Before we proceed with the things we can do to overcome self-doubt, let us first define what self-doubt is.
According to Webster’s dictionary, self-doubt means a lack of faith in oneself, a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about one’s abilities, actions, etc.
From time to time, we really can’t avoid feeling uncertain about ourselves especially when we’re about to do something we’ve never done before.
I certainly have my own story of self-doubt both in my personal and work life.
When I became self-employed, I tried a lot of different things, started different projects, and developed different skills and I learned to embrace the fear of the unknown along the way.
Self-doubt may sound simple but it has a huge effect on our life.
If we are feeling uncertain about ourselves, it may rob us of many opportunities and possibilities because we are afraid.
Let me share with you the ways that have personally helped me to overcome my self-doubt and start to become more confident about myself.
1. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
If you want to eliminate your self-doubt, you need to stop comparing yourself to others.
Not only is comparison a thief of joy but it also highlights your limitations and not your possibilities.
When you’re a beginner writer, and if you compare yourself to someone who has been writing for 5 years, you might start questioning yourself whether you can make it or not.
The best way to go is to compare yourself to yourself.
Focus on your journey and only compare your current self to your old self.
Seeing your growth not only increases your motivation but also increases your confidence that you can do more and do better than before.
2. Don’t Worry Too Much About What Other People Think
Most of the time, we doubt ourselves because we’re worried about what people will think of us if we fail or if we didn’t do a good job.
But the truth is, others don’t really think much about us because they also have problems in their career, their relationship, or in life in general.
When you think about it, it takes a lot of pressure off you to do certain things because you’re not doing it with other people in mind.
If I worry about what other people think when I quit my job, when I become a freelancer, or when I start this blog, I wouldn’t do any of these major decisions that have changed my life for the better.
Remove the thought that you need to please other people. Have confidence in your abilities.
3. Talk to Someone About Self-Doubt
When we’re uncertain about ourselves, our capabilities, and our talents, it robs us of many opportunities that can open doors to greater things.
Don’t let your self-doubt stay in your head for too long.
Talk to a trusted friend or a family member about it and be open to their opinion because most of the time, they believe in you more than you believe in yourself.
There are so many times when I talk to my partner about my uncertainties and it always ends up me being more confident about myself.
I was being reminded of the wins and results I already have and even those things that I thought I found very difficult but I ended up doing it really well.
4. Write a Journal Daily
Journaling is a habit that I’ve been consistently doing since 2018 and I’m glad I started it because I can’t emphasize enough its positive effect in my life ever since.
Writing your thoughts down every day gives you clarity of your ideas, your emotions, and your progress.
When you become aware of your daily thoughts and actions, it’s easier for you to point out why you are having self-doubt and this allows you to do something about it.
It’s not an easy habit to do but when you try your best to do it consistently, you will be happy with the results.
5. Treat Failure as a Learning Opportunity
Failure is a vital ingredient to your success.
If you’re afraid to fail, then most likely you’ll never achieve real success in life.
I used to be afraid of failure too because I always love to do the right things the first time.
I even have a mantra which is “ If I have to do it, then I have to do it right “.
This kind of thinking never did me any good. Sometimes the reason why we’re afraid to try new things is that we’re scared to fail and failure increases our self-doubt.
But if you’re going to think about it, confidence comes from constant practice, and practice requires you to fail a lot of times before you get good at it.
So treat failure as an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to improve yourself.
6. Invest in Yourself
One of the best, if not the best way to overcome self-doubt and increase your self-confidence is to invest in yourself heavily.
I recommend reading books about mindset, psychology, human behavior, and personal development.
If you want to improve your skills, watch YouTube videos, listen to podcasts, and take classes and courses.
If you can’t afford paid information right now, there are a gazillion resources on the internet that you can use.
Do everything in your power to level up every area of your life because it’s one of the best ways to feel more positive about yourself.
7. Be Kind to Yourself
When we’re doubting our capabilities, it’s very easy to beat ourselves up and think about horrible things and stories that we connect to our identity.
But ask yourself, if a dear friend of yours comes to you with the same struggle, are you going to beat her up? Are you going to tell her negative things that would hurt her?
I’m sure you won’t. So why are you doing it to yourself?
Treat yourself like your own best friend. Be kind and be compassionate.
No one is born super confident so take it slowly and realize that it’s a process you need to go through.
