I agree with what simianpower is saying about confidence being built by setting goals and acheiving them. I think "self-esteem" that is based on parents and teachers patting you on the back and telling you how great you are is next to worthless. A kid instinctually knows when he's being bullshitted, and that he hasn't done anything all that praise-worthy.
Confidence is built on knowing what your limits and strengths, capitalizing on your strengths, and gradually improving your weak areas.
There's also the idea of "fake it until you make it." Research shows that if you fake a smile or a laugh, you're very likely to genuinely start to feel happier. If you fake confidence (although not in a ludicrous way such as bullshitting your way through something that's truly over your head, and not to the point of being arrogant or cocky) long enough, eventually, you will begin to gain some.
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branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2005-06-07 03:07 pm (UTC)Confidence is built on knowing what your limits and strengths, capitalizing on your strengths, and gradually improving your weak areas.
There's also the idea of "fake it until you make it." Research shows that if you fake a smile or a laugh, you're very likely to genuinely start to feel happier. If you fake confidence (although not in a ludicrous way such as bullshitting your way through something that's truly over your head, and not to the point of being arrogant or cocky) long enough, eventually, you will begin to gain some.