By Kavya Sharma, Student, DAV College, Chandigarh
Self-doubt is a universal experience that can hinder personal growth and professional success. Be it you, the readers, or me who writes this blog, or be it any other person irrespective of their age, all are susceptible to experiencing self-doubt at least at some point during their lifetime.
It often creeps in as that nagging inner voice, such as “I am not enough”, “What if I fail?”, “I cannot do this”, “am I not lovable?”, etc., often making us doubtful of our abilities and potential, and often holding us back from reaching our true potential.
Self-doubt may stem from a number of reasons, such as having arrogant or narcissistic parents, repeated self-criticism, fear of judgment and past negative experiences, such as failure in the past. Sometimes it’s triggered by a bad grade, a job rejection, ignorance from or a comparison with others on social media.
But the good news is that self-doubt can be overcome, and we can learn to harness our inner strength to achieve remarkable things. In this blog, I elucidate upon some of the ways we can overcome self-doubt and stop criticising ourselves and our true potential.
Flip the Script:
Start by changing your inner voice. Instead of thinking, “What if I fail?” try thinking about “What if I succeed?” This subtle shift enables your brain to anticipate a positive outcome, rather than spiralling into negativity. Carefully notice yourself when your thoughts turn doubtful, acknowledge them, and reframe them in a way that empowers you.
Visualise
Your Success: Bollywood actors do it, athletes do it, and you can do it too. Visualisation is the art of mentally anticipating and rehearsing success before it happens. Close your eyes and picture yourself giving that perfect speech, acing the interview, or nailing the presentation.
It is a kind of manifestation, and people say that manifestations often work. Such visualizations help an individual remain calm in the stress provoking situations when things are not going as planned, or in critical situations such as going for an interview, or an examination, at the first day of school or at the first day of office, or at any challenge or hurdle that comes in the way. Visualisation prepares your brain for real-life action, reducing anxiety and boosting confidence.
Practice self-compassion
Self-doubt means that you’re holding yourself back. It arises from the fear of making a mistake, but mistakes are how we grow and improve our own abilities. Look at yourself in the mirror and say three positive affirmations at the beginning of every day. For example, “I am worthy of everything good”, “I can succeed if I work hard”, “I am proud of myself”, etc.
Surround Yourself with Positivity
Your environment matters a lot. If you’re constantly around people who tear you down or highlight your flaws, self-doubt will eventually overpower. Instead, surround yourself with encouragers – friends, mentors, supporters and spend your time with people who make you feel good, as they can build you up when you’re struggling to encourage yourself.
Start journaling
Make an effort to record your positive achievements each day. For instance, one thing you did well today, one compliment you received, a fear/challenge you overcame or a daily goal you might have accomplished. Over time, this journal becomes proof that you can trust yourself even on days when your mind says otherwise. It’s your personal track record of growth, and even small wins count. The more frequently you practice loving yourself, the easier it gets.
Seek professional help
It’s okay to ask for help, especially if self-doubt is a persistent obstacle that you’re facing and is constantly hindering you from accomplishing daily tasks. Talking about our feelings and insecurities allows us to unburden ourselves and be heard.
Conclusion
Self-doubt may never go away entirely, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. With the right mindset, a few daily habits, and a bit of courage, you can learn to trust yourself again and achieve everything you deserve and aim for. Remember, no one becomes confident overnight. It’s something you build, through repetition, through failure and success, through challenging the challenges and through showing up even when your voice shakes.