Written by: Kamini Wood, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Self-doubt can hold you back from reaching your goals and seizing the opportunities in your life. This persuasive inner voice that keeps telling you that you are not capable or skilled enough to accomplish your goals can hold you back in life and ruin your confidence.
Yes, self-doubt can sometimes be useful as it helps you recognize your limitations and obstacles. But mostly, it inhibits you from reaching success
Here are 7 impactful ways to overcome self-doubt and move forward in life.
1. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
The worst thing you can do for your confidence is to compare yourself to other people. If you compare yourself to others and their successes, especially those presented on social media, the self-doubt will almost certainly creep in. Instead, try thinking about your accomplishments, strengths, and assets. Repeat positive affirmations about your personality, abilities, and goals. This will increase your confidence and boost your self-image.
2. Keep a Gratitude Journal
When it comes to a lack of confidence, writing a gratitude journal can help you keep a realistic record of all your accomplishments. Besides, a journal can help you to remember the positive things in your life and feel grateful for all your blessings.
3. Don’t Judge Yourself
We often tend to be our harshest critics that feed the subconscious mind with the messages of unacceptance and self-doubt. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy strategies can help you recognize your negative thoughts and take effective steps toward their correction and replacement with positive affirmations for self-growth.
4. Help Others
A great way to overcome low self-esteem and self-doubt is to help other people. You can volunteer at your kids’ school, community center, or some of the local organizations. This can help redirect your dysfunctional thoughts and focus on other people’s needs instead. Also, the awareness that you are doing something altruistic will boost your self-appreciation and confidence.
5. Get an Optimism Boost
Spend a few minutes every day reading or listening to motivational and inspirational quotes. There is a great variety of motivational podcasts or books that can boost your optimism in only a few minutes. In addition, try to stay physically active. Regular physical exercise increases the level of the brain neurotransmitters known as “hormones of happiness”. This, in turn, increases the mood and helps you turn your self-doubt into optimism.
6. Engage in Happiness-Boosting Activities
Spend as much time as you can doing pleasurable things. This can be anything from reading a favorite book to spending time outdoors or hanging out with friends.
7. Celebrate Small Wins
No matter how small your successes may seem, celebrate each and every one of them. Take small steps in overcoming your self-doubt and your confidence will start to flourish. Small wins are motivating and inspiring – they allow you to track your progress and boost your confidence. Self-doubt is not always easy to overcome, but you can do it if you know the steps to take. Believe in yourself, love yourself, and focus on actions that will get you closer to your goals. The rest will follow.
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Kamini Wood, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kamini Wood is the founder and CEO of Live Joy Your Way and the AuthenticMe® RiseUp program. An international best-selling author Kamini is driven to support people of all ages to heal their relationship with themselves and to stop outsourcing their self-worth. As a result, her clients become their own confident, resilient self-leader with healthier relationships. Kamini is a certified life coach, board-certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, holds specialty certifications in Calling in the One®, Conscious Uncoupling®, NewMoney Story®, and teen life coaching. Also trained in conscious parenting, Kamini aims to meet her clients where they are, supporting and guiding them on their journey to where they want to be, both personally and professionally. Her mission: create space for each person to see the unique gifts they bring to this world.
