Self-confidence can sometimes be confused with arrogance. Arrogance is a close cousin to pride, and as the saying goes, pride goes before a fall. No-one really likes an arrogant person, but it is interesting that many people confuse arrogance and self-confidence. As a result, self-confidence is not always seen as a desirable trait.
Self-confidence is simply being confident of self. This means that you are happy and comfortable in your own skin. You are accepting who and what you are, and you are not afraid of other’s opinions too much. I think we all do care a little what others think, especially those whose opinions we value. So self-confidence is not being completely removed from opinions.
Self-confidence gives one the ability to act with a boldness that is required otherwise the situation. This could mean going parachute jumping, because one is confident that you will make it back to the ground safe and sound. It could mean getting behind the wheel of a car & feeling assured that you will get to your destination with your driving ability. It could also mean standing up in front of a group of people and delivering a speech.
You might not need the self-confidence to speak in public, but you might need the self-confidence to perform your job as expected. So self-confidence varies based on the task at hand.
If it is so fluid, how does one then attain self-confidence? The key is to evaluate your level of self-confidence in the situations that you usually face. If they do not cause any nervousness and anxiety, and you feel fully (100%) confident about your ability to achieve success in these, then branch out a little further. Look at some of your stretch goals. How confident do you feel about these? If your self-confidence has waned here, then that is a growth opportunity.
We can all improve our self-confidence since there are stretch goals that our current level of confidence is insufficient for. We also have sufficient self-confidence, since we (mostly) feel confident to get out of bed and move around our house.
Self-confidence is therefore necessary for achievement of everyday tasks, as well as for growth opportunities in order to reach for and achieve more.
