If you’re a regular listener, you know I’m all about helping people build a career or business they love. And while I do share strategies and approaches that address your career or business broadly, I go deep in the one area that I KNOW holds most of us back in some way. And that’s about overcoming self-doubt and building strong self-confidence. 

The reason I focus on this is because self-doubt is an issue that affects most of us at some point in our lives. In fact, research shows more than 85% of us contend with self-doubt. Some of us might experience self-doubt occasionally – like when we experience a big change like a new position or a promotion or whatever. But for many of us, self-doubt is our constant wing man. And when that happens, it can really do a number not only on your career or business potential, but on your self-esteem. Even if it’s only in a specific area right now, if it goes unaddressed, that self-doubt can creep into all areas of your life. 

That’s because our Inner Critic is INSIDE our head. So, the things it whispers to us feel TRUE. If you want to know a bit more about the ways to quiet your Inner Critic, check out episode #6 – Soothing your Inner Critic. 

When you listen to that episode, you’ll learn that silencing or banishing your Inner Critic isn’t really possible. In fact, it’s really best to try to understand your Inner Critic and soothe it a bit so it calms down. Because all it’s really trying to do it keep you safe. So you can’t banish it. Those neural pathways are already established. If you want to know more how THAT works, check out episode #25 on Thought Pathways. That’ll help you understand how recurring patterns of thought – in this case, your self-doubt – happen and how they get stronger and stronger through repetitive use.

But today I want to talk about Self Doubt from another perspective. And that is how you can Learn to Doubt Your Self Doubt. 

So, let’s dive in.

Most of contend with our Inner Critic at times. Usually when we try something new. Or experience a next level growth spurt. Or perhaps when we’re in a situation where we are thrust to the forefront in some way – like a speaking opportunity or a big meeting where we have a chance to share our ideas (or not). 

This is when self-doubt kicks in. And we find ourselves wondering:

What if I mess up?

What if they think my idea is dumb?

What if I’m wrong?

Who am I to [fill in the blank]?

And you know if you’re asking yourself those questions, it’s because your Inner Critic has started its monologue inside your head, saying things like:

You’re not smart enough.

You’re not talented enough.

You’re not GOOD enough.

So, what do you do? 

You stay silent. 

You DON’T try the new thing. 

Or speak up at the meeting. 

Or disagree with the opinion of others.

Or apply for the new job. 

Or whatever.

And then what happens? You stay right where you are. Playing small. Doing what you’ve always done but never discovering what you COULD be doing. Far too many of us sell ourselves short because we’ve convinced ourselves we don’t have what it takes to succeed.

The truth is self-doubt is the killer of dreams. Because it keeps you from ever attempting them. 

And if you let your Inner Critic stay in charge, the self-doubt will become the executioner of your self-belief. You’ll move from fear you might fail into a deep belief that you aren’t capable. And there’s nothing wor

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