When faced with a big challenge where potential failure seems to lurk at every corner, maybe you’ve
heard this advice before: “Be more confident.” And most likely, this is what you think when you hear it: “If only it were that simple.” 

But what is confidence? Take the belief that you are valuable, worthwhile, and capable, also known as self-esteem, add in the optimism that comes when you are certain of your abilities, and then empowered by these, act courageously to face a challenge head-on. This is confidence. It turns thoughts into action. So where does confidence even come from?

There are several factors that impact confidence. One: what you’re born with, such as your genes, which will impact things like the balance of neurochemicals in your brain. Two: how you’re treated. This includes the social pressures of your environment. And three: the part you have control over, the choices you make, the risks you take, and how you think about and respond to challenges and setbacks. It isn’t possible to completely untangle these three factors, but the personal choices we make certainly play a major role in confidence development. So, by keeping in mind a few practical tips, we do actually have the power to cultivate our own confidence.

Tip 1: A quick fix. There are a few tricks that can give you an immediate confidence boost in the short term. Picture your success when you’re beginning a difficult task, something as simple as listening to music with deep bass; it can promote feelings of power. You can even strike a powerful pose or give yourself a pep talk.

Tip two: Believe in your ability to improve. If you’re looking for a long-term change, consider the way you think about your abilities and talents. Do you think they are fixed at birth, or that they can be developed, like a muscle? These beliefs matter because they can influence how you act when you’re faced with setbacks. If you have a fixed mindset, meaning that you think your talents are locked in place, you might give up, assuming you’ve discovered something you’re not very good at. But if you have a growth mindset and think your abilities can improve, a challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. Neuroscience supports the growth mindset. The connections in your brain do get stronger and grow with study and practice. It also turns out, on average, people who have a growth mindset are more successful, getting better grades, and doing better in the face of challenges.

Tip three: Practice failure. Face it, you’re going to fail sometimes. Everyone does. J.K. Rowling was rejected by twelve different publishers before one picked up “Harry Potter.” The Wright Brothers built on history’s failed attempts at flight, including some of their own, before designing a successful airplane. Studies show that those who fail regularly and keep trying anyway are better equipped to respond to challenges and setbacks in a constructive way. They learn how to try different strategies, ask others for advice, and persevere. So, think of a challenge you want to take on, realize it’s not going to be easy, accept that you’ll make mistakes, and be kind to yourself when you do. Give yourself a pep talk, stand up, and go for it. The excitement you’ll feel knowing that whatever the result, you’ll have gained greater knowledge and understanding. This is confidence.

You can find this and other TED Ed lessons here

As a girl growing up in a developed country I often took my opportunity to go to school for granted. Although I had periods where I studied really hard there were also times when I unfortunately got influenced by the attitude of other classmates who were just "too cool for school". As many of you also might have experienced, being a hard-working student didn't really equal to popularity or admiration among the other kids.

I guess it was after I started traveling abroad that I truly began to realize how lucky I was that I could get a proper education. Without having an education I would never have got to experience all the things I have to this date, which includes being a student and even a full-time employee in a foreign country. And this is just the beginning.

But there are so many girls out there who never get the chance to have the education they deserve. This year's Nobel Peace Prize is a reminder to all of us of the importance that girls (and boys) everywhere get the chance to learn and to grow, that they get the key to follow their own dreams. I believe education is the key not only to build a brighter future for individuals, but also for the society as a whole.

Malala is the youngest person ever to receive the Peace Prize, and she is truly an inspiration to all of us. She reminds us not only why education is worth fighting for, but to those of us who already have the privilege to get educated it is a reminder about how lucky we are to be able to go to school without having to fear for our lives.


To wrap it up, here are some of my favorite Malala quotes:

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” 

“Education is education. We should learn everything and then choose which path to follow." Education is neither Eastern nor Western, it is human.”  

“I raise my voice not so that i can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard”  

Malala shares the prize with the Indian child rights campaigner Kailash Satyarthi. Together the two laureates take a strong stance in the "struggle against the suppression of children and young people", to quote the Nobel Committee. You can read more about this year's Peace Prize here