Confidence and self-esteem are two important words that work hand in hand. It plays a crucial role in individual's wellbeing and success. As far as I know, confidence can be defined as a belief in one's abilities, skills, and worth while self-esteem on the other hand is the total evaluation of one's value and worth. It is good to build a Child's confidence and self esteem from childhood but this shouldn't be mistaken for pride and rudeness. Some hide under the influence of confidence and being outspoken to behave rudely and in a non challant way but such shouldn't be condone.
While I was growing, I lack confidence and self-esteem at a point in my life which makes me feel inferior to my mates. I always avoid the camera because I had the believe that I'm not as beautiful as some of my classmates. I don't mingle with my peers like I should which turned me into an introvert that I never wanted to be. Not until I was able to build the confidence in myself and raise my self-esteem then I was able to face the world ahead of me which have helped me greatly till date.
Developing a strong sense of confidence and self esteem is important for personal growth as it allows individuals to take risks, pursue their goals, and navigate life challenges with positive mindset. High self esteem makes one belief in their abilities to get things done independently and positively. This promotes perseverance in hard times while low self esteem on the other hand leads to feeling of inadequacy, self-doubt and lack of motivation.
There are certain factors that promotes confidence and self-esteem, among which is family. The family where one grew into or hail from as a large part to play in building a Child's self-esteem and confidence. During the time where I was battling with inferiority complex, my parents made sure to groom me into letting go of such acts. I remembered my dad telling me never to be intimidated by people either my peers or elders and that's one big lesson I've learnt from my dad. He is very confident and his self-esteem is a top notch. My dad always say, if someone gift him money or any other materials now and in the next second, he or she offended him, he will gladly spell out the reality to such person that is by correcting and scolding where necessary making known his displeasure and still be grateful for the good thing he did.
Another factor is peer group, we've seen cases where children are bullied by their peers which creates fear in them. Being able to overcome fear is one way that confidence aids in personal growth. Whether it's speaking out in a meeting, applying for a new job, or launching a business, fear frequently prevents people from achieving their objectives. Consider experiencing anxiety before giving a presentation. You may quiet your inner critic, have faith in your preparation, and give your best effort if you are confident. Over time, each modest accomplishment boosts your confidence, allowing you to confront even greater obstacles.
Confidence also plays a vital role in setting and achieving goals. For example, if you want to save money, go for an interview, or writing an exam, you must believe you’re capable of succeeding and achieving that goal. Self-confidence allows you to take consistent actions toward your goals, even when progress feels slow. It’s the belief in your ability that keeps you motivated to push forward, to celebrate small wins, and stay focused on the bigger picture.
Another area where confidence helps in our personal growth is in building relationships. When you trust yourself and have belief, you’re more likely to express your thoughts and feelings openly without any form of phobia. This honesty strengthens connections with others and improves communication. For instance, being confident allows you to share your ideas at work or discuss issues with loved ones without fear of rejection. It bonds mutual respect and creates healthier, more fulfilling relationships.
Confidence also makes it easier to bounce back from failures. Life is naturally full of setbacks, but how you respond to them determines your growth. When you believe in yourself, failure becomes a lesson rather than a permanent roadblock. Imagine starting a project that doesn’t succeed; instead of giving up, a confident person analyzes what went wrong, learns from the experience, and tries again. This resilience is a vital part of personal development.
I could remember when a friend of mine started learning the trumpet. His colleagues were miles ahead of him in terms of growth. They learnt faster and he was the slowest person that learned the trumpet amongst his peers and instead of getting motivations and support, he was mocked by those that he never expected to do so but despite the distractions, he never gave up. He had a huge confidence in himself that he was going to play the trumpet so well someday and hevpicked up private rehearsals for himself even though it wasn't convenient for him but because he have a concrete mission for himself, he had to endure all the inconveniences to stay focused.
Fast forward to today, he play the trumpet better than most of his friends who mocked him then and some of them still learn from him. That's the uniqueness that Confidence can give to someone who is never weary nor tired of criticisms.
Confidence and self-esteem also helps you recognize your worth and set boundaries between you and people. When you value yourself, you’re less likely to accept situations or relationships that do not align with your goals and well-being which is natural.
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Ah-ha! True.
The environment as a factor that negatively affects self-confidence is so true. We all just need to be very careful and learn to guard our minds and turn instead to finding ways to broaden our mindset.
Absolutely right momma