Self-Confidence:
Introduce:
Self-confidence is the quiet belief that says, “I can.” It is not arrogance or overestimation—it’s the calm assurance that you can face challenges, learn, and grow. When you trust your judgment, respect your decisions, and remain open to improvement, you’re practising self-confidence. It’s not about knowing everything; it’s about believing that you can figure things out. Confidence acknowledges both your strengths and your limitations and encourages growth through experience. In today’s fast-moving and competitive world, technical skills and knowledge are crucial, but it is your inner belief that fuels resilience and long-term success. Self-confidence is built gradually through small wins, repeated practice, and self-awareness. In this blog, I’ll explore the everyday habits and mindset shifts that cultivate lasting confidence. If you’re ready to embark on a journey of becoming stronger and more self-assured—step by step—this book will be your companion and guide.
What is self-confidence?
Another name for trusting yourself is self-belief. “I can” — this realization. Imagine that you believe in your abilities, decisions, and thoughts. Confidence is a mental state where a person knows that a task may be difficult, but they can learn and do that task. Confidence does not mean blind faith in oneself. This is the ability to understand his limits and possibilities in light of reality. A confident person knows that he does not know everything, but if necessary, he can learn, make changes, and move forward.
Two types of Confidence:
Self-confidence is not innate; it is developed through experience, practice, and constant dialogue with oneself. Self-confidence is usually of two types based on a person’s inner and behavioural characteristics. For example-
a) Inner Confidence: Depends on one’s thoughts, values, and decisions. Rather than what someone else says or does, one focuses on one’s inner strength and perception.
b) Behavioral Confidence: It is expressed in one’s speech, body language, eye contact, and courage to express one’s opinion.
Elements of building confidence:
Self-confidence is not innate—it is a matter of practice, a mental state which is gradually built based on some essential elements. Each element acts as a pillar of confidence. Let’s find out what those elements are:
1. Self-Awareness
Who are you? Where are your strengths? Where are your weaknesses? What are you good at, and what do you need to work on more?
2. Self-Acceptance
Accepting your mistakes, limitations, or weaknesses without denying them is the beginning of true confidence.
3. Effort & Perseverance
If you fail once, try again. Continuing to try again and again is proof of confident thinking without giving up.
4. Courage
There will be fear, but making bold decisions in the face of fear is the true test of confidence.
5. Self-Encouragement
Praise yourself for your good work. Be kind to yourself.
Consequences of losing self-confidence:
When you lose self-confidence, various problems will arise in your life.
When self-confidence fades, life doesn’t remain the same. Simple decisions feel like mountains, and hesitation takes over action. Instead of growth, you begin to overanalyze and criticize yourself harshly. Negative thoughts repeat in loops, trapping your mind in self-doubt. Opportunities—whether personal or professional—slip away unnoticed. Your relationships begin to suffer, as you struggle to express yourself clearly or set boundaries. Alongside all this, a growing sense of anxiety and self-pity can quietly take hold.
It’s important to realize—this erosion of confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It often stems from deeper roots: difficult childhood experiences, constant external pressure, repeated setbacks, and the weight of society’s discouraging messages. Recognizing these causes is the first step toward reclaiming your confidence.
•If you feel anxiety and self-pity. This problem is never created in a day. It is created through childhood experiences, environmental pressure, repeated failures, negative messages from society, etc.
A real example of a person who has lost self-confidence:
One of my colleagues used to work in a perfect position in the ready-made garment industry. He had skills and experience. But suddenly, one day, due to some changes in the company, he lost his job.
For the first few days, he started trying for a new job with confidence. He gave one interview after another. There was no response from anywhere. Each rejection felt like a crack forming inside him. He started thinking,
“Maybe my skills are not enough…”
“The new generation is much smarter…”
“I must have become old…”
Slowly, he started withdrawing from himself and joined the family business, but he did not succeed there either. In this way, he gradually withdrew from everything because he could not believe that he was ever a good manager. This is a terrible form of losing confidence.
Pride vs. Self-Confidence
It is easy to say, “Self-confidence makes people respect, while pride destroys people.” But how? Let’s analyze it. We know that self-confidence takes us forward, while pride holds us back.
In this episode, we will analyze the difference between self-confidence and pride, real-life examples, and how to maintain self-confidence and stay away from pride. The basis of self-confidence is honesty, hard work, and humility; the basis of pride is self-praise and self-centeredness. We should nurture self-confidence and consciously stay away from pride. Pride has terrible consequences, and self-confidence can take a person to the pinnacle of progress.
Misconceptions and Reality:
In this episode, we will learn about the relationship between misconceptions. What is a misconception, how is it formed, how does reality break that mistake, and how can we consciously accept the truth with real examples? Humans only think, imagine, and build beliefs based on those thoughts. But many times, that belief does not match the truth; instead, it becomes a misconception. These misconceptions affect everything from personal life to society, culture, religion, education, and even state policy. Knowing reality requires an open mind, observation, and the courage to question one’s ideas.
Ways to build self-confidence:
1. Know yourself:
Write down your qualities, achievements, and interests. When your self-confidence is low, remind yourself of these.
2. Set small goals:
Small steps before big dreams. Every small success will make you feel “I can”.
3. Face your fears:
Take one step forward and do what you are afraid of. Even if it is not in one day, the fear will gradually disappear.
4. Have positive self-talk:
Replace the thought “I can’t do anything” with “I am trying, I am learning, I am improving”.
5. Accept failure:
If someone doesn’t fail, they don’t learn. Failure is a stepping stone to learning.
6. Change the environment:
A hostile, critical environment destroys self-confidence. Stay in touch with positive and encouraging people.
Symbol of Confidence: Dr. Muhammad Yunus”
Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus is not just an economist; he is a living symbol of confidence. When he came up with the idea of microfinance for poor rural women, many people joked about it, saying, “If you give loans to the poor, you will not get the money back!” But he did not lose faith.
He knew that if the intention is honest, social change is possible. His confidence in his thoughts, goals, and mindset kept him ahead, while others were left behind by doubt.
Grameen Bank’s microfinance model has been praised around the world and has found a place in the development strategies of many countries. His confidence has not only given a person a place in history but has also changed the lives of millions of people.
Dr. Yunus has proven that self-confidence is what transforms ordinary people into extraordinary people.
Steve Jobs – The Oscillation of Confidence and Arrogance:
Steve Jobs was not just a technology entrepreneur—he was a symbol of confidence. As the co-founder of Apple, he firmly believed that technology could change the world if it became part of the human experience. This confidence of his gave birth to the Mac, iPod, and iPhone.
But the problem began when confidence gradually turned into arrogance. He ignored the opinions of colleagues, made unilateral decisions, and thought that his own point of view was the only right one—for these reasons, Apple’s board removed him.
However, the story does not end there. Life taught him an important lesson. When he returned, he was more mature, humble, and a believer in listening leadership. When he shook off his arrogance and showed the way in the light of confidence, groundbreaking innovations like the iPhone and iPad came.
Conclusion:
Self-confidence is not a magic wand that changes your life in a day. It is a daily habit, a ladder of small successes, the courage to overcome fear, and the practice of being kind to yourself.
The person who doubts himself today can lead tomorrow—only if he practices his inner light a little every day.
In this article, we have seen how self-awareness, perseverance, positive thinking, and a mindset of accepting criticism are combined to develop self-confidence. Dr. Yunus and Steve Jobs’ lives teach us that self-confidence can lift you if you can control your ego.
Let’s start, too—a little bit every day. Know yourself, believe in yourself, and be the best version of yourself.
Writer & Content creator