Week 2 - Wednesday
Releasing Self-Doubt
When you don’t apply for that promotion or take the next big leap.

Self-Doubt is: Thinking you can’t, so you don’t even try.
This isn’t the helpful kind of self-doubt…it’s much bigger.

Self-doubt that causes you to do things like take an inventory of your skills, prepare, practice, etc. is great because all of that improves your performance.

When your self-doubt shows up in the form of beliefs such as, “I could never do…” or “I’m not qualified enough…” then it negatively impacts your performance and life. Humans socialized as female are especially susceptible to this negative form of self-doubt, which is linked to Imposter Syndrome.

Silence it: Ask yourself higher quality questions.

When we’re stuck in self-doubt, we tend to focus on all the reasons we can’t, all the reasons we aren’t…basically all the negative things we “think” about yourselves.

Let’s give some equal air time to the positive because it’s not just equally true, it’s probably closer to the truth.

BETTER QUESTIONS
What are all the ways I AM qualified for this position?
What proof do I have that I am capable of doing this job?
Would a male with similar qualifications apply for this job?

Sometimes we forget about all the things we have accomplished or we diminish their value. We also tend to diminish the value of our experience, which is just as valuable as a degree or certificate.

Additionally, men will often apply for a job when they meet “most” of the qualifications and women tend to think they need to meet “all” of the qualifications. This is our socialization speaking. Women are socialized to “be good” and follow the rules; we aren’t taught to be bold, be brave and take risks.

Be bold and take a risk on YOU. Practice countering your negative self-talk with positive-self talk. If you’re going to make up a story about yourself, why not create one that supports you in going after your dreams?

Let me know what you think in the comments.
How have you let self-doubt hold you back?