Actions Confident athletes expect success and show it in their body language. They rarely give their opponent a confidence boost by appearing discouraged or threatened. Although it is true that success breeds confidence, it is equally so that confidence increases one's probability for success. Success is never certain, but self-doubt, negativity, and low expectations guarantee failure. Belief in oneself prevents harmful distractions such as anxiety, allowing for a more efficient performance focus.
Confidence also adds security during slumps and helps the athlete sustain effort.
Finally, self-belief prompts athletes to set higher performance goals, as greater achievements are expected and appear more attainable. Athletes who lack confidence worry needlessly about mistakes, lose concentration, allow dangerous levels of arousal to intrude, and hasten failure by giving up. After all, there is nothing to gain by trying. Although confidence is desired by all, there is no replacement for competence. The most confident athlete in the world still needs skill and experience to succeed.