Do We Believe We Can?

According to Bandura, the concept of self-efficacy asserts that expectations of personal mastery are the primary determinants of changes in behavior.

(Do we let our beliefs make us give up before trying? Or do we try in the firm belief that we can do it.)

Expectations of self-efficacy determine the initial decision to perform a behavior and the amount of effort to expend in the behavior, as well as the amount of persistence in the face of adversity.

(Do we let our beliefs make us quit trying too soon? Or do our beliefs make us refuse to give up no matter what, until we get to where we choose to go?)

Self-efficacy has a direct influence on the choice of activities; people avoid situations that they believe they cannot cope with and become involved in activities they feel capable of handling.

(It is one thing to avoid something that we don't want - that is self-determination - that is us choosing our own behaviors, path and destiny. It is quite a different thing to defer our dreams because someone done told us that we were not capable of handling it. To which I say on our behalf - Fuck 'em. Continuing to believe that baloney after that person is / those persons are long gone is what I would call internalized oppression. Yes, that means now we are doing it to ourselves - holding ourselves down. To which I say on our behalf - Fuck 'em.)

The stronger the perceived efficacy, the more effort is expended in an activity. Those who persist in threatening situations and master the experience gain efficacy reinforcement, whereas those who choose to avoid threatening situations or cease their activities early reinforce negative efficacy expectations (Tollett et al, 1995).

If we believe that we can, then we will choose to try.
We will dig deep and double our efforts. We will persist - "do it or die trying."
Most of the time the only difference between success or failure is whether or not we give up (sure failure) or persist.
Because we refuse to give up, we will achieve whatever it is we set out to do.
Undaunted by obstacles and barriers, we overcome or cope with these stumbling blocks by problem-solving, trouble-shooting, and just plain figuring-it-out. However. long. it. takes.
This accomplishment gives us a sense of competence, mastery, confidence and control.
The next time we are faced with a choice to try something new, a sense of accomplishment from past experiences makes it more likely that we will give something new a shot again.
We are developing a track record of success. We are amassing evidence to support our belief that we can do it, through the expenditure of enough energy (work) and the logging of enough hours.