SELF-EFFICACY AS A MANIFESTATION OF THE “TO BE OR TO SEEM” DILEMMA IN THE STRUCTURE OF PERSONAL FULFILLMENT

Abstract

The article examines the relationship between self-efficacy, sense-of-life orientations, self-attitude, and personal fulfillment in the aspect of the “to be or to seem” dilemma. It is emphasized that self-efficacy is a result of an internal struggle between genuine self-confidence (to be) and the desire to demonstrate this confidence to others (to seem), and this struggle is an important component of personal growth and selfrealization. A theoretical-empirical analysis of the relationship between these phenomena is presented. It has been established that a high subjective assessment of effectiveness is not always accompanied by a profound sense of fulfillment, that is, a real experience of harmony between the inner and outer world. It is indicated that an individual can “seem effective”, demonstrating socially desirable activity, responsibility, and competence, yet not feel their own fulfillment or recognize the true motives and goals of their own activities. It is underscored that this discrepancy between external effectiveness and the internal experience of the “I am” reflects the “actorly” dynamics of the modern individual, where the subject implements role models of success that are not always consistent with their true values. It has been established that the indicators of self-attitude and sense-of-life orientations represent the other pole of this dilemma, namely “to be”. It is stressed that their interaction creates the foundation for experiencing authenticity, which is the essence of personal fulfillment. The rationale for developing practical recommendations aimed at strengthening internal resources is substantiated. These recommendations are directed towards affirming the “to be” position in the individual by enhancing their sense of control and preserving creative energy under conditions of stress.