Written by: Twanna Carter, PhD, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Self-doubt is the feeling that you aren't good enough or smart enough to do something; it's an insidious voice in your head telling you that you don't have what it takes to succeed at something or have things your way.
Self-doubt can be a crippling force. It can make it hard to feel confident in your abilities, especially if you're a woman of color. When you're plagued by self-doubt, it's hard to see the good things in life and even harder to enjoy them when they happen.
If you find yourself constantly second-guessing decisions, questioning your abilities and worrying about what other people think of you, consider these practical tips to overcome self doubt in your life and career.
Do you have a hard time believing in yourself?
You are not alone.
I know it feels that way sometimes, but you are not the only person who has ever had to overcome self-doubt or felt like they were never good enough. You can learn to believe in yourself and your abilities, and that's what this article is about!
Are you working on building your confidence and self-esteem?
If you're trying to build your confidence and self-esteem, it can be hard to know where to start. But the first step is recognizing that self-esteem is an important part of feeling good about yourself and your life--and it's something all people need in order for their lives, careers and relationships to thrive.
Self-esteem is defined as "the belief in one's own worth; self-respect; pride." The more we value ourselves as humans, the more likely we are able to reach our full potential in all areas of life: work, relationships and more!
Do you find it difficult to believe in accomplishments?
Do you find it difficult to believe in yourself, regardless of all that you've accomplished, or what others say about you?
Do not let self-doubt get in the way of your success! Here are five practical tips Black women can use to overcome self-doubt and build up their self-esteem.
Recognize that you are valuable — and your self-worth is not contingent on a job, how much you make, or the opinions of other people.
Surround yourself with positive people who believe in your potential; avoid those who are negative or critical of everything you do!
Celebrate your successes and look for opportunities to improve in the future. Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself of all that you have to be thankful for.
Do not compare yourself to others; only compare how far you have come from where you started out.
Be proud of who you are. Practice affirmations daily and use them as an opportunity to boost your confidence in yourself and your abilities.
Remember to always believe in yourself. No matter what anyone else says or thinks about you--your capabilities as a person, a professional – you have the power to determine your own value.
Do you tend to find fault with yourself more often than not?
If you're prone to beating yourself up, then it's time to stop. It's time for a change.
It's time for self-love and acceptance.
You may have heard about the importance of love yourself before but do you really know what that means? Love yourself is not just saying "I love myself" or even thinking it from time to time. Loving yourself means accepting every part of who you are and all the things that make up who you are. Your strengths and weaknesses, your talents and abilities as well as those things that aren't so great about how others view them.
Loving yourself also involves being kinder towards yourself, by not judging and giving yourself compassion.
Are there certain areas in which you feel less confident?
Are there certain areas in which you feel less confident than others, such as speaking up at work, asking for help when needed, or making decisions independently? If so, this can be a good place to start. Start by identifying the specific behavior that makes you feel nervous. Is it asking a question during a meeting or giving feedback on an assignment? Try mapping out how your brain processes this situation. What goes through your mind before and after the event happens? How do other people react (or not react)? Does anything happen that makes what could have been an uncomfortable situation easier on yourself and those around you?
We all experience self-doubt at some point or another
We all experience self-doubt at some point or another. It's a normal part of life and doesn't mean that you're weak, unsuccessful, or not good enough.
In fact, research shows that people who are able to overcome their feelings of self-doubt have more success than those who don't.
These tips are just the beginning, but they can help you build confidence and self-esteem. You may find that as you work on overcoming your self-doubt, other areas of your life will improve as well. For example, if you're feeling less confident about speaking up at work or asking for help when needed because of low self-esteem, then these tips will assist with that process as well.
Twanna Carter, Ph.D., Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
An ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) who empowers stressed, busy women execs, tackling impostor syndrome, self-criticism, and doubt to alleviate their stress so that they can find peace of mind and focus on excelling in their careers.
Rather than coach symptoms, she leverages her coaching so that women work on the root causes that threaten to sabotage their career and life. Which means clients see immediate change resulting in decreased stress, increased confidence, and shifting from overwhelm to relaxation.
Recognized as an Office of Personnel Management Presidential Management Fellow, Twanna left full-time federal employment to be an entrepreneur. She is currently the CEO of Twanna Carter Professional & Personal Coaching, LLC.
