It’s a new year, and many of us see it as a moment for making a positive change. We make resolutions to be healthier physically and mentally or be more productive. Exercise more, eat better, sleep more, work harder, connect with others… I have made many of these resolutions myself before.
Having more failures than successes has helped me recognize that it is essential to have self-compassion in my well-being journey. However, the rare instances of success also point to what research has validated: it is vital to have and build self-efficacy in these pursuits.
Coined by the psychologist Albert Bandura, self-efficacy, or the belief that one can perform a behavior, is vital to behavioral management. For example, self-efficacy is a significant factor in managing nutrition and health behaviors.
Beginning last year, I resolved to be physically healthier. By exercising almost every day and watching my caloric intake, I lost 30 pounds. Building self-efficacy was essential in developing and maintaining my resolution.
Here are some ways I have found helped build self-efficacy based on Bandura’s self-efficacy theory:
I hope these ideas and my own experience spark encouragement in your own new year’s resolutions!
Be well,
Louis Tay
Tay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences. He has expertise in well-being, assessments, and data science. Be sure to check back each week for another wellness tip of the week!
Visit this page to learn more about members of the Research Collaborative
Office of the Dean of Students, Student Support Services
Counseling and Psychological Services
To join the conversation and learn more,
use the hashtag #PurdueStepstoLeaps on social channels: