NATDA™ Magazine - July/August 2024 | Page 90

Recognizing self-doubt is critical in your journey toward achieving high-impact goals . It ’ s like the parking brake on a car ; you won ’ t get far if you don ’ t release it . Self-doubt can creep in , especially when you ’ re aiming for more high-impact achievements in your career or leadership roles . The good news ? Understanding this mental barrier is the first step in getting past it .
Here ’ s Why it matters in your Career and Leadership Self-doubt can really hold you back in your career , especially if you ’ re in leadership . When you doubt yourself , you hesitate to make decisions , and that can make you look less confident to your team . It ’ s like a domino effect – your team might start feeling unsure too , and that ’ s not good for anyone . Plus , doubting yourself means you might miss out on great opportunities because you ’ re too busy second-guessing . In a nutshell , selfdoubt can stop you and your team from really reaching your full potential and making the impact you desire .
Know that self-doubt isn ’ t insurmountable . Here are three highly effective techniques to deal with it :
Challenge Negative Thinking . Start by identifying and challenging your self-doubting thoughts . When a negative thought comes up , ask yourself if it ’ s really true . Often , these thoughts are based on fear rather than fact . Let me share a method I devised that can help .
The “ Catch It , Challenge It , Change It ” Method A great tool for overcoming self-doubt is the “ Catch It , Challenge It , Change It ” method I created . This practical approach empowers you to transform negative thinking into forward thinking for growth and confidence .
1 . Catch It : The first step is awareness . Catch yourself in the act of doubting . It ’ s like setting an internal alarm that goes off whenever self-doubt starts whispering . This recognition is critical because it ’ s the pathway to change . 2 . Challenge It : Now , engage with your doubt . Challenge its validity . Ask yourself , “ Is this really true ? Is this a universal truth , or is it just my perception ?” If it ’ s not a blanket truth applicable to everyone , why should it be true for you ? This step is about undermining the foundations of your self-doubt .
90 NATDA Magazine www . natda . org