Are you suffering from an incapacitating case of self-doubt?
You know, the kind that stops you dead in your tracks.
Is it holding you back from living the life of your dreams?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
How to deal with crushing self-doubt is a question best answered by improving the quality of your thoughts.
And refusing to listen to your inner critic.
Everyone, including high achievers, even famous celebrities, all suffer from self-doubt at some time or another
First of all, you know you have the skills and the experience to be successful.
Or you wouldn’t have taken the plunge to strike out on your own, right?
Look, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the choices there are in getting your message out to your target audience these days.
And it’s not hard to compare yourself with others in your niche who seem to be streets ahead of where you are right now.
And crushing it.
The trick is to take action before self-doubt has the opportunity to set in.
I know that’s easier said than done.
Especially if you’ve been second-guessing yourself most of your life.
Without even realising you’re doing it.
I have three tips that I hope can really help you eradicate your self-doubt and lead you towards action.
Tip #1: Conquer your critical inner voice
You must learn to conquer your critical inner voice before she pipes up and starts wailing like a banshee.
Many people think if they stop listening to their inner critic they will lose touch with their conscience.
But that’s simply not true.
Unlike a conscience, our critical inner voice is not a trustworthy moral compass.
The negative voice inside our head has no good intentions.
It’s degrading and punishing, telling us we’re not worthy, competent, or good.
And often it will lead us to make foolhardy, unhealthy decisions.
In order to take power over this destructive thought process, it’s vital to become conscious of what your inner voice is telling you.
So you can stop it from ruining your life.
Pay attention to when you suddenly slip into a low mood, become upset or start to experience feelings of uncertainty.
Because these negative shifts in emotion are a result of a critical inner voice.
Once you identify the thought process and pinpoint the negative actions it is enabling, you can take control over your inner voice.
Just by consciously deciding not to listen.
And instead take the actions that are in your best interest.
For many years I struggled with hormonal depression and self-doubt.
By practising self-awareness I managed to kick my inner critic to the kerb.
It can be done!
Tip #2: Develop an unshakeable belief in yourself
For some, this belief comes naturally.
For others, it has to be learned and can take years of practice.
It is important to become aware of your strengths, your limitations and the reality of your situation.
Some days you won’t believe in yourself, and that’s OK.
But if you can pinpoint where that temporary disbelief is rooted, you’ll be able to identify what is needed to move forward.
And moving forward relentlessly will ultimately lead you to success.
If there’s a lot of competition in your niche it is absolutely vital to keep abreast of changes and trends.
To be wise you should invest in yourself by committing to lifelong learning and personal development.
Tip #3: Stay focused on the bigger picture
Focus on what your business stands for and what you offer your customers.
Develop a brand that stands for something and says that you specialise in a particular field of work.
Keep it simple.
Don’t go offering too many services or products.
By specialising in something and doing it really well, you will increase your productivity.
And the value you provide to your customers.
In time you will become known and respected for what you do best.
And, as a result, your confidence will soar.
You will find it is easier to get customers and your business will be more profitable.
If you found this article interesting, here’s another you might like to check out: HOW TO SUCCEED AS A WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR