Do you believe in your ability to figure things out? Do you trust that you can handle whatever life throws at you? Do you follow through on goals, even when the outcome is uncertain?
If you answered no (or even maybe) to any of the above, it’s time to talk about self-efficacy—the quiet superpower behind lasting confidence.
What is self-efficacy?
Self-efficacy is your belief in your ability to succeed in a specific situation or accomplish a task. It’s not about knowing everything in advance—it’s about trusting that you’ll figure it out as you go.
People with high self-efficacy:
✅ Try new things even if they might fail
✅ Keep going when things get hard
✅ Don’t crumble under feedback or rejection
In short: they take action. And that action builds confidence.
The 4 zones of self-efficacy
Psychologist Albert Bandura identified four key zones that shape your self-efficacy—and in turn, your confidence:
🏃🏽♀️➡️ Mastery Experiences – The “Doing” Zone
This is the most powerful confidence builder: taking action and succeeding (or surviving!). When you face a challenge and push through, you reinforce the belief that you can handle hard things.
Example:
One of my clients was terrified of public speaking. She started with low-pressure opportunities—team meetings and small presentations—and gradually built up to leading workshops. Each time she spoke, her confidence grew. Not because it was perfect, but because she showed herself: I did it.
👁️ Vicarious Experiences – The “Seeing is Believing” Zone
Watching others succeed—especially those who remind you of yourself—helps you believe it’s possible for you too.
Example:
A startup co-founder I worked with struggled to have hard conversations with her direct reports. But after seeing how her co-founders navigated conflict openly and respectfully, she felt empowered to do the same. Seeing it modeled gave her the courage to try.
❤️ Verbal Persuasion – The “Encouragement” Zone
Positive reinforcement from others helps you build belief in yourself. When someone you trust tells you, you’ve got this, you start to believe it too.
Example:
Another client doubted her ability to step into leadership. Through coaching, she received consistent encouragement—along with tools and accountability. That steady belief in her potential gave her the confidence to lead meetings, make decisions, and own her voice at work.
🧠 Emotional & Physiological States – The “Mind-Body” Zone
When we’re anxious or overwhelmed, our brains register threat, and confidence plummets. Learning to calm your nervous system—through breathing, mindset work, or movement—helps you feel more grounded and in control.
Example:
Before big presentations, I used to get a racing heart and negative self-talk. Now, I take a few deep breaths, visualize success, and ground myself with power poses. This helps me shift from panic to presence.
Why this matters
You don’t build confidence by waiting to feel ready. You build it by doing the thing—again and again—and showing yourself that you can.
This is why I teach my clients a new definition of confidence: ✨ Confidence is your willingness to try, take action, and treat yourself with self-compassion when you fail. ✨
How to start building more self-efficacy
✔️ Take small risks daily – Speak up. Post on LinkedIn. Say yes to something new.
✔️ Track your wins – Keep a file of moments when you stretched yourself.
✔️ Celebrate effort – Not everything will go perfectly. Did you show up? That matters.
✔️ Be kind to yourself – Especially when things don’t go as planned.
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure, it’s not a sign you’re not capable. It’s just a sign your self-efficacy muscle needs strengthening. And like any muscle—it grows with practice.
So, what’s one small, brave step you can take today to build yours? You’ve got this!
Lots of love,
-Anna
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