Obtaining confidence is not an overnight issue. Long-term study and [...]

The ten letter word ‘Confidence’ is the prime key to success. Some people are born with this attribute; some have to work to achieve it, while others do not know how to acquire it. The significance of confidence lies in the [...]

Today Highly secure virtual grid is demanding in which you can share any resource from any cluster even with the existence of a fault in the system. Grid computing is a distributed computing paradigm that differs from [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Instructions Followed To The Letter
  • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
  • Unique And Plagiarism Free

how to develop self confidence essay

how to develop self confidence essay

5 steps to gaining confidence in essay writing

The student perspective series

Amelie Streller

By completing this form, you agree to Turnitin's Privacy Policy . Turnitin uses the information you provide to contact you with relevant information. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.

First year university students often feel pressure to achieve academic success while also participating in the stereotypical student experience such as joining societies, attending events, and making new friends. Balancing this with new academic processes such as increased workloads and prescriptive referencing rules—all vastly different to the experience at secondary school or college— can be challenging.

As a second-year student at Durham University, I’d like to share my story about how managing new writing challenges built my confidence and helped me maintain integrity , even when deadlines were quickly approaching. Here are a few pointers to build your confidence and reduce stress during the essay writing process. And if you're an educator, why not share my tips with your students?

Your first essay does not need to be perfect. Learning something new is, after all, one of the main reasons for attending university. By putting too much pressure on yourself, you are prone to feeling exhausted and burnt out, so instead, be your strongest ally. Use the comprehensive feedback your professors provide to hone your skills and improve your next piece of work. Often UK universities have policies in place that state your first year does not impact your final degree classification, providing the opportunity for you to learn, improve, and impress in second and third year.

Writing an essay can be hard when there are so many distractions. My advice is to invest your time well to minimise stress and the feeling of being overwhelmed during the writing and submission process. Increased planning will make essay writing much more enjoyable; instead of writing and researching for two days straight, you’ll be working on your essay for just a couple of hours every few days. In addition, you’ll have time for leisure activities such as going for walks, hanging out with friends or even watching Netflix.

In your first few weeks at university, professors quickly start discussing citation and referencing. It is important to know which referencing style your university uses, for example Harvard, MLA or APA. This is often covered in introductory lectures or shared with you in your Learning Management System, like Blackboard or Canvas, but if you’re struggling to locate it, make sure you ask your lecturer before you start your assignment.

Referencing, overall, does not need to take hours. A key tip is keeping track of all your references throughout the research process. If you wait until the end of your essay to start referencing, you run the risk of forgetting the origin of your quotes and being forced to remove them from your assignment since you should not include a quote without a full citation and reference.

The final step is submitting your paper. Try to keep in mind that all essays are learning experiences and you can relax after submission. Your institution might make you submit your assignment through an academic integrity software, such as Turnitin. This stage can sometimes induce anxiety for students, but, if harnessed correctly, education software, like Turnitin, can support students rather than inhibit them. If you have done your research, tried your best and your work is your own, you should have nothing to worry about.

Your module leaders are experts at writing academic papers and should be able to help you understand an assignment's requirements. Lecturers often have marking criteria that is a guide for them but can also benefit you in understanding how your teachers plan to mark your essay so you can plan and write in a way that meets their expectations.

These steps have been designed to help you build confidence in your own academic writing and produce high quality work that oozes integrity. Copying or bypassing rules may seem the easiest way to avoid these stressful situations, but from my experience, learning to write your own work and being confident in your own abilities is not only crucial at university but also later in life. Give those essays a go, make mistakes, and learn from them!

Gail Golden MBA, Ph.D.

5 Steps for Building Self-Confidence at Work

Practical tips to that go beyond "believe in yourself.".

Posted June 3, 2021 | Reviewed by Chloe Williams

  • Cultivating Confidence
  • Find a Self Esteem Therapist
  • Building confidence at work starts with doing great work, seizing learning opportunities and striving to be the best one can be.
  • Learning to silence and challenge one's inner critic can also be liberating and allow people to acknowledge their achievements.
  • Telling others — such as bosses, team members and customers — about one's achievements and not accepting mistreatment are also important.

Reading an article about how to build self-confidence at work recently, I stopped on the first piece of advice: “Believe in yourself.” If you believe in yourself, you don’t need to be reading an article about self-confidence. You’re already there.

After decades of working with clients who lack self-confidence, both as a therapist and later as a coach, I have learned there are five actual steps people can take to become more self-confident.

Pexels

1. Do great work.

If you’re doing crummy work and you’re self-confident, you’re delusional. Pay attention , seize as many learning opportunities as you can, and work hard to become the best you can be.

Just be aware that doing great work is not enough. Lots of people are outstanding at what they do, but they don’t believe it. They sell themselves short. They think their great performance is just a fluke. They don’t give themselves credit for their successes. That’s where step two comes in.

2. Silence your inner critic.

Most of us have a voice inside our heads that tells us how inadequate we are. I call that voice the “obnoxious roommate.”

I’m not saying we shouldn’t be self-critical. One of the ways you become great is by being tough on yourself and demanding better performance. But the obnoxious roommate isn’t helping you get better. He/she is holding you back by tearing you down no matter how good you are.

Getting rid of the obnoxious roommate is difficult. Sometimes the voice is echoing a parent or teacher who was relentlessly hard on you. But learning to be aware of that voice, to challenge it, and to silence it, is amazingly liberating.

3. Tell yourself you’re doing great work.

Once you’ve silenced unhelpful self-criticism, you can relish your achievements. Admire what you have done. This may feel unnatural at first. You may feel as if you’re being arrogant or boastful. But remember, this conversation is going on only inside your own head. You’re not showing off to anyone else. You’re just being honest with yourself that you did a great job.

4. Tell others you’re doing great work.

Then it’s time to “show off” to others. Too many people make the mistake of thinking their work speaks for itself. Usually, you have to let people know about your achievements. Again, I’m not talking about being boastful or self-aggrandizing. I’m talking about letting key people know when you’ve done something well.

Who are the key people? At work, they’re your stakeholders — your boss, your team, your customers, your investors. Outside of work, they’re your cheerleaders — the people who care about you and your success. When you share the good news with them, their positive response will affirm and support your self-confidence.

5. Don’t tolerate bad treatment.

People who know and appreciate their own value don’t accept mistreatment from others. They have a sense of their dignity and they don’t allow others to demean or abuse them. Sure, we all sometimes put up with rude or unpleasant behavior because it’s not worth making a fuss. But most of the time, if someone mistreats you, it’s important to stand up for yourself and call them on it. Over time, accepting bad treatment will undermine your self-confidence, so don’t let people get away with it.

That’s my five-step plan for confidence-building. It’s hard work — certainly harder than snapping your fingers and saying “believe in yourself.” It takes time, and you’re bound to have setbacks. No one with any sense of reality feels confident all the time, because sometimes we screw up and fall short and feel lousy about what we did. But self-confidence can be your baseline — the place where you live most of the time. And it feels great.

Gail Golden MBA, Ph.D.

Gail Golden, MBA, Ph.D., helps business leaders and organizations hit peak performance by drawing on her unique cross-background perspective as a licensed psychologist and an MBA-holding entrepreneur.

  • Find a Therapist
  • Find a Treatment Center
  • Find a Psychiatrist
  • Find a Support Group
  • Find Teletherapy
  • United States
  • Brooklyn, NY
  • Chicago, IL
  • Houston, TX
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • New York, NY
  • Portland, OR
  • San Diego, CA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • Seattle, WA
  • Washington, DC
  • Asperger's
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Chronic Pain
  • Eating Disorders
  • Passive Aggression
  • Personality
  • Goal Setting
  • Positive Psychology
  • Stopping Smoking
  • Low Sexual Desire
  • Relationships
  • Child Development
  • Therapy Center NEW
  • Diagnosis Dictionary
  • Types of Therapy

March 2024 magazine cover

Understanding what emotional intelligence looks like and the steps needed to improve it could light a path to a more emotionally adept world.

  • Coronavirus Disease 2019
  • Affective Forecasting
  • Neuroscience

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

  • Publications
  • Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

  • Advanced Search
  • Journal List
  • J Perinat Educ
  • v.26(3); 2017

Building Confidence

In this column, the editor of The Journal of Perinatal Education discusses the meaning of confidence and effective ways to build confidence for birth. The editor also describes the contents of this issue, which offer a broad range of resources, research, and inspiration for childbirth educators in their efforts to promote, support, and protect natural, safe, and healthy birth.

INTRODUCTION

I recently saw an inspirational poster with a quote that read “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” Although the poster did not acknowledge an author, the quote got me thinking about confidence and how we become confident. Is confidence something that is inherent for some people or is it a trait that can be enhanced? In other words, can we build confidence through preparation?

Putting on my researcher hat, I did the first thing most experienced researchers would do, I “Googled” the word “confidence” and found a useful self-help website called “Skills you Need: Helping you to Develop Life Skills” (2017) . Scanning the various links provided on this site I came across some information that said “confidence is not something that can be learned like a set of rules; confidence is a state of mind . . . Positive thinking, practice, training, knowledge and talking to other people are all useful ways to help improve or boost your confidence levels.” It went on to say, “. . . Confidence comes from feelings of well-being, acceptance of your body and mind and belief in your own ability, skills and experience.”

Positive thinking, practice, training, knowledge and talking to other people are all useful ways to help improve or boost your confidence levels.
Confidence comes from feelings of well-being, acceptance of your body and mind and belief in your own ability, skills and experience.

We know from experience that people often feel less confident about new or potentially difficult situations. One important factor in developing self-confidence is planning and preparing for the unknown. For example, when applying for a new job, it would be wise to prepare for the interview. Similarly, it is not only wise, but also essential to prepare for birth.

We invite readers to respond to the contents of this journal issue or share comments on other topics related to natural, safe, and healthy birth. Responses will be published as a letter to the editor. Please send comments to Wendy Budin, Editor-in-Chief ( [email protected] ).

It all made perfect sense to me. This information about confidence reinforced how Lamaze childbirth education is an essential tool to help women prepare and thus build confidence for birth. Through our classes and the evidence-based resources we provide, we promote many if not all of the strategies shown to increase confidence.

As I continued to ponder the many ways that Lamaze childbirth education helps to build confidence my UPS man delivered a package from Amazon containing copies of the award-winning Official Lamaze Guide, recently updated and renamed Giving Birth with Confidence, by Lothian and DeVries (2017) . Some of the new highlights in the new edition include: updated information on the role of hormones in starting and regulating labor and releasing endorphins to help alleviate pain; the latest on how birth practices may influence the baby’s microbiome; and current research, recommendations, and guidelines on controversial topics such as planned home birth, room sharing and co-sleeping, and the use and effects of alcohol, vitamins, and caffeine on pregnancy and the newborn. The authors Lothian and DeVries do an extraordinary job to simplify the miraculous process of birth in an easy-to-understand way, thus allowing the reader to feel empowered, informed, and confident rather than overwhelmed and fearful. What a wonderful resource this book is to include in our incredible arsenal of tools to help women build confidence for birth!

Information about Giving Birth with Confidence (updated 3rd edition of The Official Lamaze Guide) can be found on the Lamaze website at http://www.lamaze.org/officiallamazeguide

IN THIS ISSUE

In this issue’s Celebrate Birth column, Kaitlin Solimine shares a beautiful description of what she considers her “ordinary, everyday, boring birth story.” She eloquently articulates how when supported by appropriate childbirth professionals, the natural physiological process of childbirth can be an empowering, positive, and healthy experience for both mother and newborn. Her story is written with the intent to exemplify what a normal, prepared, supported birth can look like in a country where the vast majority of births involve various medical interventions.

The content of all JPE issues published since October 1998 is available on the journal’s Web site ( www.ingentaconnect.com/content/springer/jpe ). Lamaze International members can access the site and download free copies of JPE articles by logging on at the “Members Only” link on the Lamaze Web site ( www.lamaze.org ).

In this issue’s continuing education module, Bear and Mellor present Part I of a two-part series on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). This article “Alleviation of Physiological Problems in Premature Infants” provides an overview of the impact of prematurity on those features of neonates which KMC may be directed. Specifically, the mitigation of some cardiorespiratory, neurophysiological, sensory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, renal, metabolic and immunological impacts are outlined. Relevant neurobehavioral, psychosocial, sociocultural and economic perspectives will be reviewed in the Part II companion paper in our next issue. These two papers provide scientific support for a wider upscaling of KMC education and its cautious use in physiologically stable preterm infants. Stay tuned for Part II.

CenteringPregnancy, a form of group prenatal care is gaining increasing attention. In a qualitative study designed to understand the central meaning of the experience of providing CenteringPregnancy, for perinatal educators who were facilitators, Vekved and her co-investigators conducted one-on-one interviews with four perinatal educators and a validation focus group. Six themes emerged: (1) “stepping back and taking on a different role,” (2) “supporting transformation,” (3) “getting to knowing,” (4) “working together to bridge the gap,” (5) “creating the environment,” and (6) “fostering community.” These themes contributed to the core phenomenon of being “invested in success.”

Also in this issue, authors Grossniklaus and colleagues describe results of a quality improvement project that demonstrated improvement in breastfeeding supportive maternity care among hospitals participating in Best Fed Beginnings (BFB) as compared with non-BFB and other hospitals. The authors used CDC’s Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey data to calculate total and sub-scores for seven care domains. BFB hospitals had twice the increase in mPINC scores as compared to non-BFB and a three-fold increase compared to other hospitals. Learning collaborative participation may have accelerated progress in hospitals implementing breastfeeding supportive maternity care.

Soliday and Smith report the results of their innovative study to determine if teaching university students an introductory class about evidence based perinatal care would have an effect on future birth preferences. Students completed a “future birth plan” and an essay on how their learning affected care preferences. Analyses revealed that students selected evidence based care components up to 100 times more frequently than national data indicate they are used. Students based care selections on evidence, costs, and personal views. Their interest in physiologic birth has important implications for advancing education on perinatal care, practice, and policy.

Finally, Wise, Cantrell, Hadley, and Joyce describe the development of an evidence-based nutrition education program for pregnant adolescents based on Pender’s Health Promotion Model. Modifying unhealthy eating patterns among pregnant adolescents is critical because of their association with risk of poor pregnancy and birth outcomes. Thus, to sustain healthy behavior changes, nutrition interventions must be grounded in theory, and reflect both motivating factors and barriers to healthy eating. Factors such as taste preferences, personal self-efficacy, developmentally-appropriate nutrition education and hands-on meal preparation have been identified by these investigators as potential influences on dietary patterns in this population.

WENDY C. BUDIN is the editor-in-chief of The Journal of Perinatal Education . She is also Professor and Associate Dean for Entry to Baccalaureate Practice at Rutgers School of Nursing. She is a fellow in the American College of Childbirth Educators and member of the Lamaze International Certification Council.

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is sgrjpe_26_3_107_unfig01.jpg

Wendy C. Budin

  • Lothian J., & Devries C. (2017). Giving birth with confidence . New York: Simon and Schuster. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Skills You Need. (2011-2017). Building confidence . Accessed at https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/confidence.html

IMAGES

  1. Confidence Essay

    how to develop self confidence essay

  2. Confidence Essay

    how to develop self confidence essay

  3. Self confidence//write a self-confidence essay in english//write an

    how to develop self confidence essay

  4. Essay On Self Confidence for Students and Children

    how to develop self confidence essay

  5. Self Confidence and Motivation Free Essay Example

    how to develop self confidence essay

  6. Self Confidence Essay

    how to develop self confidence essay

VIDEO

  1. Self Confidence Essay/Paragraph || Self Confidence Essay in English

  2. Essay on Self Confidence ll Essay Writing in English ll Handwriting

  3. Self Confidence essay in English, 10 lines on Self-confidence, 5 lines, Smile please world

  4. Confidence

  5. Essay on Self Confidence in english

  6. Self Confidence essay in easy wording how can we build up confidence

COMMENTS

  1. How to Develop Self Confidence

    Self-confidence is ones status of being assured and having a strong belief in himself and his abilities. A person who is self-confident does not struggle too much to make decisions. This essay paper focuses on the three main steps of developing self-confidence. They include; initial preparation, setting out for the process, and accelerating ...

  2. How to Be More Confident: 9 Tips That Work

    Face Your Fears. Stop putting things off until you feel more self-confident—like asking someone on a date or applying for a promotion. One of the best ways to build your confidence in these situations is by facing your fears head-on. Practice facing some of your fears that stem from a lack of self-confidence.

  3. Building Strong Self-Belief: 16 Tips & Activities

    The team from the Mind Tools (2016) website listed several tips and suggestions for improving your self-confidence based on where you are on your journey: Preparing for your journey. a. Take inventory of what you have already achieved. b. Think about your strengths and weaknesses (but especially your strengths).

  4. 6 Proven Ways to Build Confidence

    5. Reframe your negative self-talk. When you talk down to yourself, you hold yourself back and decrease your confidence. Your subconscious buys into the idea that certain things are "too hard ...

  5. How to Build Self-Confidence

    1. Build Confident Habits. To develop and improve your self-esteem, aim to develop good habits - and break bad ones! Regular exercise and a healthy diet can dramatically improve your physical and mental health. And studies have shown that getting a good night's sleep is linked with increased optimism and self-esteem.

  6. Essay On Self Confidence for Students and Children

    Answer 1: Self-confidence allows a person to free themselves from self-doubt and negative thoughts about oneself. When you are more fearless, you will have less anxiety. This is what self-confidence can offer you. It will also help you take smart risks and get rid of social anxiety.

  7. Turning Fear into Confidence—A Personal Essay

    Turning Fear into Confidence—A Personal Essay. October 14, 2020. Facing obstacles throughout your life is inevitable, and the obstacles you overcome can define who you are as a person. Not only will this build character and self-confidence, it will show others how strong you remained and inspire them to overcome their own challenges.

  8. Essay on Building Self Confidence

    Self-confidence is important for many reasons. First, it helps you to feel good about yourself. This feeling can make your life happier and more enjoyable. Second, it helps you to reach your goals. When you believe in yourself, you are more likely to take action and work hard to achieve what you want.

  9. Self-Confidence Essay: Writing Guide, Topics, & Sample

    1. Choose a Topic . When you write about self-confidence, try to make your topic more specific.. Example of a bad topic: Why is self-confidence important to every person? Example of a good topic: The connection between self-confidence and studying performance among first-year students. The first topic is rather general and probably very common.

  10. Why Self-Confidence Is More Important Than You Think

    Less Fear and Anxiety. The more confident you become, the more you'll be able to calm the voice inside you that says, "I can't do it.". You'll be able to unhook from your thoughts and ...

  11. Building Self-Confidence in Writing

    In some ways, speeches like this are verbal essays. His thesis, or argument, is that self-confidence is a skill that can be developed. He gives us four ways to do this, along with personal examples: use repetition (persistence) stop negative self-talk (and start positive self-talk) build confidence in others (catch them when they're good)

  12. Essays About Confidence: Top 5 Examples And 7 Prompts

    5 Top Essay Examples. 1. The Dark Side of Having Confidence by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic. "Although Asian cultures are much more prone to foment self-criticism, humility, and self-knowledge (over self-confidence, arrogance, and narcissism), the West may be globalizing narcissism, probably not in a deliberate attempt to reduce the work ethic and ...

  13. Self Confidence Essay

    Self Confidence Essay: Self-confidence can be defined as the belief and assurance you feel towards yourself. It is not something you are taught in school, as confidence has to come from inside. In a way, it's freedom from doubting about every step you take in life. ... To develop self-confidence, one must also start loving themselves. 9.

  14. How to Build Self Confidence: 20 Ways to Be More Self Assured

    4. Get proper sleep. According to experts, being properly rested actually helps you have more self confidence. [4] The average adult needs at least 7 hours of sleep each night, while teens need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep. Follow a sleep schedule to help you get the sleep you need to glow with confidence. [5]

  15. Self Confidence Essay For Students In English

    500 Words Self Confidence Essay. Self-confidence is essential in achieving goals and success in your life. A person needs to have self-confidence to achieve success. Self-confidence is something that comes from within. It helps people think freely without any negativity and focus on their goals. A self-confident person has fewer chances of failure.

  16. On Building Self-Confidence in Writing

    In some ways, speeches like this are verbal essays. His thesis, or argument, is that self-confidence is a skill that can be developed. He gives us four ways to do this, along with personal examples: use repetition (persistence) stop negative self-talk (and start positive self-talk) build confidence in others (catch them when they're good)

  17. Importance of Self-Confidence in Life: [Essay Example], 661 words

    Self-confidence is accepting yourself with all your flaws and strengths and taking pride in them socially and within your head. By following these uncomplicated and legitimate ways you can totally boost up your self-confidence. Flaunt your flaws. The number one reason you are not confident is that you assume you have flaws.

  18. 5 steps to gaining confidence in essay writing

    2. You must plan and use your time effectively. Writing an essay can be hard when there are so many distractions. My advice is to invest your time well to minimise stress and the feeling of being overwhelmed during the writing and submission process.

  19. How To Build Self Confidence Essay

    Following passion is one way to encourage us to get self-confidence. 3. Create a simple target Set a big target sometimes give a burden to us, make a simple target to achieve something for our development, and do real action to realize it all. The success for achieving a simple target will lead to the next levels, and it's good to your.

  20. How to Build Confidence as a Woman I Psych Central

    Recap. Practicing self-compassion and learning to build boundaries are just some of the ways you can help boost your self-esteem. Cultivating higher self-esteem is important as it can benefit your ...

  21. 5 Steps for Building Self-Confidence at Work

    1. Do great work. If you're doing crummy work and you're self-confident, you're delusional. Pay attention, seize as many learning opportunities as you can, and work hard to become the best ...

  22. Building Confidence

    Confidence comes from feelings of well-being, acceptance of your body and mind and belief in your own ability, skills and experience. We know from experience that people often feel less confident about new or potentially difficult situations. One important factor in developing self-confidence is planning and preparing for the unknown. For ...

  23. Self Confidence and Positive Thinking

    The first and main way to improve your self-confidence is thinking positively. Thinking positively is being happy, healthy with optimism and powerful with hopes. (Lopper 2007) You have to be positive even though you are feeling negative. This is because thinking negatively is very much affecting your self-confident.