What do you do if your career has hit a roadblock and you're struggling with self-doubt?

You're rarely feeling just one feeling when your career hits a roadblock. There may be feelings of: - betrayal (you were promised if you did such-and-such you'd get a promotion) - jealousy (why did that person get rewarded and not you?) - unworthiness (if you really deserved the promotion, you'd have gotten it) Self-doubt is a symptom of some of these underlying feelings. If you can't trust what you thought you knew about your career and how your business worked, what other things are you wrong about? Your feelings are valid. You have a right to feel this way. You've been hurt by the situation and are in pain. But that doesn't mean you should stay stuck in your feelings. Once you accept that you feel them, you can allow them to pass.

Many people have hit a career road block you're not alone and remember that. It's really important to not blame yourself and to look and mark down all the great positive strengths and values you have. By focusing on your strengths and abilities you have a sound road to follow. It's natural for people to feel self doubt, but try not to let it control you and instead focus on the powerful and dependable you. Remember you are worth it as there's only one unique you. Show everyone what you can do. ??

Professional life is never linear and that’s a good thing. Obstacles and failures shape us, even strengthen us. It is in adversity that the best of ourselves appears. Each failure is an opportunity to get back up stronger, to meet great people if we accept to be accompanied and supported. Professional coaching can be an excellent resource to bounce back! ;-)

Some self-doubt is very normal - to consider if something is right for you, and vice versa. But self-doubt can become pervasive and obstructive, and require more calculated efforts to negate it. I'd say don't struggle alone, or be embarrassed by it. The thing with self-doubt is that we are often seeing ourselves way more harshly (and unrealistically) than anyone else is, it's just become normal and true for us, which can be damaging. A coach can help you unpick this, as it is showing up for you, and work towards more constructive, realistic and helpful thinking.

If your career has hit a roadblock, get clarity about what is causing you not to get promoted or feel unmotivated to advance your career. I have seen people hit these kinds of roadblocks, and usually, there is some kind of branding issue or an issue with their reputation at work where they are continually passed over for promotions and denied opportunities. It may benefit you to have some serious conversations with your peers and immediate supervisors as to why you aren't being considered for promotion or advancement. Be curious when seeking feedback to get the information you need to inform any future career decisions you may choose to make.

Know that you are not alone! It's estimated that 85% of the population worldwide suffers from self-doubt at some stage including me. Overcoming self-doubt involves patience, understanding, and deliberate steps. It begins with recognising our internal critical voice without letting it define us, setting the stage for change. A key strategy is to build a strong support network of positive people who reinforce our potential, helping to weaken our self-criticism. These supporters act as mirrors, reflecting back the strength and abilities you may fail to see in yourself during moments of uncertainty. Also practice transforming self-doubt into a motivator rather than a barrier, opening the door to a world of possibilities and personal growth.

1) List down all your negative thoughts and limiting beliefs and challenge them: - Are there hidden benefits to having negative talks? (e.g., you don't start your secret dream project and don't need to face your fear of being judged by your network) - Are those thoughts and beliefs really true? - Where did you learn this? - Are they people believing something else? What is the outcome? - What would be the outcome if you stopped believing this? 2) Replace your negative thoughts/beliefs ("I'm never gonna advance in my career") with more neutral or even positive thoughts/beliefs ("I've already overcome challenging situations in the past, there is no reason I don't manage this!") 3) Repeat your new thoughts and beliefs again and again!