What Is Self-Confidence?

Self-confidence is the belief in one’s own ability to face tasks, make decisions, and tackle challenges. It is not an innate and unchangeable trait, but a resource built through direct experience, small successes, and ongoing learning.

Bandura’s Theory of Self-Efficacy

Albert Bandura, a renowned Canadian psychologist, developed the theory of self-efficacy, which explains how our belief in our abilities influences our actions and the results we achieve in life. According to Bandura, our belief in what we can do determines how much we dare to try, how we deal with obstacles, and how persistent we are.

The Four Pillars of Self-Efficacy

Bandura identified four main sources that shape (or weaken) our self-efficacy:

• Mastery Experiences: Successfully overcoming challenges—no matter how small—increases our confidence. On the other hand, repeated failures without support can decrease it. Personal experience is the most influential factor.

• Vicarious Experiences: Seeing someone similar to us succeed (e.g., a colleague or friend) helps us believe that we too can be successful. Witnessing that “it’s possible” strengthens this belief.

• Social Persuasion: Encouragement and positive feedback from others—especially from people we trust—push us to believe in ourselves.

• Physiological and Emotional States: Anxiety, stress, fatigue, or negative emotions can cause us to doubt ourselves. Learning to manage these sensations is vital to maintaining confidence.

According to Bandura, our actions are determined by our perceived self-efficacy: if we believe we can succeed, we are more motivated to act, persist, and learn from experience1.

The Confidence Cycle: A Self-Reinforcing Mechanism

Confidence does not appear all at once; rather, it grows gradually through a virtuous cycle:

1. Action
   Everything starts with taking action—trying something, even if we feel uncertain or anxious (e.g., public speaking in front of a small group).

2. Result and Competence
   When our actions lead to even a minor success, we feel more capable. Our brain registers the experience as positive and strengthens the belief that we can succeed again.

3. Increase in Confidence
   This small achievement makes it easier to take on new challenges. Previous successes help us persevere even through difficulties.

4. New Action, New Cycle
   With every bit of increased confidence, we become willing to try something larger or different, continuing and amplifying the cycle.

Each small success fuels confidence. The more we act, the more we learn, and the more we believe in ourselves1.

Practical Insights for Applying the Theory

• Do not wait to feel “ready”: Confidence often comes after acting, not before.

• Start with micro-goals: Small steps allow us to accumulate successes and build confidence.

• Surround yourself with encouraging people and positive role models.

• Learn to manage anxiety and stress so they do not prevent you from taking action.

Scientific Research: Effects and Benefits

Skill Development Programs and Increased Confidence

Training focused on skill development (e.g., problem-solving workshops, soft skills training, public speaking exercises) significantly increases self-confidence. Such programs, widely used in educational settings, allow students to test their skills in practice, receive feedback, face challenges, and witness their own progress. Studies show that participation in structured active learning programs improves both self-efficacy and self-confidence compared to control groups.

Self-Confidence, Career Success, and Long-Term Well-Being

Longitudinal studies indicate that higher self-confidence produces long-term positive effects across life domains:

• Career: Individuals with greater self-confidence seek more ambitious jobs, apply for leadership roles, and are more resilient to setbacks.

• Well-being: High self-confidence correlates with better mental health, resilience, satisfaction, and less stress. It is also linked to more stable social relationships and lower incidence of stress-related illness.

Confidence as a Factor in Resilience and Subjective Well-Being

Research shows that personal confidence serves as a “protective cushion”:

• During crises (exams, job loss, personal problems), those with higher self-confidence maintain a more optimistic outlook, seek social support, and learn from mistakes rather than giving up.

• Self-confidence strongly correlates with higher happiness, personal satisfaction, and a lower risk of anxiety and depression.

Investing in self-confidence from an early age yields positive, lasting effects on both the personal and professional levels1.

How EFT Can Support Confidence

Among psychological support tools, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) has proven useful in promoting self-esteem and confidence. EFT combines tapping on specific energy points (similar to acupuncture) with increased awareness of limiting emotions and thoughts. Scientific studies have highlighted its effectiveness in reducing anxiety, overcoming limiting beliefs, and consolidating the benefits of positive experiences, supporting long-term self-confidence.

Key Practical Strategies

• Set micro-goals: Every small success builds confidence.

• Adopt a growth mindset: View errors and failures as learning opportunities.

• Gradually expose yourself to discomfort: Slowly face new challenges to strengthen self-efficacy.

• Celebrate all progress: Recognizing even the smallest improvements builds internalized success.

• Face the fear of failure: Each mistake is an opportunity both to improve and to discover new resources.

Sources

1. Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control.

2. Orth, U., & Robins, R.W. (2014). “The development of self-esteem.” Current Directions in Psychological Science.

3. Frontiers in Psychology. Section: Self-confidence and Education.

4. OECD, “Skills and Social Progress” report.