Why is Self-Confidence Important?
Self-confidence is defined as freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities. It is important because if you believe in yourself, you are more likely to take positive action, stand up for yourself, question the beliefs of peers and avoid dangerous situations, stretch yourself to achieve more, and overcome many fears. It all starts success for teens with build self-confidence.
As a success for teens, you are always in a state of transition. You are moving from middle school to high school, then from high school to college, and then (again!) from college to your professional life. With each new transition, your self-confidence is at risk. Studies have shown that as a success for teens your self-confidence drops in early adolescence (ages 9 to 13), as you separate from childhood, and again as you are becoming an adult (ages 18-23). At both these stages, you must get used to a new playing field, new rules, and do things you have never done before.
So how do you combat this risk? Let me give you an example.
Building Self-Confidence
I had a client who needed to build his self-confidence. When I first met him, he was very depressed and was ready to give up. I did not let him!
First, I pushed him to go to the gym, to set up an exercise routine. Why? Because I believe the fastest way to build confidence, whether you are a teen or an adult, is to go to the gym. You push yourself and you see results. You feel better. You eat better. You look better. You are on a roll! That is exactly what happened to my client. Within two to three months, he was a happier person. He felt better about himself, he looked better, and he had more self-confidence. But, he didn’t have a job.
His next step was to create a better resume, so he could find work. We worked together and created his new resume. But then he didn’t know who to send it to. He thought, “I don’t know who needs me.” The real problem, though, was his lack of self-confidence. He didn’t believe in himself and his abilities. With my encouragement to “just try it,” he sent his resume out to a few people before he lost interest, thinking he was a failure. Though he gave up his job search, he continued to work out at the gym and build his self-confidence. After a couple of months, he tried sending out his resume again. Within a short period of time, he got a job and his self-confidence soared. He now had a reason to get up every day and he had something positive to look forward to. Most importantly, he no longer doubted that someone needed him, and he once again believed in himself and his abilities. He is now happier and is living a more fulfilled life, giving back to his community.
This boost in self-confidence didn’t just happen. By going to the gym regularly, he increased his endorphin levels through strenuous exercise. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that are our body’s “fight or flight” response, and having an excessive amount in our body can be detrimental. However, my client had just the right level and they helped promote his health and well-being. And by setting his goal, his body automatically released dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that motivates us. Together, these things helped him move from depression to a person filled with self-confidence, feeling like the winner he truly is.
Your Success Is Your Choice
For you to achieve all you want to in life, you must be physically and mentally healthy. However, being healthy does not just happen. You must choose to do activities that support your own health and well-being, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, having a hobby, and letting go of stress. You must schedule these into your day just like you plan time for friends, work, learning and helping others.
By taking care of your body and your mental health, you are taking care of your success for teens. It’s a foundational move. It’s your choice.
