By Evi Chrysoheri,
In recent times, there has been a growing trend of relentless self-improvement. Everyone seems to be striving toward a specific dream —most often, the aspiration to become a millionaire living the ‘perfect’ life. Social media constantly showcases successful individuals who offer advice on how to reach their level of achievement, exuding confidence, and appearing firmly grounded.
While these is truth to all this, the kind of self-assurance that fuels the belief that anyone can achieve whatever they set their mind to; creates a misleading impression –that confidence is the key to success. There are successful individuals who lack confidence, just as there are many confident people who have achieved little to no success. Confidence does not equate success. Just because someone is self-assured, it does not mean they will automatically excel in their career, because true success requires hard work and talent. Society has fostered the mistaken belief that confidence alone is enough to achieve anything one desires, placing immense pressure on people to turn their self-assurance into tangible success.
As a result, those with low self-confidence often feel ashamed, guilty, or generally inadequate, while those who are overly self-assured set unrealistic goals and ultimately face disappointment. This widespread misconception has led society to confuse self-importance with importance and self-admiration with admiration, pushing more people towards excessive self-absorption. Confidence is not an inherent trait but rather a product of one’s abilities. Studies have shown that school students with high confidence tend to have good grades. However, there are confident pupils who perform poorly and show little to no signs of improvement. As a conclusion, confidence is the result of competence and not vis versa. Research further suggests that men generally exhibit more confidence than women, yet this confidence is often not rooted in any tangible achievements. Thus, many men who boast excessively have accomplished very little, they can be characterized as delusional while women are more modest.
In some cases, low self-confidence can be more beneficial than high confidence and insecurities can play an important role in future success. Low confidence is an adaptive tool, it can help prevent disasters and enhance competence. When someone lacks certainty in their abilities, they are more likely to put in extra effort to improve, ultimately achieving higher performance and greater success. The anxiety, experienced by someone with low confidence, can often be channeled into a productive approach to problem-solving. Such individuals tend to be more cautious in order to avoid mistakes and put in maximum effort to prevent the outcome they fear —in this case, failure.
Research has identified three key characteristics commonly observed in individuals with exceptional performance. The first is modesty and kindness, traits that prove far more beneficial than arrogance, as they foster collaboration and continuous learning. The second is a strong work ethic, which consistently outweighs the advantages of innate talent by ensuring sustained effort and perseverance. Finally, confidence can be a valuable asset, but only when paired with genuine competence, as self-assurance without the requisite skills or expertise may lead to overestimation of one’s abilities and subsequent inefficacy.
In a world that increasingly equates confidence with success, it is crucial to recognize that true achievements stems from much more than mere self-assurance. While confidence can be beneficial, it is neither a guarantee of success nor a substitute for hard work, competence and integrity. Arrogance without substance leads to complacency, whereas humility, diligence and continuous self-improvement pave the way for meaningful accomplishments.
Rather than glorifying confidence for its own sake, we should focus on cultivating the qualities that drive real progress —discipline, resilience and a commitment to growth. Success is not about projecting an image of certainty but about the willingness to learn, adapt, and persevere.
Reference
- Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic Ph.D. Confidence: Overcoming Low Self-Esteem, Insecurity, and Self-Doubt. Avery. New York City. 2013.
