With indecision covered, the next step is, how to overcome self-doubt. However, navigating through the topic of doubt is a bit tricky. This is one of those subjects that is just so complex to grasp and comprehend. Overcoming self-doubt is not an easy task because it requires immense mental and emotional power.
What to know
Doubt is that irritating but ever-so-present voice nagging at the back of your head that you are not good enough. When you listen to that demon questioning your conviction, you will surely lose your creativity, and the ability to become successful. It feeds off of our past experiences. Especially the experiences of failure, embarrassment, and heartbreak. Negative opinions and comments of those around us also contribute to our self-doubt.
But do not be mistaken in thinking that doubt is a disease that only plagues the less skilled, less privileged, or even the poor. There is no social class, no financial class, no intellectual class, no race or religion that is spared from this global pandemic. The greatest man and woman alive and dead had to deal with doubt just as you do. Since no one is immune to this disease, we must gain knowledge on how to overcome self-doubt.
“The greater the artist, the greater the doubt. Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize.”
― Robert Hughes
Find your limiting beliefs and challenge them
It is very crucial to know what limiting beliefs you have been keeping close to your heart. You must take time to perform a deep introspection of yourself and find the things within that keep you doubting yourself. Everyone needs to at least know who their enemy is before they can go up against them. But knowing who and what your enemy is, is not enough. If you do nothing with that knowledge then it’s worth nothing. The 4-hour Workweek book by Tim Ferris has a few challenges that will certainly put you out of your conform zone.
The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.
– Sylvia Plath
You have to face your limitations head-on because success and greatness usually lie on the other side of your limits. To acquire self-belief, you must first identify your limiting beliefs and challenge them constantly. How to overcome self-doubt greatly lies in your ability to believe in yourself and continuously reach new heights.
Learn the art of self-talk
I remember standing outside with a friend and some other ladies on one of the evenings in 2019 (I think, I don’t remember anymore). I remember one of the ladies asking us to try something. She asked us to count to ten in our heads, which all of us did like obedient slaves obeying their master. She then asked us to count to ten in our heads whilst singing a song aloud. Once again, we did it without hesitation. But to be honest, I felt like she was wasting my time with all these stupid and unnecessary tasks. But then she said something so interesting. She said, “Notice how you block your mind from thinking about anything when you talk out loud.”
Strength is how you shut down the voice in your head that says “I can’t”.
– Emma Xu
And there you have it, folks, just talking or singing will shut all the voices in your head. If you find your mind aimlessly wandering about, dragging negativity, and causing you anxiety, open your mouth and speak. Say anything, sing if you have to but do not allow your mind to indulge in negativity. Furthermore, positive thinking is a byproduct of positive self-talk. So, whenever you decide to talk to yourself, develop the habit of adding something positive. You have to become your own cheerleader and turn your inner critic into an inner champion.
Our words create our reality — and that includes both the words we say and the words we think. Identifying your limiting beliefs is the first step — now you must fight back against them. Changing your self-talk is a powerful way to turn self-doubt into self-confidence.
— Tony Robbins
Do not compare yourself to others
Comparison is one of the most intoxicating habits anyone can harbor. It is necrotizing fasciitis that eats away at the soul and spirit. You can only control your path and the things that you do every day to accomplish your goals. That is what should matter most. You can always learn from others, and use their work as inspiration to grow and become better. But never let their numbers and accomplishments minimize the work, effort, and time that you keep investing in yourself. Be persistent, resilient, and consistently chunk in that 1% improvement, every day. That is the only metric you should care about. Your value should come from within and not be measured against external factors. Let that 1% improvement daily be the only deciding factor on whether you are succeeding or not.
Don’t let others tell you what you can’t do. Don’t let the limitations of others limit your vision. If you can remove your self-doubt and believe in yourself, you can achieve what you never thought possible.”
― Roy T. Bennett
Surround yourself with supportive people
When you’re a little bit out of gas, and you are not capable of being your own cheerleader, you should turn to others. Turn to those who believe in you, to those who trust your abilities and think highly of you. Let them do the cheerleading on your behalf. Allow others to redraw the picture of yourself that seems to be fading away. But it does not necessarily have to be about encouragement, just be around people who think like you and engage in peaceful, uplifting, harmonic fellowship. That in itself has the power to lift anyone’s mood. Learn to perform peer evaluations and avoid the people who bring in negativity. Always choose positivity and support.
Be kind thyself
Lastly and most importantly, be kind to yourself. No one has ever and will ever be able to travail the journey of life without mistakes. Mistakes offer opportunities for us to learn and grow. We are the harshest critics of ourselves, and sometimes we forget that we are humans too. We also deserve kindness and compassion. So, practice the act of giving yourself the same kindness and compassion that you offer to friends and family. Get up and keep going even when the going is tough. Eat ice cream, draw, write poetry and have a good night’s sleep. Even the toughest and scariest of times will eventually pass.
Believe in yourself, your abilities and your own potential. Never let self-doubt hold you captive. You are worthy of all that you dream of and hope for.”
― Roy Bennett
Defeating doubt is not easy, and some might need professional help. However, I hope that these 5 tips on how to overcome self-doubt will be the beginning of great things. Continue to strive forwards, one step at a time and you will eventually make it.
