It Starts With You!

What even is confidence?

Have you ever wondered why some athletes walk into a game believing they’ll succeed while you may doubt yourself? I know I have.. The difference often comes down to the belief in your own ability to accomplish a specific task.

Confidence is not just something you are born with. The more you succeed at something, the more you believe you can do and accomplish that again! These are called mastery experiences, which are the strongest ways to grow confidence! Simply because we feel as if we “mastered” that task by practice and repetition!

Yet, success isn’t the only factor that can help confidence.

Have you ever watched a teammate accomplish something and you suddenly believe you can do it too? Again, I know I have! Watching others succeed—especially people similar to you—can boost your own personal belief too. Which is known as vicarious experience. For example, seeing a teammate perform well under pressure can make you think, “If they can do it, so can I.”

Another key piece of confidence, is what you tell yourself. Positive self-talk can strengthen your confidence, while negative thoughts can tear it down. Even your body plays a role—feeling calm and prepared helps you perform better than feeling anxious and tense. With this in mind, what are some ways for you to feel calm and prepared?

Confidence is something you build, not something you wait for. By stacking small wins with practicing/ repetition, learning from others, and controlling your mindset, you can develop a stronger belief in yourself over time. 

Start small, stay consistent, and remember—confidence grows from what you do, not just what you feel!

Most important take away to remember - IT STARTS WITH YOU!

See you in the next one!

- Jentri Worley