What are the best ways to help clients overcome self-doubt and develop a positive self-image?

Identifying the source is the job of psychotherapist! One of the key differences between coaching and psychotherapy is that coaching is not exploring the sources of issues.

Easy - ask them to identify and share best examples of peak performance. Then let them deep dive on what made that possible and how they could apply that in their current situation - That will help them to see and understand what they are truly capable of. For heavens sake, don't ask them to identify the source of their negative beliefs - that will only make them more miserable.

Working with women in technology, I find my young female mentees are hesitant to speak first. There is a tendency to hold back and have their male counterparts drive the agenda. Overcoming self-doubt requires giving yourself permission that you deserve to be in the room foremost and that your ideas deserve to be heard. You build confidence by being better prepared. Try to stress-test your ideas with a friendly audience maybe with a partner or family member. That helps close the gaps in your thought process. The cliché'speak'even with your voice shaking’ is apt because, at some point, you will have to raise your hand and be heard. The more you do it, that is you looking self-doubt in the eye, and in the process, building your confidence.

Rarely does a professional see themselves in the current job landscape accurately. Most often they are underestimating their stature and abilitites. By giving them the affirmation that, yes, you are valuable and here is why... you are giving them hope and the courage to change. These are "real" tangible reasons- not rah rah "you can do it" speech. The source of doubt is not as important as the awareness of it, and giving them the tools for making the change.

Any change starts with awareness. When we become honest with ourselves about what we don’t have and we want to have, or about what we have which we don’t want, we open the door to the potential of transformation. The journey starts here.

I have often heard and used this line, “if someone else spoke to you the way you speak to yourself, would you hang around with them?”

Clients will often develop an inner critic because something they tried in business didn't work. If we see results we don't like, this leads to thinking unhelpful thoughts about ourselves which in turn produce negative feelings and will impact our behaviour, leading inevitably to more poor results. This cycle repeated over time leaves the client susceptible to self doubt and could cause complete inaction. My job as the client's business coach is to get them out of that cycle. This can be done by helping the client remember and document all the successes they've achieved in the past so that they can recall that they are capable of achieving great results. Other tools to use are affirmations and visualisation exercises.

Absolutely resonate with both Jim's and Ros's observations. Challenging the inner critic goes beyond just realizing negative self-talk but taking proactive steps towards replacing those thoughts. A vital aspect of this can also be building a supportive environment where peers and mentors help in dispelling myths of inadequacy and provide support to to boost confidence.

The inner critic is a nasty little bugger who is responsible tremendous amounts of failure. It's this inner voice that stops many good, and even great, people from having a go at something. It helps to know that every one of us carries this little guy inside. So don't assume that it's just you. Realize that he's there to keep you from taking risks. By letting him convince you that you're not good enough, you're giving yourself an excuse to be complacent. If you truly want to grow, do something new, or stand out, you need to learn to pat this little guy on the head, then turn to his big brother who says, "You're a good looking guy! You're amazing, and you can accomplish anything!" We get to pick which one we listen to.

Hands down the most effective way to start overcoming self-doubt is to take action, no matter how small. It might be a tool - like ways to remember names when you meet prospects. It might be realizing that when you are so strongly stuck in your own "I'm filled with doubt" energy it's impossible to listen well to others, which means little to no connection and then even more self-doubt. Get outside of your doubt by focusing on the other person. You don't have to say much, just listen. That alone pulls you out of doubt and into relationships.

Giving feedback (positive or negative) is not something that coach should do. Coach might invite client to give himself feedback but should stay outside of evaluation or advice zone.

Feedback is indeed a double-edged weapon. While I agree with Pedja and Kirsten about the coach's role in evaluation, it's essential to differentiate between feedback and validation. While a coach should steer clear from evaluations, validating a client's journey is a crucial coaching tool and can lead to increased self-awareness and motivation.

I mostly agree with Pedja Jovanovic, I part ways slightly in that people need to know how they are doing, but not from our perspective but their own and you should have systems in place that help them to become aware of things and they can learn the practice of how to check in with themselves. A coaches goal should always be to get you to a place where you have built the practices you need so you no longer need us for that original reason or reasons you sought us out to begin with. But you are also always leveling up and once you understand the value of coaching, you will likely want to always be working with one or even some. I work with one or two each year personally and that is outside of my network of coaches and leaders.

We need to get the focus on the client having proximal goals so that, through Coaching Conversations, we can identify progress. That will give the client positive feedback.

One of my favorite exercises with a client is helping them find and list out all the positives in their life. How did they handle something and find the silver lining with them directing the outcome. Helping someone recognize their positive impact on their lives helps each person see their value very quickly. Sometimes as a coach we just need to walk them back through that list over and over until they truly hear and feel it at their core.

Work with your clients to identify situations or beliefs that trigger their self-doubt and fixed mindset. These may include fears of failure, fear of judgment, or perfectionism. Encourage clients to challenge their limiting beliefs and help them understand that making mistakes and facing challenges is a natural part of the learning process. This can boost their self-esteem and confidence. Teach clients to reframe failures and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning rather than as indicators of their inadequacy. This shift in perspective can be empowering.

Everyone at a core level is driven. It is in the human nature to dream, to aspire, to excel. Those desires are often put away in the busy-ness and trials of life. All one needs is for that belief to come back. Some encouragement, appreciation, respect and trust to another, when demonstrated, will push them into gear, when they take the initiative. A positive self image is only buried. It needs to be surfaced through support.

A growth mindset is always a goal with a client. However sometime we have to start with a today mindset to find the growth in the end. Today what was your win. Tomorrow what do you want to win at. Long term growth comes for tiny steps that traverse the long road.

By instilling a growth mindset, clients can change their self-perception from one of static self-doubt to one of dynamic self-improvement. They learn to embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, and see their self-worth as something that can be continually developed. This transformation can lead to a more positive self-image and greater self-confidence.

I agree a growth mindset is essential when setting out to achieve yours goals. Another important factor is helping the client to make their goals compelling enough, so that when the self doubt/fears kick in, their determination and desire to achieve their goal is not held back.

In my experience, one thing that relates well to self-compassion is giving yourself grace. Often times we give grace to others with such ease, but find it difficult to offer the same to ourselves. We must give ourselves grace, and treat ourselves with kindness in order to truly operate from a space that is full of self-compassion.

In my experience the biggest limiting belief across the world is "I am not enough". When we make mistakes we beat ourselves up, because that's what we have been conditioned to do since our childhood. We need to be kind in our self-talk. For self-compassion, we need self-care and self-love. They all go hand in hand and bring a deeper transformation. When the clients make mistakes or face setbacks, we need to help them reframe their self-talk in a positive and encouraging manner. Use mindfulness techniques for your clients as a means of staying present with their emotions and thoughts without judgment. Specific self-compassion exercises, such as writing a self-compassionate letter also help.

Always. Acceptance is such a powerful tool for people. Not acceptance of the right or wrongness of a situation, but a mood state of internal acceptance because it is a less resistive way of living. This is in part an eastern type of philosophical approach, but its also a way to maintain the ability to think. It links to slowing down.

Super important to be gentle on yourself and when you develop that unconditional self-love it is easier, but it is a journey for many people to get to that place. You want to get to a place that you are so non-judgmental, your ego is so out of your perception that you have no need to forgive.

One of the best exercises I have done with clients is help them find the logic to their negative fallacy. Have them play devils advocate to all thought patterns they are currently stuck in. Once you walk them through this a few time they start to do it themselves and recognize how to be compassionate with themselves and find the positives.

I keep coming back to Michelle Obamas quote; "practice being who you want to be". You will wake up some morning and find that you really are that person. Note you little wins each day. Focus on what you did clear off your 'to do' list and not what remains there and celebrate those little wins. They all add up.

A positive self-image is built over time and created in the moment. Ask yourself 'What one thing can I do (in my behaviour or communication) that will make me feel awesome?' There is a lot of work to get you into tip-top shape, but this is a great starter.

Your prospects were observing you before they became your clients. They are attracted to your personal brand because they see themselves in you. They chose to work with you because they want the same transformation you manifested. As business coaches, we need to constantly level up and share our progress. My clients and I are in the middle of a video challenge and I share what I have learnt on good days and bad days. My goal is to motivate and encourage them to keep moving towards their goals.

En tant que coach business et mentor j'essaye de donner l'image la plus authentique possible et non une image parfaite. Le partage du coach à ses coaché.e.s de leur vulnérabilité et de leurs doutes est une force. Cela nous arrive tous d'échouer et donc d'être vulnérable et d'avoir des doutes. J'ai pu remarquer que ce qui était efficace pour les coachés était qu'ils puissent s'identifier à des personnes passées par le chemin qu'elles sont en train d'emprunter. L'accessibilité et l'humanité d'un coach et d'un mentor est essentielle pour leurs coaché.es qui arrivent plus facilement à se projeter sur un avenir qui para?t alors possible.

I believe it's essential to share personal insights, feelings, and experiences with clients. Firstly, it deepens the connection, and they don't feel alone in their journey. We all understand the sense of isolation that can accompany our thoughts and emotions. Sharing my personal experiences and struggles with self-doubt and negative self-image, as well as how I overcame them during my professional tennis career, can be profoundly impactful. This not only illustrates that transformation is achievable but also nurtures a sense of relatability with my clients.

Action breeds confidence. The most fundamental element of developing confidence and courage is to take action. The longer someone sits in the uncertainty of what to do, or questioning the best path forward, the more uncertainty is created - and along with it a fear to act. Most people are fearful to take action because they don't want to fail, or make a mistake. They assume someone else knows how to do it better or that it's already been done. But imagine what is truly possible when they take a courageous step outside their comfort zone towards a goal they previously had "no clue" how to tackle. They learn that they are capable and can actually do it, or they learn something else about themselves along the way. Either way they win.

I usually recommend my followers or clients to recall - What was your best time in life. - How you got this time. - Who are your friends who have achieved least and max in your - and many similar queries. It will help to gather enough information about the client and also to understand why client has limiting beliefs. Then this information can be used to convince the clients that how much potential he has.

One of the techniques I use to help my clients is to understand what they say to themselves, how they say it, and when they are by themselves. Using an initial 9-week structured programme incorporating positive psychology and similar approaches, my clients have seen a positive change. They are so happy they get their spouse or kids to come along. The key message here is that change should start from within, and it takes continuous, deliberate and consistent application to move forward.

Overcoming self-doubt: - reframe negative self-talk - call upon past success to show how capable you are - learn to recognize and ignore unhelpful, uninformed feedback

Coach them in exploring Who they want to be instead, which empower beliefs they want to have, what are the small concrete steps that they want to take in putting the new belief in practice & situation => make it specific for a specific kind of situations/ skills + helping building in small moments of confidence when they make progress toward the Future Them + coaching them in building practice of regularly reflection on positive & the things/actions that they did well + coaching them in asking for feedforward from surrounding on progress they made + celebrate mini moments of proud on learning lessons & achievements + exploring who/what else could support them on the journey + exploring what can blocking their way & ways to deblock