No one can confidently claim that they have completely overcome self-doubt. It affects everyone, especially when we face unfamiliar situations or challenges. The "I cannot" mentality, fueled by fear, sends shivers down our spines and waters down our self-confidence, causing us to shrink back to our old selves. During moments like this, words of affirmation don't seem to help, nor do motivational speakers' punchlines such as, "Do it while afraid," "Do it while in doubt," "Do it with sweaty palms and a shaky voice," and "Do it even when your heart races." However, not everyone has such balls or confidence. During times of self-doubt, we sometimes may need external support that might come in the form of a pat on the back, cheers from loved ones, and strong moral encouragement, to overcome the overwhelming feeling of self-doubt.
If you were to ask me whether I have ever doubted myself, I would say a million times yes. I have faced self-doubt countless times, and recently, I experienced another episode.
I have wanted to start a particular project for a long time, but I often made excuses for not doing it because I doubted my ability to succeed and worried about what others might think - their views, perceptions, and acceptances. I would tell myself, "The idea might not be as brilliant as I thought."
This
cycle of self-sabotage continued until I received a message from a friend. She praised my work, expressed her admiration for me, and asked if I could help her too. Instantly, I felt empowered and motivated after reading her message. I couldn't contain my excitement and immediately channeled that energy into starting the project.
This incident gave me an epiphany, while we may often doubt ourselves, some people believe in us even more than we do. Some see us as winning in the game of life, and some are inspired by our lives without our knowledge.
So, when self-doubt tries to knock you down, remember these points and rise back up with confidence. I must add, the decision to take actions or take charge despite doubting oneself doesn’t mean that you've finally overcome self-doubt but staying resolute even after seeing the outcomes of "doing it afraid" because the result might not be what you've envisaged.
The picture is mine!