Stop limiting yourself. Here’s how you can use self-doubt to your advantage. Please read, comment and share.
Why do many brilliant people give up opportunities to display their innate skills and capabilities? Why do we often pass on the chance to break new ground and reach new heights at work or business? Is it normal that we often undermine ourselves and underrate our potential? If you are prone to self-doubt, you may already have an answer to these questions. But please read on to understand why.
Shocking ways skilled people limit themselves.
Years ago, I was an operations staff in a banking organization. I worked in many Operations units and loved the job. So, I dreaded the prospect of a transfer to the marketing department.
I had doubts about my ability to succeed as a marketer. The idea of running after customers in their offices or business places to have them do business with the bank scared me. Besides, the bank usually assigns quarterly performance targets to its marketers. I wasn’t sure I could handle the pressure our markets go through to meet their targets.
Our marketers were outgoing and friendly people who easily connected with others. They had a natural ability to make friends and strike up conversations. So, they know how to convince customers to do business with the bank. Also, they had a wide range of contacts and could attract new businesses.
The above qualities made it easy for our marketers to survive the pressure from our target-driven bosses. But, I didn’t see myself in the league of these marketers.
I was doubtful about my ability to perform well in marketing.
As an introvert, I preferred sitting in the banking office and doing my daily beat. But while doing my best and feeling relaxed about my ideal job function, I met many high-net-worth customers. As a result, I solved many customer problems and endeared myself to them too.
I was skilled and capable, yet I undermined myself.
I had a network of happy customers who trusted me, looked up to me for advice, and relied on me for efficient services. Daily, I referred many of these loyal customers to the marketers. And the customers contributed towards helping our marketers meet their performance targets.
Considering my office activities, I had the skill, experience and contacts to do well as a marketer. So why was I scared of a posting to the marketing department?
The problem is self-doubt, insecurity and a lack of confidence in my abilities.
Self-doubt: A product of your fears and lack of confidence.
The Oxford Dictionary defines self-doubt as a “lack of confidence in oneself and one’s abilities.” Psychologists say the lack of confidence or self-belief is not unusual in human beings. But they also say pervasive feelings of self-doubt may be harmful to one’s career. For example, it may lead to impostor syndrome: a feeling that you are a fraud despite evidence that you are skilled and successful.
Many people are accustomed to doubting their capabilities or need to be more confident about tasks. Whether in business, personal relationships, or other daily activities, we often give up even before trying.
My daughter gets nightmares before any mathematics exams. “Dad, I can’t do it; it’s difficult; I don’t understand it; I’m not sure I will pass it,’ are her usual reframe. Yet, every time she manages to calm down and take the examination, she gets better grades than the ones she claims to know.
Despite denials, we are all victims of occasional self-doubt.
A common approach for overcoming self-doubt.
Psychologists have suggested some standard practices for overcoming self-doubt. One such practice recommends identifying the source of your self-doubt and tackling it. But how often have we also heard that facing our fears or doubts will help boost our confidence?
I have neither medical proof nor scientific evidence to counter the above suggestions. But, as someone always looking to advance my career, I use an approach which turns my self-doubt into a career-enhancing opportunity.
The problem with focusing on the source of your self-doubt.
I always encounter problems facing the source of my self-doubt and tackling it. Many people experience similar issues too. Because self-doubt is often a product of fears, when I duel so much on the source, I dissipate positive energy looking for solutions. My anxiety also increases because failure to find answers worsens my situation.
Turning self-doubt into a career-enhancing opportunity
I usually adopt a simple approach to turning self-doubt into a career-enhancing opportunity.
Rather than dwelling on the source of my fears and doubts, I instead focus on finding an alternative source of positive energy. The alternative is one that usually replaces my fear with hope and desire.
For instance, suppose you feel insecure about marketing, as I was in my former job. Then, see yourself as a skilled marketer who meets sales goals and earns recognition. Once I can focus on this desired position, I get a feeling of purpose, a surge of energy, and the desire to succeed. By focusing on my new goal, I can avoid being overwhelmed by my fears.
A positive mindset also drives me to do what it takes to achieve my desired position. Focusing on why I prefer non-marketing roles drains and heightens my worry about failing to meet my goals.
In my daughter’s case, it may seem necessary to identify the source of her fear of mathematics. But it would only lead to passing each mathematics examination. However, the fear would return whenever she faced a mathematics examination.
By seeing a positive side to her self-doubt, like achieving her life ambition of becoming a Doctor, she could develop a liking for mathematics, knowing that it could stop her from achieving her goal.
In tackling the source of her fears, passing each mathematics examination becomes a chance event which will not end her worries. Thus, dwelling only on the positive side of your self-doubt is career-enhancing.
Conclusion
I adopt this approach every time I experience a feeling of self-doubt. It has worked for me more than all the suggested means of tackling self-doubt. So try it when next you experience a chronic sense of self-doubt. It may be the driving force that helps you break new ground in your career.
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