Empowering Self-Confidence: Crafting an Active Identity of Action
Confidence is Developing an Identity of Someone Who Will Take Action and Figure It Out.
In order to have this identity you have to believe that you have control over your life and that you'll take action, there are two foundational psychological concepts here that need to be in place for this to happen for you.
These two fundamental psychological concepts hold the key to shaping your outlook and influencing the course of your life.
The first is called the locus of control, which refers to what you believe is and is not within your control, some people feel like life is simply happening to them, like they're a victim of whatever it is that happens, they have an external locus of control.
Now other people believe that they're in control of their lives and even when something happens to them that appears to come from the outside, they still are able to see that they do have power over the outcome and this is the internal locus of control.
Everyone varies how much control that they think that they have depending on different circumstances in their life.
So the question now is how do you develop an internal locus of control and then feel empowered about your life.
This is Where the Second Psychological
Principle Comes in
Called Bias Towards Action.
Have you ever found yourself trapped in the suffocating grip of a belief that your life is completely beyond your control?
It's a disheartening state of mind that breeds inertia, making it increasingly unlikely for you to take action.
If you feel like your life is totally outside of your control you're unlikely to take action, because you don't believe that it's going to make any difference, you have a bias towards inaction in that situation.
After all, why bother when you doubt that your efforts will yield any meaningful results?
In order to overcome this we have to begin taking action and see what happens.
In the confidence in action section in the next article, we're going to talk about the five second rule, which is a great tool for helping you practice taking action.
Now the goal is to act when you normally wouldn't, which will lead to changes in the circumstances that you wouldn't have had otherwise and doing this over time shows yourself that you do have more influence over your life than you have formerly thought.
You develop a bias towards action, meaning you believe that you're the type of person who takes action to influence their own life and then this in turn develops your internal locus of control and makes you feel empowered to direct your own life, it gives you confidence.
But there is one underlying psychological principle that is even more important to understand, it's the core belief that ultimately determines your ability to have an internal locus of control and a bias towards action.
It's the one key ingredient to developing confidence and it also happens to be the same belief that differentiates those who are successful from those who aren't.
It's Not Even Just a Belief, It's a Growth Mindset
It's a way of looking at yourself and at life.
People who have this growth mindset are more resilient, they're better at coping with failure and are more likely to challenge themselves.
Ultimately those who don’t have it are less resilient, they're poor at coping with failure and they avoid challenges that could reveal their flaws.
It sounds pretty important right, your right, it is, but before I tell you what it is let me share with you a quick story.
Breaking Free from the Box:
Unveiling the Power of Effort and Determination
Once upon a time, there was a coach who excelled academically during her high school and college years. Surprisingly, instead of basking in the glory of her achievements, she carried a burden of guilt.
She didn't want to take credit for her good grades; instead, she attributed them to being naturally smart. It wasn't about being better than others -it was simply her luck.
The coach shied away from praise and recognition, for she feared making others feel inferior. It wasn't their fault, she thought; they just didn't possess the same innate abilities.
However, everything changed when she decided to return to college to complete her degree. In the midst of this journey, she experienced a profound epiphany that shattered her perception of success.
She began to realize that her accomplishments weren't solely the result of her intelligence. It wasn't just about being naturally gifted but about the effort she had consistently invested.
She contemplated the nights she spent diligently working on homework while her peers reveled in parties. She acknowledged the importance of her attentiveness in class and the meticulous notes she took.
Most importantly, she recognized that her dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence had propelled her towards her academic triumphs.
A few years later, as she ran a Team Coaching Center, she eagerly shared her newfound revelation with her business partner.
She excitedly explained that her success as an entrepreneur stemmed from her relentless effort and self-reflection, allowing her to uncover her true desires and pursue them with unwavering determination.
However, instead of embracing her empowering perspective, her partner sought to diminish her accomplishments. She belittled the coach, attributing her achievements solely to her intelligence and privilege. According to her partner, it was effortless for the coach, and therefore, she shouldn't claim any credit for her endeavors.
The question lingers in the air: Who was right?
As the coach reflects on her journey, she understands that true success lies not in innate gifts but in the choices we make and the effort we invest. It is the combination of determination, resilience, and hard work that propels us forward, pushing us beyond the boundaries of our perceived limitations.
The coach stands tall, embracing the truth that effort and dedication have been the driving forces behind her achievements.
In this captivating tale, we embark on a quest to challenge the limits society places upon us. Together, we will unravel the intricate web of success, exploring the undeniable influence of effort, determination, and self-belief.
Prepare to be inspired as we venture into the realm where greatness is not determined by natural talent alone but by the indomitable spirit that propels us towards our dreams.
I Want You to Consider these Questions.
I also want you to consider this example that I'm going to tell you and how you would feel if it were you.
Imagine that you had a terrible day, you spilled coffee on your shirt on the way to work, you got a parking ticket on your lunch break and your boss reprimanded you for publishing a document with several major errors.
How would you react?
A. You feel bad about yourself for being clumsy, unintelligent and unlucky. you'd accept that this is just how your life tends to go.
Or
B. You'd be upset but you'd be thinking about how you probably should have gotten a better travel mug, been more careful where you parked and double checked your work.
If I told you that your intelligence like your IQ score is something about you that you can't change would you either
A. agree
Or
B. disagree?
And if I told you that talents are something that you're born with, would you either
A. agree
Or
B. disagree.
So, what did you answer mostly, A's or B's to these questions?
Here is a worksheet to dive a little deeper: Mindset Assessment
Before I tell you about the mindset I'm talking about here and what the A’s and the B’s represent, I want you to know the number one most important thing that you need to know about this mindset.
That is, if you don't already have this mindset the good news is that you can learn it, in fact sometimes, simply knowing about it can dramatically alter people's lives, because it changes the way you look at yourself, plus this entire article is designed to help you develop this mindset.
It's the piece that's missing from most programs about confidence.
The belief system we're going to be talking about here is a growth mindset and the opposite way of thinking about the world is a fixed mindset.
If you answered all B’s and you agree with my epiphany then you have a growth mindset, if you answered some A's that's okay because your answers to those questions will be very different by the time you finish this article.
Let me explain what this means, the research behind the growth mindset has been conducted by Carol Dweck PhD who's a psychology professor at Stanford University and in a nutshell the growth mindset is a belief that your basic qualities including intelligence and talent can be cultivated through effort.
This means that while people might be innately different with certain aptitudes and temperaments, the truth is that all aspects of a person's abilities and personality can be changed regardless of where your set point is.
Breaking Free from Fixed Mindsets:
Unleashing Your Unlimited Potential
Imagine a world where your talents and intelligence were believed to be fixed, predetermined by factors beyond your control. This prevailing notion, known as the fixed mindset, permeates our culture, shaping our beliefs and influencing our actions.
From early education to adulthood, we are conditioned to believe that our worth is measured by standardized tests and innate abilities. We're led to believe that natural talent reigns supreme, overshadowing the power of hard work and dedication.
But here's the truth: The fixed mindset is flawed on two fronts.
Firstly, those who diligently cultivate their abilities often surpass the so-called "naturals" in the long run.
Secondly, the fixation on being a natural discourages the effort required for growth and stifles untapped potential.
The fixed mindset shackles individuals, limiting their progress to the boundaries of their perceived abilities. For those trapped in a fixed mindset, effort is viewed as a negative indicator - a sign of lacking innate talent and intelligence.
Consequently, they avoid challenges and shy away from new experiences, never fully realizing their true capabilities. The fear of failure looms large, as it threatens to confirm their deepest insecurities.
To preserve their self-image, fixed mindset individuals may blame external factors or others for their shortcomings, or worse, opt to never try at all.
The pursuit of being perceived as smart or talented becomes their sole focus, hindering personal growth and stifling the joy of exploration. Yet, buried beneath the weight of fixed mindsets lies an untapped well of potential waiting to be unleashed.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
In this transformative chapter, we will challenge the limiting beliefs of the fixed mindset and explore the boundless possibilities that emerge when we embrace a growth mindset.
Prepare to shatter the chains that hold you back, for within you lies the power to surpass expectations, exceed limitations, and forge a path towards extraordinary achievements.
It's time to break free from the confines of the fixed mindset and unlock a world where effort, growth, and the realization of your true potential reign supreme.
Now on the other hand, people with a growth mindset see the world very differently.
They believe that the more effort they put into something, whether it's practicing or learning, the better they will become. If they're not good as something they see it as a sign that they have to work harder.
They have little need to prove that they are talented or intelligent and instead are on a never-ending quest to continue to grow and improve, how hard someone tries is actually how they measure a person's value.
They enjoy challenges and see challenges as an opportunity to learn something and expand their boundaries and while they don't like failing, they also don't ever believe that they are a failure, because they fail, they see failure as a learning experience.
Growth Mindset People Find Joy in Progress and Learning.
What is important to know here is: that if you didn't already know that you can change and improve your talents, your skills, your intelligence, your characteristics, your behaviors, well now you know.
And it isn't just the studies behind the psychology of the growth mindset that back this up, it's brain and neuroscience too,
It's not just your belief that you can change or that your actual abilities can change, you're bringing changes to all of these things that you didn't think you could do simply because you haven't done them yet, they're all now possibilities for you again.
In the next article I'm also going to start talking about developing a growth mindset and how it affects your confidence, then we'll continue to address this through the rest of the articles I create in the future.
I want to express my sincerest gratitude to you for investing your time in reading the article "Empowering Self-Confidence: Crafting an Active Identity of Action." Your decision to explore this empowering topic fills my heart with deep appreciation, and I genuinely hope that it has resonated with you on a profound level.
From the core of my being, I earnestly hope that not only did you enjoy the article, but you also feel inspired and motivated to take action based on the invaluable advice it offers. Crafting an active identity of action can be a transformative journey, allowing you to cultivate self-confidence and unleash your full potential.
As you embark on this empowering path of self-discovery and growth, I want to extend my most heartfelt well wishes to you. May you find the courage and determination to embrace an active identity, stepping into your power and taking decisive action towards your goals and ambitions. Believe in yourself and your abilities, for you possess the innate strength to achieve greatness.
I genuinely hope that the contents of this article have provided you with practical guidance and profound insights. May they serve as a guiding light on your journey, helping you make the most of this year and realize your dreams.
In your pursuit of personal growth and the attainment of your goals, remember that every step, no matter how small, counts.
Embrace the challenges as opportunities for growth, and celebrate your achievements along the way. Have faith in your capabilities, and never underestimate the potential within you.
If you ever feel the need for further support or guidance, don't hesitate to seek assistance from trusted individuals in your life. Surround yourself with a supportive network that encourages and uplifts you, empowering you to reach new heights.
Once again, thank you for being an integral part of this empowering exploration of self-confidence and active identity.
May the wisdom and lessons you've gained from this article propel you towards a year filled with achievements and the realization of your deepest ambitions.
Wishing you boundless success and fulfillment on your remarkable journey.
Developed by Carl Dunn - Mindset Mind Coaching.
12/07/2023