Answer each question or statement by choosing which one
of the three alternative responses given is most applicable to you.
Questions
1. How much do you depend on the approval of others in order
to feel good about yourself?
a. Very much, as it makes me feel I am doing right not
just by myself but also by others.
b. Not very much, as generally I trust my own abilities.
c. Generally, it does make me feel better when I have the
approval of others.
2. How comfortable would you feel if invited to attend a
social gathering such as a Buckingham Palace Garden Party?
a. Not very comfortable, in fact extremely nervous.
b. Very comfortable, and welcoming of the opportunity to meet
many interesting and possibly famous people.
c. Fairly pleased about the prospect of attending, but
also a little nervous.
3. How often do you worry about your appearance?
a. Frequently.
b. Rarely or never.
c. Occasionally.
4. In general, do you feel good about yourself?
a. I often feel frustrated and that I could do better and
achieve more.
b. Yes.
c. It is not something to which I have particularly given
much thought.
5. How much would you welcome the opportunity to take
part in a current affairs radio discussion?
a. I would be very nervous and prefer not to take part.
b. Very much.
c. I would not mind taking part, but would not be overly excited
at the prospect.
6. How would you describe your expectations in life?
a. I live more in hope than anticipation.
b. Realistic.
c. Quite high.
7. How good are you at selling yourself?
a. Not very good.
b. Very good.
c. I have some strengths that I am able to emphasize.
8. Do you feel there is a need to conform in order to be
accepted by others?
a. Yes, to a great extent.
b. I am not interested in conforming, merely to be
accepted.
c. To a certain extent.
9. How important is it to live up to the standards of
others, such as parents?
a. I believe it is important to have role models.
b. Not that important, as it is more important to become your
own person.
c. It is more important to live up to the standards expected
by society in general, rather than the standards of individuals.
10. Do you generally strive for approval from every
significant person in your life?
a. Yes, generally.
b. No, as this would seem to be an unattainable goal.
c. Sometimes.
11. Do you believe you have the courage of your own
convictions?
a. Not particularly.
b. Yes.
c. Perhaps not as much as I would like.
12. Do you set yourself very high standards in everything
you do?
a. Yes, I believe everyone should set themselves high
standards.
b. I believe it is more important to set myself realistic
standards.
c. Perhaps, in some things I do set myself high
standards.
13. How optimistic an outlook have you on life?
a. I am more of a pessimist than an optimist.
b. Very optimistic.
c. Fairly optimistic.
14. What are your feelings about trying but failing?
a. Disappointment.
b. At least I tried, now is there anything positive I can
gain from the experience?
c. Try, try, and try again.
15. How easy is it for you to bounce back after
adversity?
a. Quite difficult, and there are some adversities from
which you can never totally bounce back.
b. It is easier to bounce back after some adversities
than others, but generally I feel I can bounce back pretty quickly.
c. It is never easy, but, hopefully, given time I am able
to bounce back from most things.
16. How self-reliant are you in your own abilities?
a. We all need to rely on others to some extent.
b. Very much.
c. Fairly self-reliant.
17. How desirable is it for you to develop personal
standards in life?
a. It is important to me that my values and standards
have the approval of others.
b. Very desirable.
c. Fairly desirable.
18. Do you believe you are in control of your own life?
a. Not particularly, and none of us are ever completely
in control of our own lives.
b. In general, I am in control of my own life.
c. I am in control to a certain extent, but not perhaps
as much as I would wish.
19. How assured are you in your own abilities?
a. Not particularly assured.
b. Very assured.
c. Fairly assured.
20. Do you accept yourself for what you are?
a. No, there is always room for improvement.
b. Yes, in general I do.
c. To some extent; however, there are certain things I
would perhaps prefer to change for the better.
21. How afraid are you of taking risks?
a. I worry greatly about taking risks and the possible
consequences of failure.
b. I am not afraid of taking risks, as this is sometimes necessary
in order to be successful.
c. It depends how great the risk.
22. Do you feel independent of the goodwill of others?
a. No.
b. Yes.
c. Sometimes, but not always.
23. How do you view new experiences?
a. With a certain amount of trepidation as not all new
experiences are good ones.
b. As opportunities to learn and open up new
possibilities.
c. As occasions where it is possible to either win or
lose.
24. Do you carry out self-evaluation?
a. Rarely or never.
b. Yes, I often evaluate myself independently.
c. Sometimes.
25. How often do you put yourself down?
a. I am often very self-critical.
b. Very rarely or never.
c. Sometimes; however, I am also very mindful of the
criticisms of others.
Analysis
The three definitions of confidence are:
* Assuredness and self-reliance in one’s own abilities;
* Belief in another person’s trustworthiness or
competency;
* An agreement that information is not to be divulged, as
in the phrase ‘in confidence’.
It is the first of these definitions, self-confidence,
which is being assessed in this exercise.
Self-confidence is an attitude in which individuals have positive,
but at the same time realistic, views about themselves and their situation.
Such an attitude means that self-confident people are able to place trust in
their own abilities and decisions. It also means they are able, to a great
extent and within reason, to take control of their own lives and stand up for
their rights and aspirations in today’s sometimes intimidating world.
At the same time, self-confident people have aspirations
that are realistic. Being self-confident, therefore, does not mean being able
to do everything. It does mean, however, that when sometimes their aspirations
are not fulfilled, they continue to adopt a positive attitude and make the best
of their situation. Self-confidence also need not apply to all aspects of a
person’s lifestyle. Because self-confidence also means the ability to take a realistic
view of themselves, some individuals will have total confidence in some aspects
of their life, such as sporting prowess or social skills, but other aspects
where they do not feel so confident, such as academic achievement.
Because they do not feel the need to conform in order to
be accepted, self-confident people are not excessively dependent on others in
order to feel good about themselves, and rarely put themselves down. Instead,
they are willing to risk the disapproval of others because they have such
confidence in themselves and trust their own abilities, and are able to accept
themselves for what they are.
Assessment
Award yourself 2 points for every ‘b’ answer, 1 point for
every ‘c’, and 0 points for every ‘a’.
40–50 points
Your score indicates that you are very self-confident and
have great belief in your own abilities. Because you are so assured and self-reliant,
you are someone who likes to be involved in, or take control of, any situation
that concerns you. If, for example, there was a reorganization at work, you
would want to take a central part in that reorganization and would see this as
a career opportunity, whereas a less self-confident individual might view such
a situation with a great deal of alarm and worry, and fear that the reorganization
might lead to changes for the worse or even job losses.
The only word of caution to someone who scores so highly
on this test is the need to be wary of over-confidence, to the extent that
others perceive you as brash or cocky. You should at all times maintain a sense
of reality, and bear in mind that success is something that needs to be worked
hard for and will not just happen automatically.
25–39 points
You appear to be a generally confident person with a
positive outlook. Although you are prepared to take a few risks in life, you
are in the main someone who prefers security to a gamble. As you are not seen
as over-confident, this means that you are able to interact with people on an
equal basis, and this ability to interact with others is likely to make you a
good team player.
You are likely to take a positive outlook in most
situations, and have the ability to make decisions in a careful, measured and structured
manner after weighing up all the options carefully.
Fewer than 25
points
As your score indicates a lack of self-confidence in your
own abilities, you need to consider adopting certain strategies for developing
your confidence. This entails first of all analyzing the reasons why you do not
possess the self-confidence of others. One reason may be because it is simply
the way you are. Many people are of a somewhat nervous disposition, or are so
over-modest about their achievements that they tend to run themselves down.
Recommendations
There are other negative assumptions that individuals
lacking self-confidence tend to make about themselves, which it is possible to
address. These include:
* The belief that they are a failure, and not looking at
the positive aspects of their life;
* The pessimistic attitude that disaster is always
lurking around the next corner, and that even when things appear to be looking
up and running smoothly someone, or something, is certain to throw a spanner in
the works very soon;
* Magnifying everything negative that happens out of all proportion;
* Looking at others and thinking they have done better
than them;
* Taking a generally negative view about many aspects of
their life: who they are, what they have achieved and what they will achieve.
Instead of adopting these attitudes, strategies that can
be adopted for developing confidence include:
* Evaluate and emphasize your strengths. Give yourself
credit for everything you try to achieve. Focus on your achievements and any
talents you possess.
* Nothing ventured nothing gained! Do not be afraid of
taking risks. Regard risk taking as not so much a gamble, but the chance to
grasp new opportunities. Even if you fail, be upbeat and give yourself credit
for trying, View the failure as a learning experience and as achieving some
personal growth.
* Learn to evaluate yourself instead of letting other
people do it for you. Often lack of self-confidence is the result of focusing too
much on the unrealistic aspirations of others such as parents, or the standards
and lifestyle of others in society. Instead, focus on how you feel about
yourself and your lifestyle. This will make you feel more in charge of your own
life.
* Do not expect perfection. There is no such thing. Learn
to accept yourself with all your imperfections, at the same time balancing this
with the desire to improve.
* Do not assume you always have to please everyone.
Develop your own standards that are not dependent on the approval of others.
* Do not let your past rule your life. Develop the
confidence to move on and make choices when circumstances dictate this is the
best course of action.
Adopting the above strategies should have the effect of
making you believe more in your own abilities in the future. If you can gain
more confidence, it will in turn encourage more people to have confidence in
you, with the result that you could become a stronger, more respected person,
and have more potential to achieve success in life.
Source: “IQ and Psychometric
Tests”, by Philip Carter
