Understanding Self-Confidence and Overcoming Doubt
I will review The Self Confidence Workbook: A Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and
Improving Self-Esteem by Markway Barbara and Celia Ampel. This book covers self-confidence,
including the various misconceptions about self-confidence, where it comes from, and explains
how individuals can attain it. The authors noted that confidence is a mysterious quality as it is the
most admired quality. Markway and Ampel defined self-confidence as the willingness to take
steps towards valued goals even when one is anxious and the outcome is likely unknown. The
book noted that confidence comes from being grounded in one’s sense of self.
The authors gave an example and said that engaging in a simple thought exercise helps people decrease anxiety
before performing when in high-stake situations. In this review, I will discuss why I chose the
book and the unique thing I found in it. I will also link the information here with an external
source discussing techniques used to overcome self-doubt and improve self-esteem.
Understanding Self-Confidence and Overcoming Doubt
I chose this book to learn about self-confidence. I wanted to overcome self-doubt and improve my self-esteem. Before reading, I thought confidence was all about feelings. I believed that confident people act with ease and calmness.
However, this book changed my perspective. It taught me that confidence is more than a feeling; it involves the courage to take a leap of faith and act with trust. I do not regret taking the time to read it. The book explains what confidence is, where it comes from, and common misconceptions.
According to Markway and Ampel (2018), confidence is not something we possess every moment. Instead, it is a choice to take bold steps and act in line with our values (p. 22). The authors warn that confidence does not mean speaking the loudest or dominating every moment. It is not defined by wealth or status. Instead, it is about freeing our minds from obsessive worry and self-doubt (Markway and Ampel, 2018, p. 23). APA