Self Doubt. The Opposite Of Laughing At Your Own Jokes.
I image it’s normal. Self-Doubt.
It chokes my heart and jacks with my head. Self Doubt questions constrict and conflict me.
Am I smart enough?
Am I flexible enough?
Am I old fashioned?
Am I good looking enough?
Am I lazy?
Am I boring?
Does anyone really care?
Does any of this crap really work?
If some of this crap works, which crap is it?
When it works am I dumb-lucky or good?
Will it last?
Will it end?
Am I funny?
Do people like me?
Do I like myself?
Am I good enough?
I’ve learned to mask, subvert and most often, slay it.
Do you Self Doubt?
If you do, I’ll share 13 ways I slay Self-Doubt. But first, let me set my context.
Yesterday.
Today’s frantic pace of life is relentless.
I’ve been around along time. Fidy-2 years, 30 years in the RE biz.
In the old days, it was semi-peaceful. Imagine no iPhones. No eMail. No internet. No Facebook. No blogging or Tweeting. No rush, rush Fed/Ex. No computers. No cable TV. I don’t remember what we did with all our free time?
Today.
Today we run a frantic pace. Choices seem unlimited. Change and challenge is relentless.
This is the world we live in:
More Competitors.
Higher Expectations.
The Fast Eat The Slow.
More Sophistication.
More Knowledge.
More Uncertainties.
More Possibilities.
More opportunities to Self-Doubt my ability to realize my possibilities and opportunities.
Does an inner voice ever whisper sour Self-Doubts to you? Here’s 13 Ways I Slay-Self Doubt. This list isn’t perfect, foolproof or complete. I’m hoping you’ll leave what works for you in the comments – that’d be cool.
13 Ways To Slay Self Doubt
I begin by listening to my Self-Doubt self talk. I don’t ignore it or Self-Doubt myself for Self-Doubting. I don’t punish or berate myself. I know Self-Doubt is my normal, and my quirky friend.
- I’m learning you can’t make a Cat Bark.
- I’m learning I can’t control outcomes that involve other people, I can only control my actions.
- I’m learning that giving my best IS good enough. Some will, some won’t, so what. Next.
- I’m learning when I miss my mark, I can mope, blame and make excuses, or learn, adjust and redirect. If it’s important, I redirect.
- I’m learning Lincoln, “You can please some of the people all the time and you can please all the people some of the time, but you can’t please all the people all the time”.
- I’m learning to discern the difference between what’s sincerely important to me and what I’ve been conditioned to think “should” be important to me. I’m choosing “sincere”.
- I’m learning that some days are just crappy days. That’s life.
- I’m learning that performance, weather, seasons and life all ebb and flow like Costa Rican waves.
- I’m learning life is not a sprint and it’s never over until I quit. Sometimes it’s smart to quit.
- I’m learning that letting go means letting go, not sorta letting go or carrying it lightly.
- I’m learning to recognize haters and ignore them.
- I’m learning to enjoy The Now more.
- I’m learning that my self-worth is not determined by others, but by myself.
Bonus: I’m learning that my Self-Doubt can illuminate opportunities for improvement.
Hit Submit
I’m almost through writing this post. I’ll let it sit and simmer. I’ll tweak this and chop that.
Before I click SUBMIT, a shadow of Self-Doubt pauses my finger. I wonder is this post any good? Does anyone really care? Am I a good writer? Will this help anyone or is it just an exercise in delusional egoism?
I’ll give it another read. Tweak, delete, add, tweak.
It’s not my best, it’s not my worst, it’s good enough. I know it’s impossible to please everyone, so I’ll please myself.
I hit SUBMIT.
Wonder what I’ll write about next week? Will it be good enough….
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OK. As I said earlier, I can use all the help I can get. I’m certain, we’d all love to hear other ways to Slay Self Doubt. Care to share? What works for you? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Clink-Cheers. Thanks for reading.
