Okay, first things first – what is self-efficacy? Essentially, it’s your belief in yourself. If you have strong self-efficacy, that means you have an intense belief in your own skills and abilities. It’s kinda like self-confidence, which makes it a really important trait to have. Whether you’re raising three kids or starting your own business, self-efficacy is what’s going to get you to where you want to be in life. Think of it as the engine that drives you. If you don’t have a powerful engine, you’re not going to be able to make it up the steep hills that life places in front of you. That’s why it’s so important to have that drive and confidence in yourself. If your engine is starting to feel a little run down, here are a few tips and tricks that will get you going again in no time!
Avoid Stinkin’ Thinkin’
So much of success is ultimately mental. If you’re going through a tough period in your life, it can be all too easy to get caught up in negative emotions. But these emotions can weigh you down and prevent you from achieving the things you want to. If you’re going to boost that self-efficacy, you’re going to have to learn to fight those negative feelings! First off, it’s important not to compare yourself too much to other people. Remember, life isn’t a race! Instead, try to compare yourself to where you were yesterday. Think about how far you’ve come. Also try to acknowledge your accomplishments, even if they’re small. A step forward is a step forward, no matter how big or small it is, and that’s worth celebrating. Keeping those negative thoughts away is a huge part of boosting your self-efficacy, so try to change your mindset.
Accomplish The Little Things Too
You probably have some pretty big dreams. That’s great! It’s important to keep reaching for the stars. However, sometimes you’re just not in a place where you can focus on advancing those big dreams, and that can leave you feeling a little stuck. This can have a negative effect on your self-efficacy. If you’re not working towards your grand goals, it can feel demotivating. Try to keep in mind there are other things you can be doing and accomplishing during this time. Focus on the little things that are right ahead of you. Try to go to the gym more often. Take out the trash regularly. Think about planning more meals in advance. They’re little things, but that doesn’t mean they’re not important too. An accomplishment is an accomplishment, and achieving these small tasks can have a huge effect on your self-confidence. It’s a great way to get out of the doldrums!
Surround Yourself with The Right People
Here’s the thing – nobody has ever accomplished anything by themselves. It’s important to make sure you have people in your life who believe in you and will support you in your endeavors. This can have a great effect on your self-efficacy! A supportive parent, teacher, or friend can even help convince you that you’re capable of succeeding. It’s called social persuasion, and it can be a very powerful force. When the people in your life are building you up and supporting you, it can help to banish self-doubt. On the flip side, having negative people around you can give your self-efficacy a real beating. Cut out the negative influences in your life and you’ll see the changes almost immediately! It’s so important to have a positive social environment, so start taking a look at yours. Undeniably, the people who are closest to you play a main role in how successful you’ll become. Nobody has ever made it big on their own. Everyone needs some help along the way. Listen to the influential who have faced the challenges in life and were able to make their dreams come true. Go to conferences where conference speakers share their life journey from what they were to what they are today. Eventually though you must be willing to take full responsibility for yourself and your life.
Learn From Others
If you’re having trouble with your own self-efficacy, try taking a look at the people around you. See what they’re doing to help themselves succeed, and adopt it into your own life. What are their habits? Their plans? How do they go about accomplishing things? Ask yourself these questions and learn from the answers. You might even find a way to get past a roadblock or two in your own life. Watching other people succeed can also work as a subtle motivator for you. After all, if they can do it, why can’t you? When your friends work hard and succeed in life, it reminds you that you’re more than capable of doing the same. It doesn’t have to be just your friends, either! Try finding role models you can use to motivate yourself. Find people you admire and analyze them to figure out how they made it. Role models show you what’s possible if you have a high self-efficacy.
Create A Positive Environment
It’s not just your social environment that affects your self-efficacy, it’s your physical one too! Think about where you’re spending most of your time during your daily routine. Is it your workplace? Your school? Your home? Wherever you are, try to make that place a positive one for you. Surround yourself with things that make you happy, like decorations and photographs of people you love. Try getting a plant! They’re scientifically proven to improve your mood. Having a positive space is the first step towards feeling more relaxed and confident, so try to create one everywhere you spend a lot of time.
Try A Motivational Speaker
If you’re having trouble maintaining a high self-efficacy by yourself, try seeking some professional help! Motivational speakers are experts at boosting self-confidence, so it might be worth your time to check some out and get a few tips. The advice they give can instill a greater drive and confidence in you, or help you reach greater accomplishments. Take a look at some motivation speaker schedules and see if you can find one that seems interesting. You never know, it might just change your life! You might be surprised just how much a good motivational speaker can affect you.
With these tips, you’re well on your way to a recharged engine and greater success in life. Self-efficacy is so important, and boosting it is one of the most surefire ways to improve your life. Just by seeking ways to improve your self-efficacy, you’ve already taken great steps! When you have a real belief in yourself and your abilities, anything is possible.