Hi Chris,
Would like your help with something I want to stop doing. How do I stop the self-doubt that gets in my way?
Signed,
Doubtful
~~~~~~~~~~
Oh doubtful, thank you for being a brave soul and asking the question vs. suffering in silence…like so many of us.
Yeah, yeah, I let self-doubt become a rock in my path, as so often happens with we “humans.”
You see, what you have not realized is that WE ALL face self doubt, on this journey we call a life experience.
Given this…you really can’t “stop” it. However, here’s a better approach when you face it.
USE self-doubt to “stop” being USED by self-doubt.
Let’s explore this being USED first.
When self-doubt uses us we become victims. Yeah, the “v-word.” We let the rug get pulled out from under us and it’s a struggle to take it back and tack it down.
Our sense of self-worth and value comes into question. We wonder what the hell we’re doing or even doing here. It stinks, quite frankly.
One of the most insidious things about self-doubt is that it can rear its ugly head at any time. Even when we feel on top of the world, it can sneak in like a mosquito through the smallest crack in a window.
And as small as it starts, it feeds on itself and grows. Of course, there are ways to swat that mosquito and end the buzzing. Have you ever noticed that we use swatters that are 10 times as big as the thing we’re swatting at?
Yeah, it takes that kind of power.
However, it IS within you. And that’s where we can USE self-doubt to our advantage.
How, you say?
First, remind yourself that YOU are the only one having this conversation in your head. That means you have the ULTIMATE control over this feeling of self-doubt.
Next, you have to move.
I mean, physically move.
You want to shake up the energy in your body so that you can access a fresh perspective. Walk around, do some jumping jacks, get up and go look outside for 5 minutes.
Move.
Once you get the blood flowing, you’ll be able to do this next and VERY important activity.
- If you’re a writer, write down what you’ve accomplished in the last 24 hours.
- If you’re a thinker, recall what you’ve accomplished in the last 24 hours.
- If you need to speak it, say out loud, into your phone recorder or to a trusted friend, what you’ve accomplished in the last 24 hours.
I’m using that window of time, because it will be fresh and easier to recall for you.
Ok…I can hear you saying…”Chris I didn’t accomplish much in the last 24 hours that will get me out of self-doubt!”
Phooey, I say.
- Did you wake up?
- Did you take a breath?
- Did you eat?
- Did you drink?
- Did you take care of your personal needs?
- Did you look into your own eyes and see that you’re alive?
- Did you think?
- Did you speak?
- Did you move?
Do you get it?
There are people who cannot do any or many of these things.
Also, doing ANY of these things means you can and probably did accomplish that much, and even more than you’re able to recall in this very moment.
Don’t take for granted that these “normal,” “everyday” activities can be a HUGE swatter effect on your self doubt.
They show you that you’re capable on many personal levels, which indicate you are capable of so much more…
Doubtful, don’t forget that we all go through self-doubt everyday.
If we USE it as an opportunity to REMEMBER our extraordinary capabilities, by just examining the last 24 hours, then we’ll know that self-doubt is just a tool, not something to “stop”!
You got this…and now you know how to USE it for your good!
~ Find the gift!
If you have a question, challenge or issue that you’d like me to respond to for this blog, simply email me. I will respond to as many as I can and you will remain anonymous.