Put your self-doubts into the passenger seat of your life
As introverts, we love to doubt ourselves. We are not the loudest ones in the room, and so we think we have nothing to show. Self-doubts are diminishing our light.
But let me tell you: your overthinking and your hunger for knowledge gave you important skills.
You just have to tell someone about them and express them.
Everyone has self-doubts.
Self-doubts are a survival mechanism from your brain: it wants to keep you safe at home. Eating candy in front of the TV is comfortable and not risky. But it’s also not fulfilling.
Why is your brain afraid of the outside world?
Because it’s uncertain, and you cannot prepare for it. It’s a threat.
The brain is overthinking and making up excuses and doubts to keep you inside your comfort zone.
- “I’m not good enough.”
- “They will laugh at me.”
- “I will look stupid.”
- “Let’s watch some fun TV instead.”
Those thoughts are not the truth. You don’t know what will happen. 98% of worries don’t happen.
This is all in your mind.
Which is a good thing because you can change it.
The negative, overthinking, and over-worrying brain is not you. It’s a part of you that you can change.
But instead of fighting it, we will put it in the passenger seat of life.
Because self-doubts will always be there, and you don’t want to fight your whole life.
Instead, you accept that part of you and put it in the passenger seat because you are taking over the wheel.
the best tool to slay self-doubt:
Have a badass success list
I found this tool in the book “Be Seen” by Jen Gottlieb, and it changed my life.
Our brain tends to remember the negative parts of our parts, and we are now making a list of positive moments to go against it.
Get yourself a pen and paper now. I’ll wait here for a moment.
Ready?
Write down every moment in which you were a badass and you achieved something!
- every time you felt like a badass
- every time you achieved something
- every time you did something not many others did
Go through every year of your life.
Take a few moments and remember!
My list includes:
- got my Bachelor’s degree
- organized a career fair
- became president of a student organization
- did my first workshop
- published my first newsletter
- went public on Instagram
and the list goes on…
Those are things I thought I would never do in my life. And now some are part of my comfort zone.
Now this list of success stories is for your dark moments.
When you feel like an imposter. When you feel like you didn’t achieve anything. When you feel like you know nothing.
But this is also for the important moments when you have to negotiate your salary or when you need extra motivation before giving a presentation.
I use this tool also as a positive list of work-related situations to be able to remember them at the yearly review meeting.
Documenting positive moments in general is a good idea, but at work, make a list of:
- every time you get a compliment for your work
- every time you achieve something
- every time you are proud of doing that
After a year, you will have a list of great moments you can show to your boss.
The badass list tool shouldn’t just include what success means to society’s standards, but what it means to you and when you had that feeling.
Which can include:
- getting a discount because you asked
- got out of your comfort zone and went somewhere alone
- you were kind to someone and they were really happy because of your help
- achieved something you thought was not possible
Think about those points for a moment!
For me, that list includes:
- going to networking events and speaking to amazing women
- traveling alone for a week
- asked around when I lost my headband
This list will give you the motivation and the courage to expand your comfort zone because you know you’ve done it before.
And you know you are a badass!
Conclusion
You will always doubt yourself, but you now have the tool to bring you back to reality and to put your inner critic on the passenger seat.
The badass list consists of the true successes of your life. Those are the truths.
Your self-doubts are based on lies to save you from uncertainty.
Remember the positive moments of your past, and let them help you have the courage for a better future!
What is part of your badass list?
I would love to hear it!
Get My Strategies For More Productivity
Get your free copy of my 7 tips
Get daily insights, motivation, and inspiration:
If you are as addicted as I am to reading books, then check out my list of favorite books!