Confidence!  The two sides:  Self-Effectiveness and Self-Esteem

We gain a sense of self-effectiveness when we see ourselves mastering skills and achieving goals that matter. This is the confidence that, if we learn and work hard in a particular area, we’ll succeed; and it’s this type of confidence that leads people to accept difficult challenges, and persist in the face of setbacks.  Keep track of your skills, goals and accomplishments.

Skills Achieved ___________________________________________________

New Skills Desired ________________________________________________

Recent Goals Met _________________________________________________

Long Term Goals _________________________________________________

This overlaps with the idea of self-esteem, which 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. Self-esteem comes from the sense that we’re competent at what we do, and that we can be successful when we put our minds to it. In addition a feeling that people around us approve as well (which we really are unable to control).

Needless to say for women self-esteem is usually the area that “breaks” our confidence.  Take time to nurture your self-esteem by reflecting on the amazing things you have accomplished.  Now go tell everyone about it!