Being confident attracts potential partners, or does it?

Confidence defiantly helps in the initial approach, but otherwise shouldn't play much of a role once a relationship is established. So i wouldn't worry too much about your level of confidence, thats just a minor thing.
However I know how you feel with the whole mutual connections issue. Speaking from personal experience, maybe your standards are just too high. I know when I was in high school I thought I would end up with that super hot guy with the super hot body and that perfect bad-boy-but-cute-only-for-me personality. Frankly I was stupid. I just had to realize my standards were unattainable, actually they were nearly delusional! And once I realized that, i was able to find guys who liked me equally and from that, I was able to find the one guy whom i adore and who adores me equally.
I don't know. Maybe this your case swell, maybe not. That's for you to decide. Hope this helped.

Even in relationships, I feel like that - either I like them more, or they like me more. And it can change over time. Maybe there's just always going to be a difference there - it's only when they sort of match up, in the ballpark, is when you have a relationship. ?
I don't really know, but I don't think it's too abnormal to feel that way.

Assuming you're a man, confidence is very tied to your attraction. Approaching, maintaining eye contact, making jokes and getting physical—there's risks involved and it takes courage to take them. If you're not socially awkward, then just keep at what you've been doing.

For rejection, I wouldn't psychoanalyze too hard. Keep it skin deep. You probably aren't physically attractive enough, but with decent clothes, a good haircut and a low bodyfat %, any guy can do all right. Hit the gym.

Frank, yo