What is Self Belief?
Empowering Youth to Build Confidence
Studies increasingly show that self-belief is linked to numerous positive outcomes, such as:
Increased happiness
Stronger relationships
Better academic performance
Improved employment prospects
Enhanced physical and mental health
Greater resilience in the face of failure
The Inner Voice Telling Me 'I Can Do This'
Self-belief is the confidence to face life’s challenges and go after your goals. It is the inner voice that tells us, ‘I can do this’ when facing difficulties, big or small.
Having self-belief means knowing you can grow, learn and overcome whatever obstacles come your way. It is more than just being good at something – it is about trusting yourself, and knowing that no matter what hurdles you face, you can always find a way through them. Self-belief doesn’t mean you are fearless, but it gives you the courage to try new things, make decisions and take risks, even if the outcome is uncertain.
Is 'Self-Belief' Just Another Word for Self-Confidence?
People often confuse self-belief with confidence, but they are different. Confidence is usually tied to specific tasks or situations – like feeling sure you can do well on a test or perform in a sport. Self-belief, on the other hand, runs much deeper. It is about trusting yourself no matter the situation. It stays with you even when things don’t go as planned or you make mistakes, because it is rooted in who you are, not just what you can do.
Where Does Self-Esteem Fit In?
Self-esteem plays an important role in shaping self-belief, but it focuses more on how much you value and respect yourself. While self-belief is about trusting your abilities to face challenges, self-esteem is about how positively you see yourself. When you have healthy self-esteem, it is easier to believe in your abilities even in difficult situations. On the other hand, low self-esteem can make it harder to trust yourself and can lead to negative thoughts and self-doubt.
What About Self-Efficacy?
Similar to self-confidence, self-efficacy is the belief that you can succeed in particular tasks or situations. For example, feeling confident that you can solve a maths problem or speak in front of a crowd. While self-belief refers to your overall confidence in yourself as a person, self-efficacy is more specific, focusing on your belief in your ability to succeed in particular tasks or challenges. Together, they build a strong foundation.
How About Resilience?
Self-belief is closely tied to resilience, the ability to bounce back from setbacks. When you believe in yourself, you are more likely to view failure as a learning opportunity instead of a dead end. This helps you pick yourself up and keep going, knowing you have the inner strength to overcome difficulties and grow from them.
Self-belief helps us to:
Try New Things:
It gives us the courage to step out of our comfort zone and explore new opportunities.
Handle Setbacks:
With self-belief, we can bounce back from failures and learn from them, rather than being held back by fear or doubt.
Develop Resilience:
Life has ups and downs, and self-belief helps us keep going, even when things get tough.
Achieve Our Goals:
Whether passing an exam, improving a skill, or making new friends, self-belief is the key to staying motivated and focused on what matters to us.
Common Misconceptions About Self-Belief
Many young people misunderstand what self-belief means, which can prevent them from fully developing this vital life skill. Common misconceptions include:
1. You Are Born With It
Many think self-belief is a fixed trait, something you are born with. They think those who appear confident have always been that way, and if you struggle with self-doubt, there is nothing you can do to change it. However self-belief is a skill that can be developed and strengthened over time. Much like a muscle, it grows through experiences – by learning from successes and failures and continually stepping outside the comfort zone.
2. You Never Doubt Yourself
A common misconception is that self-belief means never experiencing doubt or fear. In reality, self-belief involves understanding that doubt is a natural part of being human and using it as a driving force. It is about having enough trust in yourself to keep moving forward, even when you are unsure of the outcome or things aren’t going as planned.
3. You Have to Be Perfect
It is easy to believe that self-belief means being perfect or never making mistakes. However, this is far from the truth. Self-belief is about accepting your strengths and weaknesses, learning from your mistakes and believing in your ability to grow and improve.
4. You Are Selfish
Some people believe that building self-belief is selfish. However, having self-belief can help you be more compassionate, empathetic and generous. When you believe in yourself, you are more likely to believe in others and support them on their journeys.
Breaking the Cycle: Building Resilience and Self-Belief
The issues above highlight the urgent need for tools and support systems that help young people build resilience and self-belief and foster mental well-being. Addressing mental health in young people isn’t just about treating problems after they arise - it is about empowering them with the skills to manage pressure, foster emotional health and navigate the complexities of modern life.
By focusing on building self-belief and resilience, young people can develop the confidence and coping strategies they need to overcome these growing challenges.
How to Build Self-Belief
The good news is that self-belief can be nurtured. It is a skill that grows when we take small steps towards believing in ourselves. Here are some simple ways to start:
Celebrate Your Wins:
Whether big or small, every achievement is proof that you are capable.
Surround Yourself with Positivity:
The people you spend time with can have a huge impact on how you see yourself. Choose friends, mentors and family members who uplift and encourage you.
Embrace Failure as Part of Growth:
It is okay to make mistakes—that’s how we learn. Every setback is a stepping stone to something better.
Practice Self-Compassion:
Be kind to yourself. Don’t compare your journey to others; focus on your own progress.
The 'I Can & I Am' Approach
The brilliance of the I Can & I Am approach lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. The core messages of our charity are relevant to a wide range of audiences, regardless of their age or background. Our engaging presentations and interactive workshops ensure that the content is both memorable and applicable to all walks of life.
The Power of the 'Balloon' Metaphor
Central to our message is the metaphor of a 'balloon', which is a powerful tool for understanding self-belief. When our balloon is full of air, we feel confident, resilient and positive. Conversely, a deflated balloon represents low self-esteem and a lack of resilience.
The Four Pillars of 'I Can & I Am'
Our charity’s approach distills the messages on how to keep our ‘balloons’ of self-belief inflated into four key pillars:
INTELLIGENCE (I):
We all possess unique intelligence. By identifying and utilising our skills and qualities, we can boost our self-belief. The key is to spend time doing things we are good at and enjoy.
CHALLENGE (C):
Overcoming challenges helps us learn, grow and build resilience. Everyone makes mistakes but remember, it is not about giant leaps but about taking small, progressive steps every day.
ATTITUDE (A):
Your attitude shapes our perspective. A positive and grateful attitude can turn setbacks into springboards for opportunities and enhance our resilience.
NEEDED (N):
Finding our place where we belong and feel accepted is crucial. Spending time with people who support and encourage us can strengthen our self-belief, feel good about ourselves and our place in the world.
These pillars are designed to help individuals maintain their self-belief, ensuring that their internal 'balloon' stays inflated, leading to greater confidence and resilience.
Making a Lasting Impact in Schools
Our programmes are brought directly to schools, where we engage with students, parents and staff, providing practical tools and strategies to help young people navigate the challenges they face. We also travel in our specially designed double-decker buses, offering a unique, hands-on learning environment that encourages young people to unlock their potential.
By working closely with schools across South West England, we are making a lasting impact [link to Impact Report] on young people's mental health and personal development, helping them discover their true potential and recognise their worth.
A Catalyst for Positive Change
We strongly believe the 'I Can & I Am' approach is more than a programme. It is a catalyst for positive change – a transformative experience and an investment in the future of young people.
By inspiring and equipping young people to trust in their abilities, our mission is to cultivate a generation of resilient, confident and compassionate individuals, ready to face life’s challenges with courage and empathy.