4 Ways to Manage Self-Doubt

Hi Reader,

Hope all is well and you had a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

I just recently returned from a family vacation in Jamaica and definitely needed time to relax, reset, refocus and recharge so that I'm ready to execute in the second half of the calendar year.

Being honest, I've occasionally struggled with self-doubt at times over the past six months - questioning my abilities and potential as an entrepreneur. However, I've learned to take time out of my day to be intentional, mindful and focused on what's important. That way, when negative thoughts enter my mind, I can banish them before they cause me any harm.

Everyone doubts themselves at times. We all have our ups and downs—I get it! But sometimes we can be so hard on ourselves that we think we're not good enough, or that something is wrong with us. We can also doubt our abilities when we're taking a risk - big or small. The truth is, everyone has moments where they doubt themselves or feel like they need to improve in some way. It doesn't mean anything is wrong with you; it just means that you're human! The key is being aware of your thoughts so you can work through them and decide how you want to react.

If you find yourself doubting your abilities or feeling insecure, here are four ways you can manage it:

1. Identify what's making you feel doubtful.

It's important to understand what's causing you to feel doubtful or insecure. It might be a gap between where you are and where you want to be that has made you feel this way. It requires some soul searching and effort to do the inner work, but here are some things to consider:

Is your self-confidence lower than usual?
Is there something in your life that's causing you stress?
Has someone said something hurtful or insulting that causes you to feel self-doubt?
Have you lost confidence in your ability to do something and why?

2. Don't believe everything that comes out of your head.

We all have voices in our heads that can talk us out of pursuing our goals and dreams—but they don't have to win. Acknowledging the doubt is the first step toward dealing with it. Say to yourself, "I hear that voice in my head saying __________, but I'm not going to listen."

As you go about your day, keep this mantra in mind and be on the lookout for the negative thoughts. When you feel yourself feeling down or making excuses for why you can't or shouldn't do something, take a moment to acknowledge what's happening. Just because your mind tells you that something is impossible doesn't mean that it really is. The more you practice this, the stronger and more confident you'll feel!

3. Stop comparing yourself to others.

Comparing yourself to others is one of the easiest ways to feel insecure—and it's one of the most pointless, too. Every time you look at someone and think, "I can't do that," you're missing out on the opportunity to see how awesome you really are. You don't have to be like anyone else to be special in your own way. Also, while it's always nice to see what other people are doing or how they've done things differently than you, don't get discouraged by the fact that they've got a few steps on you! Let their accomplishments be an inspiration—not a comparison.

4. Let go of the need for perfection.

While perfectionism is a good thing in many ways, it's not realistic to expect to be perfect at everything. Perfectionism creates a lot of stress and anxiety when we fall short of our own expectations, so it's important to accept that everything won't be perfect and learn to focus instead on excellence. Excellence means doing your best and giving it everything you've got; it doesn't mean obsessing over every little detail and making sure everything is absolutely perfect, because that's unworkable. It means taking risks and learning from your mistakes. Additionally, excellence becomes possible even if there is some trial and error involved or if you're learning as you go along.

Always remember that you are not alone and that self-doubt is a normal human experience. But instead of letting those thoughts take over and make you feel like your abilities are limited, it's important to acknowledge them, learn how to manage them, and keep going! The best way to do this is by practicing the above steps until they start feeling easier and more natural for you. You'll be surprised how quickly those thoughts will start to fade away—and how much more confident you'll feel when they do!

Self- Reflection: What is one action you can take today to make sure you don't let your self-doubt or insecurities hold you back?

Be Blessed and Have a Fabulous Week!