However, many people do not consider the flip-side. If success = confidence, most believe that failure = lack of confidence. This is a myth that holds many people back from truly becoming successful. Failure can be incredibly helpful to building your confidence! Whether failure is a catalyst for confidence or not depends entirely on your mindset and your view on failure.
Consider this example: You apply for a job that is way above your current level of experience and education. You have a strong interview and give your best effort, yet you do not receive the job.
How would you view this situation? A person with a weak mindset would call it a failure, deciding that they cannot reach that high for a better job and they will settle for an average, “safe” job instead.
A person with a strong mindset will have an entirely different view on that situation. They will be grateful for the opportunity to interview for such a lofty position and they will be proud of their effort and attitude in giving their best shot. This will lead them to trying again and again to reach above their level, knowing that failing to get the job is not failure, it is just another opportunity to portray a successful, confident attitude.
In other words, if you are results-focused, failure will damage your confidence. It will create a fear in you of trying to accomplish big goals or reach for tougher opportunities. If you are process-focused, you will continue reaching higher and higher regardless of the result, because your confidence will come from analyzing your attitude and effort.
Apply this to school! Build confidence from success and from failure! Sign up for more difficult classes, apply for scholarships, take college entrance exams / certification tests that you feel will be too hard for you to pass. Get used to the challenge and gain confidence, not through the results, but through the process. Remember, you can try 50 challenging things, but it will only take 1 successful challenge to potentially change the course of your life.
Want more help building confidence? Maybe it’s time to try out that free Academic Mindset session you’ve been thinking about! Contact us now for your FREE session!