How to Overcome Self-Doubt Through Continuous Learning

I used to check with everyone in my life before I made a decision. This need for outside validation was rooted in self doubt. A self limiting belief that everyone else knew better than me. The problem with that way of thinking is that other people aren’t you! No one knows what is going to be best for you except you. Overcoming this reliance on external validation wasn’t easy, but it was transformative. Here’s what I did: 1. Recognize Your Achievements: I started by making a list of all the decisions I had made on my own that turned out well. This helped me see that I am capable and can trust my judgment. 2. Seek Self-Understanding: I invested time in understanding my values, goals, and preferences. This self-reflection helped me align my decisions with who I truly am, rather than what others expect of me. 3. Embrace Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: I learned to view mistakes not as failures, but as valuable lessons. This shift in perspective helped me to be less afraid of making decisions on my own. 4. Start Small: I began by making small decisions without seeking others’ opinions. Gradually, as my confidence grew, I tackled larger decisions. 5. Mindfulness and Intuition: I practiced mindfulness to stay connected with my inner voice. Trusting your gut is a crucial part of trusting yourself. 6. Limit the Influence of Others: While advice can be valuable, I learned to limit the number of people I consult. Too many opinions can cloud your judgment. 7. Celebrate Your Independence: Each time I made a decision on my own, I celebrated it. This reinforced the positive behavior and made me more comfortable with self-reliance. Remember, trusting yourself is a journey. Each step you take towards believing in your own judgment strengthens your independence and personal growth. The more you trust yourself, the more empowered you will feel to make decisions that are right for you.

One of the mosts common pain points I find #coaching #founders in #startups is self confidence. It never ceases to amaze me how some of the people I work with who graduate from the top schools, have worked in top companies and are building the technologies of tomorrow often suffer from a chronic doubt of belief in their own ability to get to where they want to go. So with that in mind, I want to share my top ten tools / tips on how you can begin to build your self confidence (SC), rest a little bit easier and really power ahead building your dreams: 1. Practice Self-Awareness: Keep a journal and reflect on moments of doubt. By confronting these emotions, you can challenge and overcome them.  Do this each morning for 5-10 minutes. 2. Develop a Role Model: Think of someone you admire, real or fictional, and ask yourself, "How would they handle this?" 3. Recognize Your Saboteurs: Identify mental blocks or negative self-talk patterns. By pinpointing them, you can actively work against them.  Ask 5 people who know you well, “What’s holding me back?” 4. Maintain a Trophy List: Create a list of your biggest wins. Regularly update and revisit this list of your achievements, big or small.  Whenever you’re feeling down, go back and read these.  Add compliments from emails, text messages and linkedin recommendations.  5. Prioritize Self-Care: A balanced routine involving proper nutrition, sleep, and exercise can dramatically elevate confidence.  Add mindfulness meditation to the mix which you can start by using the Honest Guys 5 minute meditation on YouTube or downloading apps like Calm or Headspace.  6. Embrace New Challenges: Step out of your comfort zone. Taking on and overcoming challenges can provide a significant confidence boost.  For an added bonus, share your challenges with others to force accountability.  7. Cultivate Focus: Concentrate on what genuinely matters. Visualize success in your endeavors to instill self-confidence.  Use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to learn what to do, delegate or delete! 8. Begin with Manageable Tasks: Start with smaller tasks and gradually tackle more complex ones. This incremental approach helps reinforce confidence. 9. Celebrate Small Wins: Every achievement, no matter its size, is a step forward. Recognize and celebrate them. 10. Reframe Failure as Growth: Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, view them as learning opportunities. Embracing this perspective fosters resilience and confidence. Every time something doesn't go your way ask "what did I learn from this?" To sum it up, self-confidence is a continuous journey, not a destination. It's a combination of past experiences, current beliefs, and future aspirations. It’s a vital ingredient for leadership, which, if you’re a founder, will be essential in your ability to lead and inspire teams.  Be True, Be Curious, Be Driven

A single seed of doubt can grow into a towering tree of fear. When we allow our deepest insecurities to shape our reality, especially in the workplace, it impacts our performance and the entire team dynamic. Negative self-fulfilling prophecies begin with a belief, perhaps one as simple as "I'm not good enough for this project." This belief influences our actions, leading to hesitance, procrastination, or even outright avoidance. The end result is a performance that falls short, not because we were incapable, but because we convinced ourselves we were. But here's the good news: just as we have the power to create these prophecies, we have the power to dismantle them. The first step is awareness. Recognise the negative narratives you tell yourself. I, too, have to remind myself every now and then that I'm caught in a negative loop. It's a human experience, but one we can manage and overcome. The second is to challenge them. Replace "I can't" with "I can learn." Instead of seeing feedback as criticism, view it as an opportunity for growth. Leaders play a vital role in this process. By creating an environment of openness and encouragement, where mistakes are not failures but opportunities for development, we can help our teams escape the cycle of negative self-fulfilling prophecies. This approach helps build a culture where every member feels valued, supported and capable of personal and professional growth. #GrowthMindset #PositiveCulture #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeamDynamics #Leadership

This is a very tough time for myself, and my little family. However. The difficulty isn’t going to get the results I need. So here is a reminder, (for myself & for others) to find the strength when your heart is exhausted. “Turning Negatives into Positives: Regaining Professional & Personal Momentum 💼✨ We all face setbacks in our careers, but it's how we handle them that truly defines our success. Here are the reminders I’ll share, in hopes that we will transform negatives into positives and reignite our momentum: 1. **Acknowledge and Reflect:** Start by acknowledging the negative experiences or setbacks. Take time to reflect on what went wrong and what you've learned from it. This self-awareness is crucial for growth. 2. **Shift Perspective:** Challenge yourself to see the situation from a different angle. Instead of dwelling on the failure, focus on the opportunities that can arise from it. What skills did you develop? What new doors might open? 3. **Set Clear Goals:** Define your desired outcome. Set clear, achievable goals that align with your long-term vision. Breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps will make them less daunting. 4. **Learn and Adapt:** Use the setback as a learning experience. Analyze what you could have done differently and apply those lessons moving forward. Adaptability & coachability is key to professional growth. 5. **Positive Self-Talk:** Train your mind to focus on the positive aspects of your journey. Replace self-doubt with affirmations that reinforce your abilities and potential. 6. **Seek Support:** Reach out to mentors, colleagues, or friends for guidance and encouragement. They can offer fresh perspectives and valuable advice to help you navigate challenges. 7. **Skill Enhancement:** Invest in continuous learning. Acquiring new skills not only boosts your confidence but also makes you a more versatile and valuable asset in your field. 8. **Network and Connect:** Attend industry events, seminars, and workshops to expand your network. Building relationships can lead to unexpected opportunities, friendship and collaborations. 9. **Celebrate Progress:** Acknowledge and celebrate even the smallest victories along the way. Each step forward, no matter how small, contributes to your overall progress.☀️☀️☀️ 10. **Stay Persistent:** Regaining positive momentum takes time. Stay persistent and committed to your goals, even when faced with obstacles. Your determination will eventually pay off.🙏 Remember, setbacks are a natural part of any career journey. Embrace them as opportunities for growth and transformation. 🔥🚀 #CareerGrowth #PositiveMomentum"