Skip to Main Content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

Self-belief: thinking positively about yourself and your abilities

What is a self-belief?

Self-beliefWhat is Self-Belief?

Self-belief (or self-efficacy) is a person’s belief in their ability to complete tasks and to achieve their goals (Bandura, 1995).

  • Judging yourself to be capable of success increases your chances of actual success. 
  • Judging yourself as not capable of success reduces the chance of success.
Click on the video icon This animation from The Education Hub introduces the concept of self-efficacy, describing what it is, why it's important

What self-belief is not

Self-belief means that you should have enough self-confidence to change, but not over-estimate your abilities, as that could become a fixed mindset attitude.

You should be willing to grow and adapt but still have ideas about your strengths and weaknesses so that you can work on the weaker areas.

Adapted from: University of Queensland (2019) Self-esteem and self-confidence. Available at: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/student-support/health-and-wellbeing/self-help-resources/self-esteem-and-self-confidence (Accessed: 14 May 2020)

Click to view Video icon

As the Athletic Director and head coach of the Varsity Soccer team at Ryerson University, Dr. Joseph is often asked what skills he is searching for as a recruiter: is it speed? Strength? Agility?

In Dr. Joseph's TEDx Talk, he explores self confidence and how it is not just the most important skill in athletics, but in our lives.

MindTools      This quiz from MindTools (scroll down the page a little) will assess how self-confident you are