Written by Andrew Murphy, Mindset Self-worth Coach
Dru Murphy is a certified mindset self-worth coach who has been helping people all over the globe change the way they see themselves and gain a deeper sense of self-worth and confidence for more than 5 years. His simple but effective coaching style is what makes clients comfortable enough to be open and trust him fully as their coach.
Welcome, everyone! My name is Dru Murphy. I am a certified ACT and CBT personal development coach. I specialize in helping entrepreneurs shift their mindset about their self-worth. Often, as business owners, entrepreneurs tend to view their success and see that as their value.
My job as their coach is to help them build on self-worth and confidence. I help them understand that their value comes from within and not to rely on outward validation, which often leads to a false sense of confidence.
Today, I want to dive into one of the biggest hidden obstacles entrepreneurs face: self-doubt. As an business owner myself, I know all too well how self-doubt can paralyze and stop us from moving forward in both our personal and professional lives.
Many business owners suffer from self-doubt and are stuck because they lack the tools needed to manage and overcome those limiting beliefs, they have about themselves despite how successful they are in their business. Also, many of them see their success as what gives them value without understanding it comes from within.
This session is designed to help you understand where self-doubt comes from, how to manage it, and, most importantly, how to move forward with confidence.
Story time: I would like to begin with a story. My story. Before I was even remotely the guy you see before you today, I had a false sense of security. I thought image was everything, and I remember when self-doubt had me paralyzed and so fearful to believe in myself that I didn’t even dare to try.
I had the negative self-talk record going on repeat and as loud as possible. I really believed that I was not meant to make it. I truly believed in failure. From childhood, I believed in all the limitations that were placed on me from everywhere and everyone but mostly myself. The more I looked around, the more I found evidence of my limiting belief being true. I was stuck.
I was listening to the broken record of doubt and limitations over and over so much that it ruled my life and was ruining my life and what I thought of myself. I remember how my relationships suffered, and instead of trying to repair them, the fear of trying kept me from moving forward. This went on for years, and of course, it took quite a while for me to realize that I am in control and the only thing that can stop this cycle and fix me is me. This ride was not fun, and I wanted a change, but I didn’t even know where to start.
After a series of serious life events and some real soul-searching, I finally decided to make a change and say to myself, “Enough is enough”. The work was not easy. DIW (deep inner work) felt ugly and scary. It was the most uncomfortable I've ever been. The fear of change almost made me want to go back to the old me. At that point, I realized that the old me was long gone, and the work had already begun. I knew then that there was no turning back, and I looked forward to a new beginning.
This was a process that took time, but now that I am on the other side of it all, I feel so much more motivated to fulfill my purpose and find joy and gratitude in what I do.
I love being this version of myself, and I know there is always room to grow. I have been there, so I know how it feels to allow self-doubt to take control. I know how real doubt can seem and how scary letting go of it can feel. That is why I do what I do, and that is why I am so passionate about helping people change their mindset and build on themselves to be the best version of themselves. This lecture/article will help you see and learn what changes you can make to get you where you want to go in life. Let's get started.
What You’ll Gain: By the end of this session, you will:
Understand the psychological roots of self-doubt
Learn to identify and manage personal triggers
Gain strategies to replace self-doubt with confidence
Develop an action plan to implement immediately
1. Understanding self-doubt
What is self-doubt? A natural psychological response that can become a major roadblock.
Self-doubt is a natural psychological response that arises when you question your own abilities, decisions, or worth. It can stem from past experiences, fear of failure, or external criticism.
Why do entrepreneurs experience self-doubt? The uncertainty of risk, fear of failure, and social comparison. Risk is scary. Failure is even more scary because we place far too much weight on it because we are trained to worry about what people will think.
The effects of self-doubt: Hesitation in decision-making, second-guessing opportunities, and decreased confidence in leadership. We become paralyzed and stuck in our head.
Key concepts: imposter syndrome, negative self-talk, and their impact on success. The feeling that you do not belong here will keep you from being here. Negative self-talk will always win when you allow limitations to dictate and guide your choices.
2. Identifying personal triggers
How early experiences shape self-perception. As I said in the introduction, I had a lot going against me from the start, and it influenced my thoughts and decisions about how I was and who I thought I would become.
Fear of failure vs. fear of success—both can cause self-doubt
Fear of failure: Stems from the worry of making mistakes, disappointing others, or facing negative consequences. It can lead to procrastination, perfectionism, or avoiding challenges altogether.
Fear of success: Involves anxiety about the responsibilities, expectations, or changes that come with achievement. People may unconsciously sabotage their progress because they fear pressure, jealousy, or losing their current identity.
Social media and competition: How comparison can harm confidence. If you are too busy comparing yourself to others, you can’t have a gratitude mindset, and you will lose sight of yourself and what is important to your personal growth.
Self-assessment: Recognizing personal patterns of self-doubt. Know the signs and triggers. Even if they are subtle, they can have real power if you allow them to go unchecked.
3. Strategies to overcome self-doubt
Mindset shifts:
Shift from a fixed to a growth mindset: Failure is feedback, not defeat.
Reframe challenges as opportunities to learn.
Practical techniques:
Use affirmations and visualization to reinforce positive beliefs.
Keep a journal to track progress and recognize growth.
Create a ‘wins’ list—documenting achievements builds confidence.
External support:
Mentors and peer groups: The value of learning from others.
Seeking professional help when needed (coaches, therapists).
4. Building confidence through action
4.1 Small wins create big momentum
Confidence isn’t built overnight. Every small step forward reinforces belief in yourself.
Example: Instead of waiting until you feel ‘ready,’ take a small action now—whether that’s launching a beta version, pitching an idea, or making a key hire.
4.2 The power of imperfect action
Many entrepreneurs get stuck waiting for perfection. Instead, focus on progress.
Real-world example: Say what you will about him, but Jeff Bezos launched Amazon with a minimal website—if he had waited for perfection, he may never have started.
4.3 Setting achievable goals and celebrating progress
Break goals into manageable steps and celebrate every milestone.
Use a tracking system (daily wins journal, accountability partner, or milestone chart).
Why celebrating progress matters: It rewires the brain to associate action with success, making confidence a habit.
These and all other principles of self-development take time, effort, and practice. Understanding that will allow you to give yourself grace and room for the process to take place.
As I always say, “This is a marathon, not a sprint,” so be kind to yourself and learn from your mistakes. As an entrepreneur, you may not get it right the first time, but resilience and discipline will keep you motivated. Remember to keep yourself accountable and focus on the journey while learning to love the process, not just the result. Keep this in mind when you start to struggle, and you will overcome your self-doubt more easily with time.
Read more from Andrew Murphy
Andrew Murphy, Mindset Self-worth Coach
Dru Murphy is a certified ACT/CBT mindset self-worth coach. He is the owner and founder of Level Up Coaching & Consulting.
He specializes in helping clients with developing a deeper sense of self-worth and a better understanding of who they are and want to become.
Dru's unique and effective coaching style is what sets him apart from other coaches.
Not only will he support and guide his clients along their personal development journey, but he will also hold them accountable and demand discipline.
