“Leaving Self-Doubt Where it Belongs”
Growing up I was an avid ball player. I pretty much ate, slept and breathed basketball. Every day there was a basketball in my hand. Up and down the street I went, bouncing that ball around working on different aspects of my game. I spent countless hours perfecting my craft. I pretty much slept with a basketball in my hands. I had dreams of becoming a hoop sensation. Some of my friends would laugh at that sentiment and I wouldn't blame them. When I dribbled the ball alone at home, I felt like an unstoppable force but when it was time to compete I often disappeared. Whether it was a pickup game at the park or high school tryouts, physically I was present but my effort was somewhere hiding in the bleachers. Ultimately I was stuck in my head worrying about how well I would do while being consumed with the possibility making of mistakes and looking uncool. I was quite frankly, a mess.
“The Folly of Self-Doubt”
Self-doubt reared its ugly head so many times in my life. I allowed it to derail so many of my early opportunities in life. It is no secret self-doubt has killed so many dreams and has prematurely squandered chances at truly getting what many want. I allowed my fear of what others thought of me to keep me out of my zone. Truly Immobilized by the pressure I put on myself, coupled with the feeling of not quite being good enough was enough to paralyze me. Not only did it stop me in sports, but it wreaked havoc in other areas of my life too. Things didn't change for me until I developed the courage to face my own limiting beliefs about myself head on. Maybe you can relate. Has self-doubt caused you not to speak up in a moment when you really had something to say? Or maybe you chose not to pursue a dream because you didn't think you were ready or good enough. Whatever the case may be, I encourage you today to leave self-doubt in the past right where it belongs.
"Your Own Worst Enemy"
Most of my life I thought the biggest threats and crimes were things that were outside of myself. Not once did I ever consider one of the biggest enemies in my life was actually myself. My failure to believe in myself was holding me back. Self-doubt holds many people hostage. The second-guessing of one's abilities leaves so many people standing on the outside looking in on their dreams. I believe there are people who could have impacted the World in a powerful way but didn’t because they allowed the voice in the back of their mind to convince them to stay on the sidelines. You are good enough. You are strong enough. You have what it takes to accomplish everything you desire in your life. Working through self-doubt isn’t easy at all but it's worth putting in the effort to overcome.
“The Take Away”
The road to dream fulfillment requires courage. There is a big amount of courage already on inside of you right now at this very moment that is waiting to be unleashed. Being able to move forward in spite of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty is what separates those who stand on the outside looking in and those who get what they want. Every single one of us will have moments where we will feel like we aren’t good enough at some point or another but it’s all about facing these feelings head-on. Don’t allow past failures and the fear of making mistakes stop you. Let go of the need to be perfect. You are perfectly imperfect. You are capable of learning, growing and becoming all that is necessary to achieve your deepest dreams. Look toward the future with great optimism. Next time you have something to say, say it. Even if your voice trembles with anxiety and fear, say what you must. Let your voice be heard. When the moment comes to seize an opportunity, seize it. Live your truth. Growth comes from facing our fears and living our truth. This is your moment, your time. May we all strive to leave self-doubt in the past, where it belongs.