Found in the chemistry of great achievements is confidence.  Believing you can do it bolsters your ability to get it done. Is it possible to accomplish something remarkable with little or no confidence? Yes. Luck sometimes accounts for success, and at times we find ourselves succeeding despite harboring deep doubts. But in the main, our chances for success in business, sport or life are significantly amplified when we carry confidence into the challenge.

Research consistently finds that superior skills can be negated by a lack of confidence.  Even the most highly skilled perform poorly in circumstances that erode their belief in themselves (Bandura & Jourden, 1991).  In the words of Olympian Carl Lewis, “If you don’t have confidence, you will always find a way not to win.”

It was discovered long ago that athletes who did not perform to expectations in the Olympic Games most often attributed their underperformance, not to a lack of ability, skill or training, but rather a lack of confidence (Orlick & Partington,1988).

In my work with elite coaches and athletes, I’m often asked about confidence–specifically, ‘if I’m not feeling it, how do I get it?’  Research with world-class athletes by Kate Hays and her colleagues (2007) offers some powerful insights. They discovered that elite athletes built confidence using four primary strategies. These tactics could be used by anyone in need of a little confidence to reach an important goal.  In order of importance, they found champions found confidence from:

1.  Preparation.  Both mental and physical preparation were identified as being a prerequisite for feeling confident going into and during competitive performances.  There is no substitute for ‘feeling ready’ when it comes to instilling confidence.

2.  Previous Achievements.  If you experienced previous success in a task or event, it provides clear evidence that you can be successful.  While having ‘done it’ in a competitive context was the strongest provider of confidence, repeatedly accomplishing the task in training environments also proves you can do it.

3.  Coaching.
 Believing your coach has designed and implemented an appropriate training program provides the confidence that you are ready to be successful.  Additionally, if your coach treats you like a champion, you feel like a champion.  If an experienced, knowledgeable coach believes you are able and ready, you believe you are able and ready to execute like a champion.   

4.  Social Support. Feelings of being unconditionally accepted lessen the pressure that your identity and well-being are directly tied to your level of success.  Having family, friends and colleagues believing in you instills confidence.

To a lesser degree, the research found physical and mental characteristics, experience, and perceptions of weakness in opponents as sources of confidence.  The point is, confidence can be found, nurtured, and exercised to one’s advantage in challenging and competitive environments–if you know where to find it.

References

Bandura, A., & Jourden, F. J. (1991). Self-regulatory mechanisms governing the impact of social comparison on complex decision making. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology60(6), 941-951.

Hays, K., Maynard, I., Thomas, O., & Bawden, M. (2007). Sources and Types of Confidence Identified by World Class Sport Performers.Journal Of Applied Sport Psychology19(4), 434-456.

Orlick, T., & Partington, J. (1988). Mental Links to Excellence. Sport Psychologist2(2), 105-130.