Are We in the Midst of a Confidence Crisis? How Lifestyle Coaching Can Support You

More adults than ever are struggling with confidence, self-compassion, and self-esteem.

Research shows that nearly half (49%) of women are grappling with self-esteem issues that are significantly impacting their daily life and their choices, and stopping them from seeking new opportunities. The roots of these issues often stem from body image concerns, social comparisons, career and professional life, and romantic relationships.

And this confidence crisis isn't limited to women. Another study reveals that low self-esteem has surged since the pandemic amongst UK adults in general. But what exactly is causing so many people to struggle with confidence and self-esteem, and how can lifestyle coaching help?

The Science Behind Low Self-Esteem

Understanding the mechanisms behind low confidence, self-esteem, and self-compassion is crucial for addressing these issues. Two key concepts in psychology - the Reticular Activating System (RAS) and confirmation bias - play key roles in how we perceive ourselves and the world around us.

Have you ever noticed how, after getting a new car, you suddenly start seeing that model everywhere? That’s your RAS at work.

It filters the overwhelming information we encounter daily and highlights what it deems significant based on our beliefs and desires.

RAS - The RAS is a network of neurons in the brain responsible for filtering out irrelevant information, allowing us to focus on what we consider important.

It filters the overwhelming information we encounter daily and highlights what it deems significant based on our beliefs and desires.

For example, a study found that parents living near an airport would sleep through the noise of airplanes taking off but awaken to the sound of their baby stirring in the next room - a much quieter sound. That’s because their RAS has learnt what stimuli are important and tunes the brain accordingly.

Then there’s our confirmation bias; a similar concept to our RAS which refers to our tendency to seek out, and focus on, information that aligns with our existing beliefs. For example, if you believe that you are not good enough, your brain will prioritise any information that confirms this belief, rather than information that challenges it, causing you to focus on areas in your life that are negative, rather than positive.

This can lead to a vicious cycle where low self-esteem perpetuates itself. Research shows that negativity bias is more prevalent in those with lower self-esteem, suggesting a feedback loop between these two factors.

“You can’t live a positive life with a negative mind”

Making a Mindset Shift Through Lifestyle Coaching

To break free from this cycle, we can leverage the principles behind the Law of Attraction, which suggests that we can achieve our goals through positive thinking - often referred to as ‘manifesting’. But this idea has real scientific backing, particularly when it comes to self-esteem with the thoughts and beliefs that we hold about ourselves directly impacting the opportunities we attract.

Research suggests that those who practice self-compassion have a more accepting approach to personal setbacks and are motivated to better themselves, without harsh self-criticism. Lifestyle coaching often supports this process by helping you develop conscious awareness and positive self-talk. 

By consciously focussing on positive self-talk and desired goals, you can in fact retrain your RAS to filter in information that influences how you perceive yourself and supports your aspirations to ultimately create a life you love.

However, the Law of Attraction alone isn’t enough. While positive thinking is a crucial first step, action is necessary to achieve real change. Focus on your goals, let your RAS start identifying relevant opportunities, and then take tangible steps toward achieving them.

The Importance of Setting SMARTER Goals

Research indicates that we are 80% more likely to achieve our goals if we:

• Make them SMARTER. That means making them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound, Exciting, and Rewarding.

• Write them down. A research study discovered that those who wrote down their goals were 42% more likely to achieve them than those who didn’t write them down.

• Make a contract to achieve them. It has been suggested that accountability partners can be successful in helping you achieve your goals. Lifestyle coaching often encourages these practices to help clients stay focussed and accountable.

Shifting your focus toward your goals is a powerful tool for boosting confidence and self-esteem. By training your brain to filter information that aligns with your aspirations, you will become more aware of the opportunities around you.

Take The First Step Today:

Write down three things you like about yourself every day for a week.

Set a small, SMARTER goal related to one of those qualities (For example, if you value your creativity, challenge yourself to create something new and share it with someone).

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