What would happen if we saw ourselves the way others did? Heartwarming video shows the power of confidence 

  • Nurse Denise Summers, stuntman Kortel Autrey and baker Shoneji Robison all lack self-confidence
  • The uplifting climax to the video shows how their lives are changed when they see themselves from the perspective of those closest to them  

By Sean O'hare For Dailymail.com

Published: 10:16 EST, 18 November 2016 | Updated: 19:32 EST, 18 November 2016

'Whether you think you can or you can't, you are right,' Henry Ford once famously said.

Confidence, as the great American industrialist realized, is one of the most important tools necessary to achieve your life goals.

An uplifting new video from Strayer University shows just how true this may be. It demonstrates how the lives of three people who lack self-confidence are changed once they view themselves through the eyes of those closest to them. 

Inspiring: Stunt bike rider Kortel Autrey is the founder of non-profit organization Bikes over Bang'N that redirects LA youth away from gang activity, but he lacks self-confidence

Stunt bike rider Kortel Autrey is the founder of non-profit organization Bikes Over Bang'N that redirects inner-city LA youth away from gang activity. He says: 'They would put down guns and pick up a bike.'

But despite his achievements, Kortel expresses doubts about his ability to run the organization. 

He says: 'I have a lot of experience riding bikes... but when it comes to running a business [these] are different monsters, unbearable sometimes, because I'm excited, I'm anxious, I'm nervous, I'm scared.'

Dreams: Registered nurse Denise Summers would love to get her Bachelors degree and take on more responsibility with an administrative role at her hospital

Encouraging: Charge nurse Matthew (left) says that he thinks that his friend and colleague Denise (right) should follow her dreams and go out and get a degree

Businesswoman: Baker Shoneji Robison owns Southern Girl Desserts bakery, but she lacks self-confidence when it comes to running the company

According to psychologist Dr Kathryn Smerling, self-confidence is not an innate characteristic, but it is something that is built.

‘Confidence occurs through methodical, step-by-step success,’ she says. ‘Being confident is key to cultivating a successful career, because you are more willing to learn, take risks, and do what it takes to accomplish key goals.’ 

But travel nurse Denise Summers is a successful person who has still struggled to build the self-confidence which could further her career.

She dreams of getting her Bachelor's degree, settling down and taking on more responsibility with a managerial role at a hospital.

Motivating: In the heartwarming climax to the video, we see what happens when these individuals view themselves from the perspective of those closest to them

However, the 47-year-old is feeling low in confidence after being out of the academic system for so long, and she wonders if furthering her education beyond her Associate's degree is worth the expense at her age.  

Dr Smerling says that feeling good about what you do generates positive feelings and helps build self-confidence.

'It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy,' she adds. 'The more confident you become the more you are open to learning, the more curious you are, and the more likely your performance is to improve.'

Baker Shoneji Robison also struggles with confidence when it comes to running the bakery she co-owns with her friend and partner Catarah.

Emotional: Denise is moved to tears in one of the final clips of the video

Supportive: Bakery co-owner Catarah (left) says Shoneji (right) should take a step back and appreciate just how far she has come and what she has done for others

Southern Girl Desserts is one of the premier desserts companies in Los Angeles and employs a staff of ten. However, despite the success of her bustling business, Shoneji expresses a lack of confidence in her ability to run it.

'My confidence as a business owner does not match my confidence as a baker,' she says. 

But Catarah feels that Shoneji should take a step back and appreciate just how far she has come and what she has done for others.

In the heartwarming climax to the video, we see just what happens when these individuals view themselves from the perspective of those closest to them — and how their lives may be changed by gaining confidence.  

BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE WITH STRAYER UNIVERSITY

Strayer University offers in-demand subject areas, flexible scheduling and over 120 years of making it possible. Winter classes online and on-campus start January 3rd. Possible starts now at Strayer.edu.  

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