@GlenM
Here EXAMPLES ADDED to my top "CONFIDENCE BUILDING" suggestions from personal experience and extensive research...
1) SMALL TINY SUCCESSES ARE CRUCIAL FOR BUILDING CONFIDENCE QUICKLY.
Always start with TINY or MINI goals that are so easy you can't fail.
The feeling of progress from tiny successes is the best way to grow confidence.
Take tiny steps... and very soon... you will go far.
EXAMPLE GOAL: Open the book and just read the first sentence of homework assignment.
2) JUST TAKE ACTION AND START... RATHER THAN WAIT TO FEEL MOTIVATED.
Taking action creates momentum and confidence.
EXAMPLE OF JUST TAKE ACTION AND START - Just open the book and read the first sentence of homework assignment rather than waiting until "feeling" like doing the homework.
3) ACCEPT THAT TAKING SMALL RISKS IS CRUCIAL FOR MAKING PROGRESS.
Progress occurs faster when one is willing to take a risk and perhaps make a mistake.
Learning and making progress is much faster then.
EXAMPLE OF BECOMING WILLING TO TAKE A SMALL RISK TO MAKE PROGRESS - Just say hello to someone you think you might like.
4) FIGURE OUT WHY YOU ARE STUCK... TO HELP YOU GET UNSTUCK
as explained here https://www.7cups.com/@7motivation
EXAMPLE OF FINDING WHY YOU ARE STUCK:
Follow instructions on the web page above.
For example:
a) go through the list and notice which "stuck reason" seems to match you most right now (perhaps perfectionist)
b) then Google or Bing search for "how to stop being a perfectionist"
c) see all the great resources that are provided
d) start reading the one that you think most applies to you
e) apply the simplest idea that seems worth trying
5) GET ON A VERY SIMPLE GROWTH PATH AND KEEP AT IT DAILY.
Even small tiny progress will create good momentum if done daily.
EXAMPLE OF GETTING ON A SIMPLE GROWTH PATH AND USING IT DAILY:
Decide you want to "Get Confidence in Doing Math".
Get a piece of paper and write
"GET CONFIDENCE GOING MATH" at the top.
Then write a simple growth path like this...
Example Growth Path Step 1:
Google or Bing search for
"HOW TO GET CONFIDENCE DOING MATH"
Like this https://www.google.com/search?q=Get+Confidence+in+Doing+Math
Example Growth Path Step 2:
Do the first simplest thing on the list that seems most appropriate.
Example Growth Path Step 3:
Track progress and ideas for next steps daily on the piece of paper.
Example Growth Path Step 4:
Repeat the process above as needed for new issues that come up.
6) TRACK YOUR PROGRESS.
That will create feedback and inspiration. You'll be able to see your progress.
I use toothpicks to tally and track my progress right at the location where needed.
I also write a simple note on a piece of paper daily on my progress.
Any simple tracking method can help keep focus and make progress.
Seeing daily results greatly increases confidence.
EXAMPLE OF TRACKING PROGRESS WITH TOOTHPICKS:
Get a box of toothpicks.
Each time you do something that improves your confidence during the day (like do a homework problem).... take out one toothpick and put it in a special place on your desk.
Notice how much progress you are making whenever you look at the toothpicks.
The next day, add to your toothpicks and watch as the collection grows and grows over time.
EXAMPLE OF TRACKING PROGRESS WITH A PIECE OF PAPER:
a) take a piece of paper and at the top write
"MATH CONFIDENCE IMPROVEMENT LOG".
b) each time you do a math problem, make a short note.
c) notice how big the list gets quickly and how much progress you are making.
7) FOCUS ONLY ON THE MOST ESSENTIAL THING FOR RIGHT NOW.
Just say no to everything that is non-essential for right now.
Most things are non-essential and non-useful.
EXAMPLE OF FOCUSING ON THE MOST ESSENTIAL THING FOR RIGHT NOW:
a) write down on piece of paper what you think is important to focus on right now
(like "Call friend and ask for help on math problem").
b) decide to ignore everything else for now because it's not essential and won't be as useful.
c) call the friend and ask for help on the math problem.
8) MAKING MANY SMALL EXPERIMENTS IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN SPENDING LOTS OF TIME ON RESEARCH OR READING OR SEARCHING OR WATCHING VIDEOS.
Doing many experiments gives results quickly... and creates faster learning... and better ideas... and more progress.
Spend the most time doing... rather than the most time just thinking.
Doing things is much more rewarding and builds much more confidence.
Focus on the smart effort put in. Feel good about that because that is most important. Results will eventually follow.
EXAMPLE OF MAKING MANY SMALL EXPERIMENTS TO GAIN CONFIDENCE AND MAKE PROGRESS QUICKER:
a) try to cook something simple.
b) test it to see how it tastes.
c) notice what you like and what could be improved.
d) try another experiment based on what you learned and any new ideas you got.
Keep repeating until you find what works for you.
9) HAVE A SIMPLE STRATEGY AND STICK TO IT.
Modify it as needed.
EXAMPLE OF PICKING A SIMPLE STRATEGY AND STICKING TO IT:
Decide to get confidence to learn to cook something simple.
Pick a strategy perhaps like this:
a) search internet and find simple thing to cook that you like
b) cook it
c) improve it based on what you learned
(search the internet for more answers if needed)
d) if the above strategy isn't working, modify it by contacting a friend for ideas.
10) MODIFY YOUR ENVIRONMENTS AND PERSONAL SYSTEMS TO MAKE PROGRESS EASIER FOR YOU.
Design your environment so wanted behaviors are the easiest to do so become the default.
EXAMPLES OF MODIFYING YOUR ENVIRONMENT TO MAKE PROGRESS EASIER:
a) put reminders of your past successes on your desk to inspire confidence when needed.
b) remove distractions from your workspace so you can be more confident you won't be easily distracted by things close by.
11) FIND SOMEONE TO HELP OR ADVISE WHENEVER NEEDED.
Getting help from the right person can be crucial to making progress.
EXAMPLE OF FINDING SOMEONE WHEN NEEDED:
If unconfident and not making any progress and feel stuck,
then think of a person who might be able to help you make progress and contact them.
Please forgive any typos above.
