Research shows that young people who report feeling high...

Research shows that young people who report feeling high self-efficacy are happier on average. Education obviously has a major role to play in developing self-efficacy and a sense of control (Martin, 2006, PP. 5556). Do not write yourself off. If you do not believe in yourself, you will not be able to function.

(Niven, 2000) Across all ages and all groups, a solid belief in one's own abilities increases life satisfaction by about 30 percent, and makes us happier both in our home lives and in our work lives. (Myers and Diener 1995; cited in Niven, 2000) Believing in yourself means thinking you are a capable person, not that you will never make a mistake.

Do not think that because you are a talented person you cannot learn from others or you should never be criticized or that others want to know how highly you think of yourself. (Niven, 2000) In studies on married couples, a significant connection is found between rigidity in one partner and discord in the relationship. Where one partner is convinced he or she is correct and therefore not open to suggestion, the length of time disagreements continue is about three times as great.

(Botwin, Buss, and Shackelford 1997; cited in Niven, 2000) When things go peppery, we sometimes start a list of ways we failed, ways we caused the problem. This kind of thinking not only can upset us, but it also can keep us away from being able to function. The truth is that any situation is the result of some things that are in your control and some things that are out of your control. Do not delude yourself into thinking a bad situation that is completely of your making.

📌Remember, it makes more sense to deal with outcomes than with faults. (Niven, 2000) Happiness does not depend on how bad happen to an individual. What is more important is whether an individual tends to make negative conclusions about him or herself when negative events occur. Individuals who think of themselves as the case of negative events are 43 percent less likely to be satisfied than those who do not.

(Panos 1997; cited in Niven, 2000) We need self-reinforcement, a belief in ourselves that is strong and unwavering. Be ready to pick yourself up when you are feeling down. (Niven, 2000) The tendency to reinforce one's own self-confidence improves life satisfaction by about 20 percent for both men and women. (Seybolt and Wagner 1997; cited in Niven, 2000) 3-16.

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