Believe In Your Own Wings

Hey there!

Scott here, back to dive into the second piece of our self-leadership foundation series: self-belief.

Last week we talked about self-awareness (temet nosce - know thyself), and some of you shared some amazing insights about your own journeys of self-discovery. But here's the thing - knowing yourself is only half the battle. You've got to believe in what you know.

Let me share something real with you...

Remember when I told you about losing my executive position and ending up in the ER? What I didn't mention was how that experience shattered my self-belief. Here I was, "successful" on paper, but suddenly questioning everything I thought I knew about myself.

It's funny how life works. My StrengthsFinder shows "Belief" as one of my top five strengths, but man, there were days when that strength felt more like a weakness. Because when you believe deeply in something and it falls apart, it hits different.

But here's what I learned: True self-belief isn't about never doubting. It's about what you do with those doubts.

Think about a raven for a second (humor me here). These birds are incredible - they're problem solvers, adaptable, and surprisingly playful. But most importantly, they don't question whether they can fly. Even in rough weather, they don't think, "Maybe I'm not cut out for this." They adjust their wings and keep going.

That's what real self-belief looks like. Not the absence of turbulence, but the confidence to navigate it.

Three Hard Truths About Self-Belief:

1. It's not something you're born with - it's something you build, decision by decision, action by action. My journey to launching Corvus? Started with tiny steps when my confidence was at rock bottom.
2. It's not about being the best - it's about being YOUR best. When I tried martial arts after my corporate life, I wasn't the most skilled owner in the room, but I believed in my ability to make a difference my way.
3. It's tested most when you need it most. That's not bad luck - that's life giving you a chance to strengthen it.

The Game-Changer:

Here's what took me years to figure out: Self-belief isn't about thinking you're better than others. It's about knowing you're enough for what you need to do right now.

When I started coaching, I had moments of "Who am I to guide others?" But then I realized - my journey, including the falls and restarts, was exactly what qualified me to help others navigate their paths.

Your Move This Week:

1. Write down three times you overcame something you didn't think you could. Keep it handy for when doubts creep in.
2. Find your "belief triggers" - what activities, environments, or people help you feel most confident? Build more of those into your routine.
3. Practice "yet" statements. Instead of "I'm not good at this," try "I'm not good at this yet." It's a small shift with big impact.

The Bridge:

Remember last week's self-awareness work? That's your foundation. Self-belief is about taking that knowledge and saying, "Okay, I see who I am, including the rough edges, and I choose to believe that's enough to start from."

Next week, we'll close our trilogy with self-accountability - because belief without action is just wishful thinking. But for now, focus on strengthening your belief in yourself. Your family, your team, your community - they need you operating at full power.

Keep soaring,

Scott

P.S. What's your self-belief story? When did you have to rebuild it? Share it with me - your story might be exactly what another brother needs to hear right now.