Are you struggling with self-doubt?

Self-doubt is something that all of us are familiar with. It happened when we were small children and continues as we are adults. It can be as simple as crossing the street going to a business meeting or a job interview.

The tricky part about self-doubt is that it usually appears when we decide to make a big change in our life or when we’re chasing after a dream. If you are experiencing self doubt in your life, you need to make a plan to face it head on. When it pays another visit, you will be prepared and able to take control of the situation.

“The temptation to quit and start over infects every creative process I've ever been in. Frustration and boredom always fuel this self-doubt.

Robert Lopez

Self-doubt can come from previous negative experiences or attachment style issues. People with insecure attachments may have experienced criticism during childhood and this can bring self-doubt later in life.

If you hear too many times that “you’re not good enough” you might start to believe it. When not addressed, self-doubt can easily lead to:

• Depression

• Anxiety levels increased

• Lack of motivation

• Low self-esteem

• Difficult to make decisions

So how can we overcome Self-Doubt?

1. Apply Self-Compassion

When self-doubt is keeping you from taking that leap into your career or into another part of your life, it is helpful to remember that we all experience it. We make mistakes along the way and there is nothing wrong with that. Mistakes are one of the best ways of learning and growing. We can reduce self-doubt by being kind to ourselves no matter what happens in the end.

“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.”

Suzy Kassem

2. Remember your successful moments

Do you remember the moments when you were scared to do something but in the end, it went well? It helps to think about our past achievements when something challenging became something great. Success is born from initial uncertainty or doubt.

3. Avoid comparing with others

If you are experiencing self-doubt because you think someone else can do something better than you, that can make you feel bad about yourself. We all have our journey and each one is different. We can only focus and control our own path and where we want to take it. What other people are thinking and doing should not be a concern.

“Believe in yourself, your abilities, and your potential. Never let self-doubt hold you captive. You are worthy of all that you dream of and hope for.”

Roy Bennett

4. Be careful with the thoughts you have

Not all thoughts need to make a nest in our heads. Negative thoughts can be very hard to recognize because we get accustomed to it. When you recognize these thoughts persisting, take a moment and relax.

5. Be surrounded by supportive people

People who believe in us and accept us for who we are, should always be close by. When feeling self-doubt, having these people in our lives is going to help the most. They will remind us how talented and special we are when we need to feel positive about ourselves.

“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”

Sylvia Plath

6. Know your core Values

When was the last time you took a moment to assess your values and what’s most important to you? It could be that you love freedom or that you want to contribute to meaningful things in your life. We need to be aware of our core values. What really matters is ignoring criticism or what others think about us.

7. Start a Journal

Having a journal is a therapeutic experience. When you write down your thoughts of self-doubt you are releasing tension. When you see your concerns written down, you can see that they might not be as detrimental as you thought they were. This will help you overcome self-doubt page by page.

In conclusion, these are some good tips that you might want to try when facing self-doubt. Take advantage of them starting today and see how these changes will make you feel about yourself.

“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.”

Napoleon Hill