Prosperity,
Thanks for letting me be refreshing (hint hint).
To start out I am just checking to see whether we're on the same page...
As I see it, there are different levels of self-confidence ranging from the extreme hubris, that we are superior or equivalent to gods, to simpler forms of self-confidence, such as realizing that I am a social animal. Somewhere in-between these poles apart lies a realization of what it is like to be human. I do not simply mean that we recognize our status as such and such, rather that we realize our potential (and are able to act accordingly).
In humanistic psychology, as I recall it, the self-confidence of a person is dependent on a relation between her self-image and her ideal self. If the self-image is equal to the ideal self, then there is no trouble. If the self-image is far from reaching the ideal image of self, then self-confidence is low. By this model, the basis for overly self-confident people can be explained as well.
Merriam-Websters Online Dictionary tells us that "self-confidence" is "confidence in oneself and in one's powers and abilities".
I believe, that our efforts are dependent on our attitude toward ourselves. I call this attitude self-confidence and I consider it to be a reflection upon our true selves.
Walking the middle path,
Max
