"Is there a difference between being conceited and being confident?"

Terms are often thrown around like they have the same meaning without any thought behind it. Words like confident and conceited are often confused, many people failing to distinguish the difference between the two. Being aware of the definition of each word is significant because it ensures education and permits opinions to be made on broader topics. Being confident and being conceited are two very different things because of confidence's positive attribution to one's personality, and conceited’s negative connotation. 

Confidence is vital to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle because it adds purpose and joy to life. Many people try to ensure that they find a way to be confident and try to instill confidence in others as well. Confidence is wanted by many because being self conscious can affect many aspects of a person's life. It is amicable that not feeling comfortable in your own skin can lead to self doubt and discourage one from participating in certain activities. Specifically, someone who dreams of going to the NBA would be disadvantaged if they have low self esteem regarding basketball. This may cause them to fear others' opinions of them, forcing them to leave their dreams behind. If this person was able to find the confidence and courage to attempt getting into the NBA, they might've been able to accomplish their dream by working hard. Emulating this kind of personality is a great attribute to somebody's character. Confidence is beneficial to a person's life because it adds meaning and encourages them.

Let's circle back to the example about the basketball player dreaming of going to the NBA. If this person had been conceited instead of confident, their chances of getting into the NBA would lessen. Ego can easily get in the way of someone's ability to grow and work hard, especially in sports. Thinking highly of yourself is good for your confidence if it's true to your skillset. If this isn't the case, it will only push you further from your goal. Believing that you are already at your maximum potential and ignoring your mistakes means you think that there isn't any room for growth. While having an ego can get in the way of your growth, it can also prevent you from supporting others and seeing their accomplishments. It’s important to be a good sportsman because playing for your team is equally as helpful as playing for your benefit. If you are unable to see that the people around you are also skilled, then you will never be able to use their strategies to your advantage, while potentially causing tension between you and these people. Being conceited can fog your reality and blur the lines between reality and what your ego tells you. 

Everyone has voices that tell them they are really good or bad at something. However, the people who succeed and find happiness are the ones who listen to reality, and ignore what their ego is telling them. The ability to live life to the fullest is one of the most beautiful things in this world, so if you are able to, take advantage. You can still renovate your ways of thinking-it just takes time. Being able to distinguish the difference between confident and conceited is extremely important for your well being and allows you to become the best version of yourself.