New Year, New Goals
January 11, 2026
Why Confidence Matters for Young Adults
Self-confidence plays a key role during the transition into adulthood. As many young adults navigate school, work, independence, identity, and for some, starting a family. All of this can feel overwhelming, but confidence helps with handling pressure, uncertainty, and new challenges.
These changes can be stressful, and when you believe in yourself, the following can happen:
• Determines Action: It helps you take action instead of backing away. When you believe in yourself, you’re more likely to try challenging things instead of avoiding them
• Drives Effort and Persistence: Confidence boosts effort and helps you stick with tough tasks.
• Bridges Desires and Behavior: If you believe you can do it, you’re more likely to take the steps needed.
• Fuel for Future Goals: Progress boosts confidence, which motivates bigger goals.
• Buffers Against Failure: Confidence helps you stay motivated after setbacks.
• Enhances Problem-Solving: You’ll use strategies more effectively and see your skills as improvable with practice.
Self-confidence is like fuel in a car. You might have a great map and know where you want to go, but without fuel you’re not going anywhere.
How Goal Setting Builds Self-Confidence
Setting achievable goals creates a clear path to success and helps you feel more confident to tackle bigger things.
Here is what makes goal setting work:
• The Success Loop: Small wins increase your sense of capability and motivate bigger goals.
• Small Wins (Short-term Goals): Begin with Baby Steps. Little successes prove you’re headed in the right direction and help you stay positive
• Be Specific: Specific goals are easy to track. For example, “finish 5 pages” is clearer than “do my best.”
• Aim for a challenge you can reach: Easy tasks don’t prove much. A difficult but reachable goal builds real confidence.
• Own Your Goals: Choosing your own goals strengthens commitment and belief.
In short: setting clear, small, and slightly challenging goals helps you notice and celebrate progress which is a great way to work towards growing your confidence.
Steps to Effective Goal Setting
When planning goal setting, it is important to break down large goals into smaller, and more manageable steps. One great strategy for goal setting is SMART goals. Below is a breakdown of how you can utilize SMART goals.
S-specific – Be clear about what you want. Who’s involved? What are you doing? When and where? Why does it matter? The more detail, the better.
M-measurable - How will you know you’ve succeeded? Pick something you can track, like “go to the gym 3 times this week” or “save $50 this month.”
A-achievable – Make sure you can actually do this. Do you have what you need? If not, what skills or help do you need to get there?
R-relavent – Does this goal fit with what matters to you right now? Even if you can do something, make sure it’s worth your time and energy.
T-time bound – Set a deadline. “Someday” doesn’t work. Try “by the end of this month” or “in two weeks.”
Practical Strategies for Young Adults
Try engaging in activities that boost your confidence. Pick what feels right for you. Some examples of activities include:
-journaling
-creating vision boards
-weekly check-ins
-celebrating small successes
-connecting with a counsellor or a mentor on a regular basis.
Empowering Young Adults to Grow
Long-term confidence is built through consistent goal-setting and practice, not overnight. If you would like support on your journey, we are here to help.
Call us at: (250)-718-9291 or email us at [email protected] .
References:
https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/D_Schunk_Goal_1990.pdf
Written by: Shavneet Thind, Practicum Student
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