The danger of this type of thinking is that it could prevent some very talented women from ever pursuing an interest or a career in an area where they may have great potential or find a great deal of happiness. It's hard to talk of confidence and self-esteem except as a package deal. Likewise, a strong belief in your abilities, and the positive attitude that comes with it, will boost your feelings of self-esteem. According to a study by Robert A. Josephs, Ph.D., and his associates at the University of Texas at Austin, men and women derive their confidence and self-esteem from different places. It all goes back to our childhood years.
Boys are much more encouraged to learn skills and how to do things.
The problem is that neither prettiness nor personality suggests any kind of competence or provides personal fulfillment and thus does not produce any real lasting sense of confidence or self-esteem. If you feel that your confidence and self-esteem could use a boost, that's probably a sign that they could. Here's what the experts recommend. By building a little muscle and losing a little fat, he says, you can improve your feelings about your body and about yourself. Gag your internal critic.