Confidence Counts and Self Belief Matters
There are so many dimensions which can lead to feelings of life satisfaction. There are many people we may know or are supporting just now who for many reasons are feeling very dissatisfied with their life. This news item recognises there can be valid reasons for this, however, we only have so much energy and focusing on what is wrong, can drain the energy we need to either make it right or at least, not have it hurt as much.
Our confidence levels can go up and down over our lives due to factors sometimes beyond our control. However, being mindful of this can help us recognise when perhaps we need to focus on regaining that sense of confidence and self-belief to support us take the actions we need to get through or mitigate the impact of current challenges.
The following tools may be of value to share with people you are supporting. They do not replace professional advice as sometimes there are issues someone needs to address before they can begin to rebuild their sense of self and belief in themselves. However, as a selfcare resource they may offer some help in navigating back to a place that works better for them.
Awareness The Confidence Dude is a simple tool which can help us be aware of our confidence levels on a daily basis. To reflect on why it may be low, what confidence means for us, and what we could do to increase our feelings of confidence. https://www.copescotland.com/resources/confidence-dude
Planning Once we recognise that there may be steps, we need to take to improve our confidence and self-belief, it is then helpful to consider the pieces we need to bring into our life which can help boost our confidence. The Jigsaw Lid for self-confidence can help with this. Which can also be downloaded here https://www.copescotland.com/resources/confidence-dude
Goal Setting If we are planning on making changes then its important, we set goals, making sure they have meaning for us. It is not only setting the goal but deciding on the steps we may need to take, the setbacks which may get in the road of taking these steps, how we can overcome them and the rewards for taking these steps. The Goal setting snakes and ladders can help with goal setting. https://www.copescotland.com/resources/goal-setting-snakes-and-ladders
Ideas to support change Sometimes getting started can be a challenge, and we need some ideas of things which can help to boost our confidence e.g. becoming aware of our inner voice and using a kinder one. The ‘What are you saying to yourself because you are listening’ video may be of interest. https://www.copescotland.com/resources/what-are-you-saying-to-yourself-because-you-are-listening
Learning Is something which goes on our whole lives and learning to be confident or get our confidence back is also important. It is not enough just to learn, we need to apply that learning and then practice it until we feel confident in our ability, this can include sharing what we have learned with others. The LAPS infographic can be a helpful reminder that we all need to learn, and learning takes practice. https://www.copescotland.com/resources/sea-of-self-confidence-amp-laps-learn-apply-practice-share The poster also offers what people shared impacts their confidence and what can help restore it.
Reframing If we have been hard on ourselves for a long time and used a critical inner voice, it will take time to use a kinder voice or reframe our thinking to more positive outcomes. This is where affirmations can help. Check out this video on how to make an affirmation jar https://www.copescotland.com/resources/making-an-affirmation-jar or download these confidence affirmation cards. https://www.copescotland.com/resources/confidence-affirmation-cards
Practicing positivity If life has thrown us lots of challenges and things have not gone to plan, its understandable that we may feel cynical that things are ever going to change, however, focusing on its bad and going to get worse, or there is no point, drains our energy and may mean we miss opportunities. As shared already, these ideas do not replace professional advice, they are for selfcare. These tips on being optimistic may also help to reframe our thinking into promoting actions which take us towards what we want to aim for and help us focus less on what we want to move aware from. https://www.copescotland.com/resources/tips-for-optimism
Reflection It maybe we decide we need to invest some time in thinking about our confidence and self-belief. The ‘Be your own Confidence Architect’ workbook offers some ideas how, this can be used alone or as part of guided self-help with someone you know or is supporting you. As with the other ideas, this is for selfcare and if you do not feel you are ready to reflect on your confidence levels then speak to a professional to see if this is right for you. https://www.copescotland.com/resources/be-your-own-confidence-architect
Keeping the score The confidence score, card is a simple tool to help capture the steps no matter how small which are building a more confident you. It can act as a motivator when we remind ourselves of actions we are taking, no matter how small towards the goals which have meaning for us and our confidence levels. This score card can also be downloaded here https://www.copescotland.com/resources/be-your-own-confidence-architect
These resources can be downloaded free from the COPE Scotland website. Please feel free to share them with people you may know or are working with who would find them helpful. Finally, there is also a link about confidence in the workplace as that is also helpful for our personal confidence and the achievement of the goals for our organisation and group. https://www.copescotland.com/resources/confidence-in-the-workplace
Every journey of a thousand miles does begin with one step. We can all take steps towards building our own confidence and self-belief as well as being kind to others who are on that journey too. https://www.copescotland.com/resources/kinder-conversations-postcard
Thanks for reading
Hilda