"In order to succeed, people need a sense of self-efficacy, to struggle together with resilience to meet the inevitable obstacles and inequities of life"

Albert Bandura emphasizes the crucial role of self-efficacy in human success. Self-efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in their capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance achievements. It shapes how people approach challenges, setbacks, and opportunities in life. When individuals possess strong self-efficacy, they are more likely to view difficulties as tasks to be mastered, maintain intrinsic motivation, and recover from failures with greater determination.

However, Bandura underscores that self-efficacy alone is not sufficient. People must also unite and exhibit resilience when striving toward their goals. Life is inevitably filled with obstacles, inequalities, and setbacks; these are not exceptions but inherent aspects of the human experience. Facing these challenges requires more than personal confidence. It calls for a collaborative spirit, working together with others to pool strengths, share perspectives, and bolster morale. Resilience emerges from this shared effort, embodying the capacity to bounce back from adversity, adapt to shifting circumstances, and persevere despite repeated failures or external barriers.

Furthermore, Bandura alludes to the social realities of inequity. He acknowledges systemic forces, such as injustice, prejudice, or unequal access to resources, that create additional hurdles for many individuals. Those who confront such inequities must draw even deeper from their personal and collective resilience. The process of striving, struggling, and persisting alongside others who share similar experiences or ambitions creates solid bonds and mutual support networks, increasing the chances of overcoming limitations imposed by such inequities.

By intertwining self-efficacy and collective resilience, the path toward achievement is portrayed not as a solitary journey but as an ongoing, communal effort. Success demands a belief in one’s own abilities and the willingness to struggle persistently, while drawing from the collective strength and support of others to navigate and overcome the unavoidable challenges that life presents.