We all do it, we all have it. Somewhere deep down in use is self doubt and fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of making friends, fear of stepping out of our comfort zone. We all have different levels of fear and fear of different things. The same with self doubt. There are many reasons we doubt ourselves. Maybe it’s been driven into us by a parent, or we’ve overheard one too many comments about ourselves. Self doubt and fear interfere with our ability to achieve or set goals. Self doubt and fear are the voices in our head telling us, “You’ll never succeed, so why try?” and “who do you think you are?” Self doubt and fear are also what make us listen to those voices and decide to give up before we get started.
It Happens To Us All
While many people experience self doubt and fear at some point in their lives, they take action anyway. Others remain stuck, or are confident in only one area of their life, such as work. They are too afraid to try new things like going back to school, entering new relationships or learning new skills.
Missed Opportunities
When we let self doubt and fear rule our lives, we miss opportunities. We predict and believe that nothing good will happen to us, so we don’t try anything new, and refuse to take even low-level risks. This leads us to discount people or situations that could help us reach our goals. While self doubt and fear can come in different forms and from different sources, we can learn to break through them.
The Vicious Cycle
Many of us know what it’s like to live with self doubt and fear. As mentioned, we can have it drilled into us from a young age. For many of us, from the first time we step into school. For others, from much earlier. Parents and teachers can be the worst culprits and they have so much to answer for. Maybe it’s that someone like you, from your upbringing or background can never be successful. Perhaps it’s a parent telling you you’ll never amount to anything or comparing you to a sibling.
We hear it from all around us and when you hear it enough, it leads to self doubt and the fear of success. What could be, what should be, simply isn’t a possibility anymore because we are scared of taking a step out of the box we’ve been put in. Labels are perhaps the worst thing we get given. Maybe we haven’t come from money, or have had trouble with writing. Maybe a limitation on education leads to self doubt in your abilities. Everyone has a story and every situation is different.
The common denominator though, is that we can work through this with some top tips and self belief. We can in fact turn that self doubt into self belief. Furthermore, that fear can be turned into trust, or courage. We do not have to be defined by the labels people give us throughout life. Nor by the limitations people seem to think we have. We must stop comparing ourselves to other people. We are unique. Embrace that uniqueness and the opportunities it brings.
Top Techniques To Battle Back
If you need help overcoming feelings of self doubt and fear, please read these ten techniques and processes that have helped many people cope with this aspect of life.
- Make a list of your fears. Only by admitting that they exist can you seek solutions.
- Write down how these fears affect your life.
- Become aware of the voices in your head and write down those negative messages.
- Start building a support system of friends and eliminate people from your life who foster feelings of negativity.
- Join a support group of people who have similar issues.
- Change each negative message to one that is affirming and constructive.
- Read books that help you feel better about yourself.
- Be aware of your past, and be willing to let go of it.
- List your goals and the actions you need to achieve them.
- Take one of those actions every day. Each time you do something that brings you closer to achieving your goals you will feel better about yourself.
Finally, when fears and self doubt return and they will, break through them by using the tools and skills you can equip yourself with. In conclusion, trust in these techniques and yourself. You are an incredible person!
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