“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – Suzy Kassem
Do you ever feel highly motivated and set some goals in that exact moment? But, before you start working towards them or even halfway towards them, you start hearing a lot of what-ifs?
Do you start questioning your ability and reevaluate what you think you are capable of achieving?
That is called self-doubt!
Self-doubt can feel like an overwhelming, debilitating and intense feeling of uncertainty. In some cases, it can hinder you from trying things you would have otherwise pursued.
We all have moments where we doubt ourselves, but how we deal with this self-doubt is very important. We have the power to shut down the doubt, but we are also capable of nurturing it and letting it blossom. The choice is ours.
When not addressed, self-doubt can result in:
- Procrastination
- Imposter syndrome
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Low self-esteem
Today, we are going to look at a few ways you can start to overcome self-doubt and move forward with more confidence.
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10 Ways to Overcome Self-Doubt
1. Daily Affirmations
Starting your day by reading out daily motivations to yourself is a great way to get yourself going.
It gives you the self-encouragement you need and helps you start your day on a more positive and confident note. Sticking positive affirmations on your mirrors is a great way to remind yourself to read them as you get ready in the morning.
2. Avoid Comparison
Theodore Roosevelt said, “comparison is the thief of joy”, and I could not agree with this statement more.
As we compare ourselves to others, we start noticing how much better than us everyone else is. This results in us feeling terrible and more in doubt about ourselves. Avoid comparison and appreciate where you are and what you have.
3. Look at Your Past Achievements
When you feel like you cannot achieve anything, always look back and reflect on your past achievements.
Those achievements serve as proof that you can do anything that you put your mind to. That success boosts your self-confidence and reduces self-doubt. Remember how you conquered certain things that seemed impossible in the past, and remind yourself that you can do it again.
4. Be Kind to Yourself
No matter how big or important the goal set in front of you is, remember to be kind to yourself.
You are human, and sometimes you make mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up about those mistakes. Rather, look at them as valuable life lessons.
5. Get to the Root
Just like with all problems, the best way to deal with them is from the root.
Spend some time digging up your past so that you can figure out when and why you started to have self-doubt. Sometimes you might need the help of a therapist to actually understand this.
You might realize that your self-doubt stems from the fact that you were raised by a narcissistic parent who made sure that you never feel like you are enough, not because you have never accomplished your goals.
6. Less Social Media
Social media has earned itself a top spot in contemporary society.
To most, it is the first thing they check in the morning and the last thing they look at before going to bed. We get so consumed by social media and we sometimes start to believe that it is real.
We forget that social media is a banner where people only show us what they want us to know about themselves. And usually, it is the best part of their lives. Because we are constantly seeing their successes, we end up feeling like we aren’t doing enough.
Limiting social media allows us to stay in the present and clear our heads without being distracted.
7. Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal means you will occasionally put your thoughts on paper.
As you do so, you get new insights and are able to view the situation from a different perspective. Sometimes, reading your thoughts out loud will help you realize that they are unjustified and in some cases, irrational.
A journal will also help you observe and keep track of your behavior, allowing you to detect any patterns or events that might trigger your self-doubt.
8. Talk to Someone
Self-doubt is an internal experience. It happens within you, so others around you can’t really see it unless you talk to them.
Talk to your trusted friends about how you feel and let them give you their opinions. This will help you understand the situation – and yourself from a different perspective.
Moreover, if your friends are anything like mine, they will remind you of how awesome you are and give you the boost that you need.
9. Let Go of the Past
How many times do you find yourself stuck in an embarrassing encounter or failure that happened years ago? We hold on to such memories and whenever we think about them, we doubt ourselves and lose motivation.
You need to master the art of letting go of the past and forgive yourself. Remember that your past experiences don’t own and define you or your present and your future.
10. Don’t Fear Failure
If you are afraid of failure, you will likely end up not trying anything, as that is the safest option to ensure that you never experience failure.
Well, the truth is that failure is part of life, and it helps us learn and grow. When in doubt, remind yourself that you have to try, and if you fail, you will get up and try again.
Here is the Next Step to Overcome Self-Doubt
Now that you’ve read all this information, you know exactly what you need to do to overcome self-doubt. The challenging part for most people is applying the knowledge they’ve acquired. I am also one of those people!
Take one day at a time and be kind to yourself. If you try these techniques and fail today, it’s okay, tomorrow you will try again.
At some point, we all have to deal with self-doubt. It is our responsibility to keep it under control and make sure that it does not escalate to something more destructive and crippling.
Surround yourself with supportive people who will help you get up when you’re down and keep you motivated. Consume positive and beneficial content on social media, and remember to start your day with a dose of Daily Motivation!
Updated from Jan 7, 2024
Photo by Anete Lusina
