What Is Confidence?

Confidence can be described as a belief in one's ability to succeed. Striking a healthy balance can be challenging. Too much of it and you can come off as cocky and stumble into unforseen obstacles, but too little can prevent you from taking risks and seizing opportunities—in school, at work, in your social life, and beyond.

Recent posts on Confidence

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How We Feel About What's "Down There"

You’ll feel greater confidence in yourself as a sex partner and more sexually attractive if you’re satisfied with your genital appearance.

Calling Trump and Clinton - It's Hurricane Matthew

By Mark Goulston M.D., F.A.P.A. on October 10, 2016 in Just Listen
The best leaders make great judgment calls with regard to: strategy, people and crisis. This is a great opportunity to "ready test" candidates Trump and Clinton on judgment
<a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_wavebreakmediamicro'>wavebreakmediamicro / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

For the Public Good: How Much Difference Can You Make?

By F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on October 10, 2016 in Off the Couch
Have you given up on trying to make a difference in the world? Research says that you might want to revise your strategy.

Ten Tips for Happiness

By Barton Goldsmith Ph.D. on October 07, 2016 in Emotional Fitness
Happiness can be hard to feel at times, so don’t think there is something wrong with you if you don’t feel it.

Why You Need to Be a Success at Failure

By Atalanta Beaumont on October 07, 2016 in Handy Hints for Humans
Failure: Your inbuilt learning curve.

Stressing the PSAT

By Janet Hicks Ph.D. on October 06, 2016 in Raising Parents
How can I support my child if she performs poorly on the PSAT?

Do It Just Because You Want To

By Pamela D. Garcy Ph.D. on October 03, 2016 in Fearless You
How often do you allow yourself to do something just because you want to? Making your wants important is a foundation to long term fulfillment in life.

Don’t Make the Mistake of Undervaluing Mistakes

And so instead of feeling horrible about the "mistake" he had made, the little boy experienced the "catastrophe" as something positive.

To Achieve Your Purpose You Must First Know Thyself

By Dan Pontefract on September 30, 2016 in Working on Purpose
It is critically important to know thyself if one wants to achieve a sense of purpose. Have you declared your purpose?

4 Ways to Stop Feeling Insecure in Your Relationships

By Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on September 30, 2016 in Living Forward
Chronic insecurity is toxic to your relationships. You can learn to stop the sinking feeling of insecurity and regain your sense of well-being.

Staying Physically Active Promotes Self-Reliance as You Age

By Christopher Bergland on September 30, 2016 in The Athlete's Way
A new study from Yale University reports that staying moderately physically active is key to maintaining mobility and a state of independence as people get older.

Fear of Speaking in Public: A Lesson for Teens

By Raychelle Cassada Lohmann MS, LPC on September 29, 2016 in Teen Angst
Have you ever wanted to ask a question or speak in front of a group of people, but couldn't get the words out? If so, then you are 100 percent completely normal.

8 Crucial Differences Between Healthy and Unhealthy Pride

By Leon F Seltzer Ph.D. on September 28, 2016 in Evolution of the Self
The term "pride" is saddled with negative connotations. But it can be a good thing, too. So is pride a matter of degree, as in "too much of a good thing"? Or is it something else?

5 Ways Pole Dancing Can Improve Your Life

By Caitlin Cantor LCSW, CST on September 27, 2016 in Modern Sex
Pole dancing can help you celebrate your body just as you are right now. Give your inner critic a day off!

The Glory of Doubt

By Hank Davis on September 27, 2016 in Caveman Logic
It takes courage and integrity to express Doubt. Faith is not always a virtue. In fact, it may be a central human failing and we should stop glorifying it.

The Cheap Shot Use of "You Don't Know That For Certain!"

By Jeremy E Sherman Ph.D. on September 27, 2016 in Ambigamy
To feel right always, diagnose anyone who disagrees with you as suffering from bias and self-certainty. Perform an intervention and start treatment immediately.

Just-in-Time and Deep: The Secret to Less Stressful Planning

Are you worried that you're doing too much planning and not enough doing? Once you know the purpose of personal project plans, you'll know just how much to plan, and when.

Trump and Clinton Debate Public Speaking Strategies

By Gleb Tsipursky Ph.D. on September 25, 2016 in Intentional Insights
Trump and Clinton use research-based strategies to inform their debate and public speaking skills - and now you can use the same to be a better public speaker!

The Truth Shall Set You Free—Except When It Doesn’t

By Eric Dietrich Ph.D. on September 24, 2016 in Excellent Beauty
Uncertainty can be more deadly than certainty, but certainty is what the law is looking for. Why, when it is such a rare commodity?

Trying to Explain the Inexplicable

By Gary Smith Ph.D. on September 23, 2016 in What the Luck?
We are tempted to look for psychological explanations for successes and failures, when the more convincing explanation is simply that people get lucky—and luck is fleeting.

The (Lost) Art of Self-Reflection

If you are tired of the blame game and want to get real answers, consider engaging in a little self-reflection with these nine steps.

Changing Someone's Mind

By Marty Nemko Ph.D. on September 22, 2016 in How To Do Life
Tips I'm only moderately confident in...but they're the best I can come up with.

Small Bits of Bravery to Accomplish Anything

By Susan Harrow on September 21, 2016 in The Body Blog
Bravery comes in many forms. What if you can do one brave act a day, no matter how small to build your bravery?

8 Ways to Overcome a Blow to Your Ego

It’s tough to lose at something that matters to you, whether a race with hundreds of strangers or a bet with your best friend. These 8 tips will help you bounce back from defeat.
Carl Pickhardt Ph.D.

Adolescence and Four Skills of Self-Discipline

Developing self-discipline is part of growing independence as one develops the capacity to become one's own authority when it comes to accomplishing what one needs to do.

How To Be Perfect

By Gleb Tsipursky Ph.D. on September 18, 2016 in Intentional Insights
Do you want a perfect job? A perfect body? A perfect relationship? Perfect health?

Self-Enhancement in a Small World

By Joachim I Krueger Ph.D. on September 18, 2016 in One Among Many
The Society of Experimental Social Psychology convenes in Santa Monica end of September, 2016. Voilà mes deux centimes.

Conquer Public Speaking Anxiety Via Emotional Intelligence

By Gleb Tsipursky Ph.D. on September 17, 2016 in Intentional Insights
A few tips will go a long way to addressing any anxiety around public speaking

Tune Up Your Therapy with Healing Song and Support

By Lisa Aronson Fontes Ph.D. on September 14, 2016 in Invisible Chains
Feeling stuck or shy and lacking joy? Singing in a supportive group can help bring your groove back.

Want to Be Young and Healthy Forever?

By Gleb Tsipursky Ph.D. on September 13, 2016 in Intentional Insights
Here's the science that will help!