How to Overcome Self-Doubt and Pursue Ambitious Goals

Throughout my flying career, I was surrounded by the greatest fighter pilots in the world. I felt privileged to learn and fly with them, but I often felt out of my element. As I joined these high performing teams, my inner critic regularly told me I wasn't good enough, which made me hesitate and second-guess how I showed up. Luckily, I learned that self-doubt wasn't a reflection of my potential, but an emotion to acknowledge. Here's what I discovered along the way: 💡 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 - an internal narrative. Once you learn to recognize and challenge these thoughts, you open doors to new possibilities. You'll find yourself taking on challenges you previously thought impossible, leading to: • Increased confidence • Career advancement • A sense of fulfillment 💡 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝘀𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹. Start by keeping a thought journal for a week: • Write down any negative self-talk you notice. • Look for patterns like "I'm not good enough" or "I'll probably fail." • Challenge these thoughts by looking at the evidence. Often, you'll find these beliefs aren't based on facts. 💡 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵. When faced with a challenging task, instead of thinking, "I can't do this," try, "This is a chance to learn something new." • Set small, achievable goals related to the challenge. • Acknowledge small victories. • Seek feedback from trusted colleagues and mentors to gain new perspectives. Remember, just like I learned to trust my abilities in the cockpit, you too can overcome self-doubt. It's a journey, but with each step, you're building the confidence. << What advice would you give for someone dealing with crippling self-doubt? >> ------------------------ Hi, I'm Michelle. I'm a former fighter pilot turned speaker, author, and coach. If you found this helpful, consider reposting ♻️ and follow me for more content like this.

Is that critical inner voice sabotaging your confidence? Here's your 3-step battle plan to silence it for good. Recently I witnessed a remarkable transformation at UC Berkeley School of Information. Graduate students who entered my public speaking workshop trembling with anxiety left confidently presenting their ideas. No magic involved. Just structured approaches, peer support, and breaking down intimidating challenges into manageable steps. Self-doubt can turn ordinary tasks into overwhelming obstacles. After a journey conquering my own inner critic (and helping clients do the same), I've identified 3 game-changing techniques to build up self-trust: 1) Recognize Your Inner Parts (Internal Family Systems) Your mind isn't one unified voice—it's a committee of different parts! That harsh critic? Just one member trying to protect you in its misguided way. When self-doubt strikes, pause and ask: "Which part is speaking right now?" Is it your perfectionist afraid of failure? Your overachiever terrified of looking incompetent? Don't fight these parts—acknowledge them: "I see you're trying to protect me, but right now I need to trust my capabilities. I've prepared for this." 2) Reframe Imposter Syndrome as Growth Energy Did you know up to 82% of professionals experience imposter syndrome? It's especially prevalent in tech where we're constantly navigating uncharted territory. But what if that uncomfortable feeling isn't a problem to solve? Try this perspective shift: - That discomfort signals you're stretching into new growth territory - Channel the nervous energy into preparation, not paralysis - View each learning curve as evidence of growth, not failure 3) Apply the "Let Them" Theory Mel Robbins' approach is brilliantly simple: Let people think what they want. Let them react however they choose. Let them misunderstand you. You can't control others' perceptions, but you absolutely control how you show up. Ask yourself: "What weather am I bringing today?" Replace every spiral that begins with "What if they think I'm not good enough?" with "Let me": - Let me trust I'm contributing my best - Let me decide I'm enough, regardless of external validation - Let me focus exclusively on what I can control You don't need permission to lead or perfection to add value. Everything you need is already within you - you just need to trust yourself to use it. Next time self-doubt creeps in, identify which inner voice is speaking, recognize that discomfort signals growth, and focus on what you control rather than others' opinions. What technique will you try first? Share in the comments! #SelfConfidence #LeadershipDevelopment #ImpostorSyndrome

How I overcame my self-doubt without comparing myself to others: Step 1: Reframe my mindset about challenges. • View every challenge as a growth opportunity. • Understand that if it’s humanly possible, it’s achievable for me too. • Shift from “Why is this so hard for me?” to “How can I learn to master this?” The Payoff: Greater resilience and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Step 2: Learn from those who’ve done it before. • Look up to role models who have overcome similar obstacles. • Use their stories as blueprints for your own journey. • Remind yourself that if they can, so can you. The Payoff: Inspiration and practical strategies to overcome challenges. Step 3: Take daily action towards mastery. • Set small, achievable goals every day. • Consistently work on your skills, even when it feels tough. • Trust in the process of gradual improvement. The Payoff: Steady progress and growing confidence in your abilities. What’s one thing you’ve always thought was out of reach, but now see as possible?

You know that little voice of self-doubt that tells you you aren’t good enough? The one that clouds your mind with negativity? We all have one — and it’s up to us to take control of it... This week, #TakeBackYourMonday, with these three tips to help you quiet the whispers and kickstart your week with confidence. 🚀 1. 🔇 Identify and Challenge Negative Thoughts: The first step to quieting the whispers is recognizing them. Take a moment each morning to jot down any negative thoughts you have about yourself. Ask yourself: Are these thoughts true? Challenge them with evidence of your strengths and past successes. Remember, you are more than your doubts! 2. 🌱 Practice Positive Affirmations: Replace those whispers with a chorus of positivity! Create a list of affirmations that resonate with you, like "I am capable and strong," or "I am constantly growing and improving." Repeat them daily, especially when you catch yourself falling into negative self-talk. Watch as these affirmations become your new internal dialogue. 3. 🎯 Set Micro-Goals and Celebrate Wins: Silence the whispers by proving them wrong with action! Set small, achievable goals for the week. Each time you reach a milestone, no matter how minor, take a moment to celebrate your progress. These victories, big or small, remind you of your capability and help diminish the power of negativity. 💭Reflect: 1. What is one negative thought you’ve been holding onto, and how can you reframe it positively? 2. How can you incorporate more positive affirmations into your daily routine? 3. What small goal can you set this week to build confidence and counter negative self-talk? This week, embrace your potential, and watch as growth and self-improvement become your new mantra!🌟💪

Overcoming Self-Doubt: A Personal Story When I first started my executive coaching firm, I took on a major project for a high-profile client. The pressure was immense, and all eyes were on me. Self-doubt crept in, and I constantly questioned my abilities and decisions. Mitigating Self-Doubt: To overcome this, I took several steps: 1. Self-Reflection: Each morning, I reflected on my past achievements to remind myself of my strengths. 2. Seeking Mentorship: I reached out to a mentor for guidance and reassurance. 3. Breaking Down Tasks: I broke the project into smaller, manageable tasks to make it less daunting. 4. Open Communication: I maintained open communication with my team and the client, seeking feedback regularly. 5. Professional Development: I invested in workshops and books to enhance my skills and confidence. Outcome: As the project progressed, my confidence grew, and I trusted my instincts more. The project was a success, and the client was impressed. This experience taught me that self-doubt is natural but can be overcome with proactive steps. Conclusion: It's okay to experience self-doubt; it's part of being human. Embrace your strengths, seek support, and take steps to build your confidence. Self-love and confidence are the foundations of effective leadership. Picture enhanced by AI.