OVERCOMING SELF DOUBT: YOU GET THE FINAL SAY, NOT YOUR INNER CRITIC

Self-doubt can be crippling. When no one’s watching, when there’s no pressure of compensation or recognition, you get the job done easily and perfectly. No noise. Just you in your little corner doing what you know how to do best.

Then comes recognition for what you do. Compensation is offered for the value you hold. Suddenly, there’s palpitation. Your heart is racing. Your palms are sweaty. There’s a voice in your head blaring like a siren. It’s so loud you can barely think:

“I don’t think I can do it.”

“They might not like it.”

“The Client will get angry and call me out on social media, and my career will be ruined.”

Well, not trying at all and letting that voice get the best of you is ruining you and your career slowly and silently. It’s holding you captive and making you a prisoner of your own mind.

Self-doubt relegates your competence to the background; makes you feel weak and insufficient.

It makes you criticize yourself unkindly and badly than anyone else ever could. Sometimes, it leads to fear, and when you can’t fight that, your happiness slowly fades away.

Here’s the truth – Self-doubt feels real, but it’s not!

You don’t have to let it win.

HOW DO YOU SHUT OUT THAT LITTLE VOICE OF SELF-DOUBT?

You have to be intentional about shutting out the inner critic in your head. It’s not going to be easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but with consistent effort, you are on your way to breaking free.

>  IDENTIFY THE ROOT CAUSE

The thing is, self-doubt doesn’t just creep up on you. It originates from somewhere or something.

It might be an experience from the past. An encounter that left a taint on your confidence.

It could be something someone said to you. A harmless joke that left a sour taste in your mouth, and in turn, your confidence took a hit.

You probably failed once, and that failure stuck with you.

Whatever it may be, find it out, deal with it, and let it go.

That experience is not who you are. Let it go!

That person’s one-off perception doesn’t describe the existence of your being. Let it go!

> STOP THE COMPARISON GAME

Self-doubt sometimes arises from what you compare yourself to.

Comparison they often say is the thief of joy, and it’s one of the causes of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Comparing yourself to others is injustice to yourself. This is because no 2 journeys are the same, and we can’t all have the same arrival time.

The success you are comparing yourself to went through a process. The behind-the-scenes that you do not see. The tears, sweat, and blood that you are not aware of.

Focus on your own journey.

Go through the process to attain what you desire and give yourself time to bloom.

> FILL IN KNOWLEDGE GAPS

When it comes to your skillset and that voice begins to criticize you, take a step back and take time to retrospect.

Is there something I am not doing?

Is there a gap in my knowledge set that I need to fill?

Do I need to get a course to get better? Am I practicing enough?

Then, get to work immediately. Upskill. Take that course. Practice more. You learn by doing, and you get better with practice.

When you build your skills and get better at what you do, it strengthens your resolve to shut out that voice.

> SET SMALL AND SPECIFIC GOALS

When I say set small goals, I’m not saying you should limit yourself. Setting small goals helps you to not get easily overwhelmed. It breaks your task into simpler portions that you can get done easily.

Each time you are able to achieve these small tasks, celebrate yourself. Every win, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. This also builds up your confidence gradually.

> SPEAK TO SOMEONE YOU TRUST

Speaking to someone in a place of authority can give you a shift in perspective. They are able to see things from the outside and give you guidance, offer clarity, and remind you of your strength. Sometimes, you are too close to your doubts to see the truth.

Just make sure it’s the right person.

> AFFIRM YOURSELF

Practicing daily affirmations and speaking kindly to yourself will help you build your self-confidence. Constantly affirm yourself with positive words. Avoid negative self-talk.

Don’t say things to yourself you wouldn’t say to others. Validate yourself more often and don’t wait for others to do it for you.

You are better than you think you are. You are smart. You are a genius!

CONCLUSION: YOU HAVE THE FINAL SAY

You are in control of your mind, which means you have the final say on what you allow to push or lead you. Feed your mind with so much positivity that it silences the noise from your self-doubt.

Push that inner critic into the abyss of your mind. Silence it before it silences you. Silence it before it takes your dream and your true identity away. Shut it out, your dreams are waiting!

Have you ever experienced self-doubt? How did you overcome it?