Tricks On How To Stop Self-doubt That Actually Works

Everyone encounters self-doubt occasionally, yes, even successful people who we may perceive as virtually invincible. They too have moments when they question whether they are good enough and capable. However, self-doubt isn’t always negative; it can propel us into a zone where we strive to improve, work diligently, learn, and consequently grow. To dispel self-doubt, let me guide you through tips that will transform you.

Speaking of which, even before the idea for the blog emerged, I devoted most of my free time to learning and delving into the depths of psychology; it filled me daily and inspired me. And thus, the idea for this blog suddenly came into being. I remember hesitating for several months and grappling with my own doubts. Thoughts haunted me incessantly: What if people don’t like it? Why start a blog if I lack experience in writing and creating one? What will others think?

One day, I finally stepped into the ring with my doubts, bought a domain, and began my journey as a blogger. The most important point was that I didn’t expect perfection from myself. It’s still not perfect today, but it’s constantly receiving my care and improvements. I gave myself the opportunity to learn about the world of blogging, enhance my writing, and continuously craft new ideas.

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Why do some people doubt themselves more than others?

This question opens the door to exploring the origins and depths of self-doubt. There are many different reasons that can influence our level of self-confidence and beliefs about our own worth.

For instance, I recently came across a study that showed people who were exposed to positive support and encouragement in childhood are less prone to self-doubt in adulthood. Therefore, experiences acquired in childhood, such as constant criticism, ostracism, excessive expectations, and lack of support, can create low self-esteem and consequently self-doubt in a child.

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There are other factors that lead to increased self-doubt:

• Past experiences: Some cling to their past failures and setbacks, thus repeatedly doubting themselves.
• Fear of failure: This is why some people doubt their abilities and new opportunities.
• Social expectations and comparisons with others: These can create feelings of inadequacy and inferiority.
• Setting unrealistic expectations for oneself and expecting perfection in everything.
• A strong and loud inner critic that constantly condemns and criticizes.
• Life changes or uncertainty about the future can create feelings of self-doubt.

Self-doubt hampers our ability to make important decisions in life. It’s entirely appropriate to weigh decisions carefully, but letting doubt deter us from pursuing our dreams and believing in ourselves is the greatest pitfall.

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How to stop self-doubt and finally start succeeding

1. Accept self-doubt as part of yourself

Accept doubt as a part of the human experience. When you find yourself in moments of uncertainty or doubt, it’s important to allow yourself to embrace these feelings as entirely normal and natural. As Japanese wisdom states: “Even a tree firmly rooted in the ground sways slightly in the wind.” Similar to a tree adapting to its surroundings, we must also adapt to our internal fluctuations and doubts.

By accepting doubt as part of nature, you’ll free yourself from the pressure of perfection. You’re only human, mistakes will happen, and doubts will arise; it’s up to you how you react.

2. Everything has its process

When aiming to achieve a specific goal, you must accept that everything has its process. Often, I hear from adults: “I’m too old to achieve this” or “I’ll never be as good as [role model].” You can accomplish anything, you just need to believe and allow room for development and growth. Perhaps you want to become a skilled guitarist like Slash from Guns N’ Roses; he, too, practiced and learned extensively for such success. Anything is possible, regardless of age, you just have to believe in yourself.

Therefore, challenge your doubts. Ask yourself: “What if it’s not as I think?” Or: “What if my truth is different from what I’m feeling now?”

For example: How can you say you’re not capable of becoming a runner if you’ve never tried running? How can you say you can’t succeed at this? Such doubts often echo in our minds: that we’re not capable or that we’re not like others. These doubts stem from fear, perhaps fear of failure or fear of significant life changes if you were to become a runner.

3. Name your inner voice

Another method to help you stop doubting yourself. Sometimes, self-doubt can completely paralyze us. There’s one simple trick: give your doubt a name. Yes, you heard it right! Give it a name that you’ll use to distinguish it from your true identity. For example, you can call it “Panic [Name] ” or “Insecure [Name] “

By naming it, you’ll become more aware of when and how doubt arises. You can consciously shift your focus away from this doubt. You might even decide to write it a letter clearly stating that you won’t allow it to lead you anymore. “Dear Panicky [Name], it’s time for you to leave me, as I’m ready to step out of my comfort zone.” It might sound a bit silly, but this way, you’ll find it easier to take control of your thoughts and build greater self-confidence.

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4. Establish a clear WHY?

Give more weight to your mission than to your fear. Why would you choose to speak up, despite the risk of rocking the boat? And Why would you dare to jeopardize your reputation? Why would you venture into the uncertainty of your dreams? When you clearly establish your “Why,” you’ll also find the strength to confront your doubts and risk failure.

It’s crucial to find a clear and compelling answer to the question “What makes me brave enough to move forward?” This answer will help fortify your determination because you’re aware that if you allow doubts to hinder you, you risk someday regretting asking yourself, “What if I had tried?”

5. Surround yourself with believers

To stop doubting yourself, a great way is to surround yourself with people who believe in you and in themselves. Believing in you, they’ll be great role models, sharing experiences when doubt didn’t prevail. Additionally, having people who believe in you, having a “cheerleader” by your side, can make decision-making much easier.

6. Overcome the fear of failure

Walt Disney: Before creating the Disney empire, Walt Disney faced numerous failures and rejections. Some even labeled him as “uncreative.” Nevertheless, he persisted and eventually created one of the largest amusement parks in the world.

J.K. Rowling: The author of Harry Potter experienced many failures before her book became a global success. She was unemployed, divorced, and with a child, yet she continued writing and eventually became one of the most famous authors in the world.

Michael Jordan: Before becoming one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan experienced many failures. In high school, he wasn’t selected for the basketball team, but he persisted and eventually became a sports icon.

Steven Spielberg: Before creating some of the greatest films of all time, Spielberg was rejected from film schools and not taken seriously as a director. Nevertheless, he continued working and became one of the most influential directors in history.

These examples are incredible, aren’t they? However, if they hadn’t persisted and overcome all self-doubt, they surely wouldn’t have achieved victory. Often, we’re inclined to give up after initial failure because doubts and inevitable self-criticism arise. Overcoming the fear of failure is crucial to ceasing self-doubt.

When we realize that failures are part of the process and even the greatest successful individuals experience setbacks, it encourages us to persevere. As Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” It’s important to allow ourselves to try and learn from every failure as it’s the path to growth and success.

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7. Practice self-compassion

Why is it crucial to cultivate self-compassion as a solution to stop doubting yourself? Because self-compassion paves the way for inner peace, self-esteem, and acceptance. When we consciously choose to treat ourselves with kindness and understanding, we begin to build solid foundations for a more positive self-image. Accepting our mistakes and shortcomings without judgment frees us from the grip of self-criticism, which leads to doubt and uncertainty. How can we practice self-compassion daily?

There are several psychological and therapeutic exercises

“Loving Friend” method: Imagine you’re the friend of your best friend. How would you talk to this friend if you were in a similar situation as yourself? Use the same tone of speech and encouragement you would use towards them and apply it to yourself.

Written self-love expression: Take the time to write a letter to yourself, praising your achievements, reminding yourself of your strengths, and expressing your love and compassion for yourself. You can also do this in the form of journaling, where you write down positive experiences and thoughts.

Compassion visualization: During meditation, visualize someone you deeply love approaching you and expressing their compassion, love, and support. Then imagine yourself accepting these feelings and applying them to yourself.

Solo-positive rituals: Take a few minutes every day to engage in positive rituals, such as breathing exercises, yoga, a nature walk, or listening to soothing music. This will strengthen your inner power and confidence.

Self-recognition: Every evening before bed, ask yourself, “What did I do today that deserves recognition?” and then give yourself praise or compliments for the achievements or positive qualities you displayed that day.

Self-observation practice: Take time for self-reflection and observe your feelings, thoughts, and reactions in different situations. Be curious and compassionate about your own experiences without judging or criticizing them.

Performing small acts of self-love: Every day, indulge in small acts that show love for yourself. You can take a relaxing bath, prepare yourself a delicious meal, read your favorite book, or go for a walk in nature.

Self-encouragement practice: Set up encouraging thoughts and statements in your mind that help you overcome self-doubt. For example, you can say to yourself “I believe in you” or “You can do this” when you find yourself in challenging situations.

8. Stop comparing yourself to others

So why is it so hard to let go of comparing ourselves to others? Perhaps it’s because we want to assess whether we’re on the right track or how well we’re doing compared to others. However, when we engage in this, we can quickly fall into the trap of useless and often harmful feelings of inferiority.

I know it’s very easy to get caught up in the perfection we see on social media today. We see shiny pictures and achievements of others, which can push us into feeling somehow less worthy or lagging behind. But the truth is, these pictures are just a small fraction of reality. They may capture a perfect moment on camera, but they don’t encompass all the moments when they, too, face difficulties, doubts, and uncertainties.

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In fact, if you take a closer look, you’ll notice that you also have your unique strengths, talents, and achievements that others may not see or appreciate. Perhaps you have an incredible ability for compassion or you’re exceptionally creative in a way that’s entirely different from what you see in others. These are the parts of you that make your journey unique and worth living.

And as you start to appreciate your own potentials more, comparisons with others gradually fade away. Instead of focusing on how well others are doing, you start focusing on your own goals, desires, and ambitions.

When you allow yourself to be authentic and follow your unique needs and goals, you’ll begin to discover that you’re actually capable of more than you ever imagined. And when you focus on your own path, you no longer need to worry about how you compare to others. That’s the path to true freedom and fulfillment. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”