"End of discussion, I will take action now!" – The Power of true Self-Efficacy

"Yes, I can" – the inner conviction of being able to master difficult situations on own strength, is referred to as self-efficacy. The difficult part about it is that your head knows the decision and the facts, but the heart is not there yet. It is about affecting your own emotions beyond the rational reasoning and confidence. According to Albert Bandura, there are 4 factors to start with. We list them for you and translate them into applicable affirmations and questions:

1. Experience: "I have already managed so much, I can do this, too!" (How can I develop confidence in my own competence? What knowledge about my own skills can I use?)
2. Effective models: "They did it, then I can do it, too!" (Who can I compare with? What model can I learn from? What recipes of success can I copy or imitate?)
3. Encouragement: "I can do it!" (How can I develop confidence and belief in myself out of myself or with others?)
4. Emotions: "Even if this will be uncomfortable, I am going to pull it through!" (How can I interpret my physiological situation and perceptions differently? What is the good thing about the situation?)

Your attitude is crucial how clear and determined you are when you make decisions and pull them through. It is a good advice not overate each doubt, but to ask yourself at any moment: "How can I influence the situation in my favor?" Then, you can say with much more ease and determination: "I thought it through. I know what to do. I'm going to make it now."

Bandura, A. (1993). Perceived Self-Efficacy in Cognitive Development and Functioning. In: Educational Psychologist. 28 (2), S. 117–148.