Overcome self-doubt in the three most effective ways!

How do you feel when you miss out on opportunities just because you doubted yourself? Miserable! right? Or when you wanted to do a certain task and lacked confidence? I can feel you. It is common no need to worry about it, I have got your back! There are three ways to combat this issue.

But before tackling this problem, it is better to know what it is and why it happens?

Self-doubt is when you degrade yourself and your abilities by self-criticism. For example, thinking/talking negatively about everything in yourself or hesitating to pursue dreams by underestimating yourself.

Causes: there can be multiple reasons behind this negative attitude:

•  Maybe because of some toxic relationships, as they push individuals down for their appearance, traits, and performance (they can be colleagues, classmates, and friends/family).
•  Peer/societal pressure demands everyone to always be a perfectionist who do not make mistakes. 
• This may also come from your own bad experiences, where you might have failed or were unsuccessful in something. 
• Fear of being left out can be the reason as well.

1. Self-love

Do exactly the opposite of what is happening to you. When you feel down about yourself, have healthy self-talk. Say positive affirmations e.g. I have my own identity! I can do this! I have the power to change this.

Furthermore, start understanding yourself, and befriend yourself. Learn to argue with your inner critic and value your being.  Most importantly, never expect outsiders to do these things for you, be your own hero. Take responsibility and then prove to yourself that you are enough.

2. Reflecting on the past achievements

Relying too much on the past can be detrimental but looking back on your achievements can help you regain your trust in yourself. 

Here self-reflection benefits you, you can think about a time you had succeeded in a task where you thought you would fail. Or a time when you were about to give up on something but did not. Also, you may recollect lessons that you have learnt from your mistakes. 
If you keep ignoring this, it will lead to imposter syndrome where despite being good at many things, you would still feel incompetent. 

3. Stop comparing yourself to others

Everyone has their own battle, demons and devils. They fight, fail and succeed. But you only see the successful part of it and start comparing yourself with them. You would not understand until you are in their shoes. Your abilities and qualities are different from theirs, you just need to embrace yourself!

Sometimes you can take inspiration from others but when you compare any aspect of thier life with yours, it devours all your positive energy.  For many, it can be a  paralysing experience. Believe me! This is the last thing you would do with yourself.

Self-doubt is common but ignoring it, would be unhealthy for you. Your surroundings and negative self-talk would result in self-doubt. However, you can regain the confidence in yourself and diminish it by loving yourself, reflecting on past accomplishments and by not comparing yourself with others.

Lastly, to push you further to combat this issue, presenting you the quote from American author and philanthropist Tony Robbins who says:
“I do not have to sit with fears, I just have to dance with them”