Recognising and celebrating success: Sparkling moments

Practicing gratitude

 Working with your strengths

Coping with uncertainty

 Recognising and reducing perfectionism

Using reflective goal setting

In the health and social care sectors, professionals often  work independently, relying on their expertise, skills and values to make decisions.  Professional self-efficacy is  the belief you have in your own abilities to tackle challenges and effectively plan to achieve goals.  Self-efficacy helps people cope more effectively in difficult situations, making it crucial for personal resilience. Self-confidence, believing in one’s abilities, qualities and judgement, empowers individuals, especially in building relationships.

The following characteristics are particularly important:


<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Professional self-efficacy helps people cope more effectively in difficult situations, making it crucial for personal resilience. Self-confidence and the belief in one’s abilities, qualities and judgement alongside seeking support when needed, is the second Foundations for Wellbeing (FWB).</span></p>



<p></p>



<p>Strength spotting involves identifying and acknowledging positive qualities, capabilities, and strengths in ourselves and others. It is about recognising and appreciating the unique talents, skills, and virtues that everyone possesses, even in challenging situations. This practice can foster a supportive and empowering environment, boost self-esteem, and enhance relationships by highlighting strengths and encouraging their development.&nbsp;</p>



<div style="height:25px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>1. Spotting your personal strengths</p>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>Ask yourself the following questions:</p>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Deep roots: What do you still do now that you did as a child?</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Motivation: What activities do you do just because you love doing them?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Voice: When does the tone of your voice indicate enjoyment and energy?</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Energy: What activities do you do that give you energy?</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Rapid learning: What things do you pick up effortlessly and quickly?</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Authenticity: When do you feel like ‘the real me’?</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Attention: Where do you naturally pay attention?</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Ease: What activities come easily to you?</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>2. Spotting the strengths of others</p>



<div style="height:25px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>Build a language of character strengths: Develop an understanding of the range of personal strengths to improve your ability to spot them in others; see the list of character strengths in <a href="https://staging.isort-frontend.pages.dev/toolkit/individuals/self-confidence-and-self-efficacy/working-with-your-strengths" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FWB2 Self-confidence and Self-efficacy </a></p>



<div style="height:25px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>Develop your observation and listening skills: Enhance your awareness of what strengths look like in action based on:&nbsp;</p>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>a) verbal cues (listen for a more assertive voice, improved vocabulary and clarity of speech, and use of specific strengths words)</p>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>b) nonverbal cues (look for improved posture and eye contact, smiling and laughing, and greater use of gestures signifying excitement and passion).</p>



<div style="height:25px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>3. Label and explain character strength behaviours: Show people that you notice when they show their strengths by:</p>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>a) identifying the specific strength demonstrated</p>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>b) explaining how you spotted it</p>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>c) showing that this strength is appreciated.</p>



<div style="height:25px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>Make strengths-spotting a habit: Build your skills by practicing your capacity to recognise character strengths in people across different situations.&nbsp;</p>


Spotting your personal strengths


<p></p>



<p>1. In meetings:&nbsp; Go into meetings wearing your ‘strengths goggles’: i.e. a mindset geared towards identifying people’s strengths as they occur. After you spot strengths in individuals, point out what you observed, tell them the reason for your observation, and express your appreciation for their strengths.</p>



<div style="height:25px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>2. To improve relationships: Spotting character strengths can help us enhance relationships, especially with people whom we find challenging. Focusing on things that irritate us about others can blind us to noticing their positive qualities. Actively seeking out strengths in others fosters empathy, enabling us to appreciate and respect their diversity, while valuing and acknowledging their talents.&nbsp;</p>


Putting on your ‘strengths goggles’


<p></p>



<p>Boosting feelings of self-efficacy involves increasing confidence in your ability to accomplish tasks and achieve goals. Here are some strategies to help enhance self-efficacy:</p>



<div style="height:25px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Set achievable goals: Breaking down goals into smaller, achievable steps will build confidence and reinforce your beliefs in your abilities.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Visualise success: Imagining yourself completing tasks successfully will help reduce self-doubt.</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Celebrate progress: Acknowledging and celebrating your achievements can boost self-esteem and reinforce feelings of competence.</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Seek positive feedback: Seeking out feedback from others, particularly when it is constructive and affirming, can validate your skills and abilities.</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Focus on past successes: Reminding yourself of your past successes can instil confidence in your ability to overcome current obstacles.</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Develop skills: Acquiring new competencies and expertise can increase feelings of self-assurance and competence.</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Surround yourself with supportive people: Seeking encouragement from people who believe in you and offer encouragement and support will reinforce self-belief.</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Challenge negative self-talk: Reframing negative, self-doubting thoughts with statements that emphasise your strengths and capabilities.</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Take risks: Taking on new challenges will enhance personal growth and learning.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Build resilience: Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and resilience, rather than as indicators of personal inadequacy.</li>
</ul>



<div style="height:25px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>



<p>Other strategies will help boost your feelings of self-efficacy, particularly creating your own Personal Board of Directors (<a href="https://staging.isort-frontend.pages.dev/toolkit/individuals/safe-and-secure/quick-wins/using-your-support-networks-creating-your-personal-board-of-directors">FWB1 Safe and Secure Quick Win</a>), strengths-spotting (<a href="https://staging.isort-frontend.pages.dev/toolkit/individuals/self-confidence-and-self-efficacy/quick-wins/spotting-your-personal-strengths">FWB2 Self-confidence and Self-efficacy Quick Win</a>) and making the most of feedback (<a href="https://staging.isort-frontend.pages.dev/toolkit/individuals/professional-identity/making-the-most-of-feedback">FWB4 Professional Identity Core Action</a>)</p>


Enhancing feelings of self-efficacy

Implement visible, low or no-cost improvements that quickly enhance resilience at individual level.

Self-confidence and self-efficacy

Quick Wins

Core Actions

Definitions