Self-confidence is how firmly you believe in your ability to successfully perform a particular task.
If you are not confident in your capabilities, you are likely to under-perform. However, it is also equally likely that if you were over-confident in your abilities, you will be unable to complete the given task successfully.
Self-confidence:
Develops over time
Is influenced by your actual performances
Affects how you interpret your performances
Improving your self-confidence
Self-confidence is important to address because of its link to performance. Following are several ideas on how you can improve your self-confidence:
1. Set short-term, challenging and realistic goals Setting these types of goals allows you to achieve a lot in a short period of time. It will also allow you to look back and appreciate your performance capabilities and ability to succeed.
2. Realise that confidence comes from hard work and practice Hard work and practice are two factors which you have control over. By realising this, you can then redouble your efforts to become a better athlete.
3. Focus on your performance improvements Focusing on what you cannot and have not done does not help you achieve your best. Reviewing recent performance achievements can help you boost your self-confidence.
4. Remind yourself that failure results from a lack of effort, expertise or strategy Remember that poor performances are due to factors that you have control over, so addressing these issues can help you improve performance and self-confidence.
