Conquering Self-Doubt: How to Build Confidence and Achieve Success in Your Career

As a person of colour, I've often felt like I had to work twice as hard to prove myself in the workplace. So when I was offered a leadership position in my first job after college, I was thrilled but found myself constantly second-guessing my decisions and wondering if I was really cut out for the role. You see, I had convinced myself that my colleagues were judging me and that I wasn't truly qualified for the promotion. It wasn't until I spoke to other individuals from minority backgrounds who had faced similar challenges that I realised my self-doubt wasn't unique.?

If you experience self-doubt, don’t think you’re alone. Everyone does so from time to time. One study by the European Institute for Leadership and Management revealed that 50% of female managers and 31% of male managers admitted to experiencing self-doubt on a regular basis.

Understanding Self-Doubt?

Richard Branson once said:

"If someone offers you an incredible opportunity but you're not sure you can do it, say yes, then learn how to do it later!"?

However, if you struggle with self-doubt, you may find it difficult to embrace this advice. This is because self-doubt can make you feel less confident about trying new things and taking risks. Self-doubt can manifest in many ways, from feeling like an imposter in your job to doubting your ability to make decisions. It is a feeling of uncertainty and a lack of confidence in oneself. For instance, say you are applying for a role that you want, doubting your abilities can make you feel like you're not qualified for the job and even limit your opportunities by reducing the positions you pursue.

In extreme cases, chronic negative self-talk can cause you to procrastinate and even give up on your job search altogether. It can also make you more susceptible to rejection, as you may be more likely to interpret rejection as a reflection of your own inadequacy. Hence, it's important to recognise that self-doubt is a common experience and something that everyone goes through at some point in their lives. Acknowledging your abilities can help you take steps to overcome that impostor syndrome.

Identifying the Root Cause of Your Self-Doubt

To overcome self-doubt, it's important to identify the root cause of your feelings. Ask yourself what triggers your self-doubt. Is it related to a particular task or situation? Is it a response to criticism or feedback?? Once you have identified the root cause of your self-doubt, you can begin to address it directly. For example, if your self-doubt is related to a lack of experience or knowledge, you can take steps to gain more experience or knowledge in that area. And if your self-doubt is related to a fear of failure, you can work on reframing your mindset to view failure as a learning opportunity.

Overcoming Self-Doubt through Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance

Self-awareness and self-acceptance are key components of overcoming self-doubt. By becoming more self-aware, you can better understand your thoughts and feelings, and identify when self-doubt is taking hold.?

Self-acceptance means accepting yourself for who you are, flaws and all. It means recognising that nobody is perfect and that it's okay to make mistakes. When you accept yourself, you can be more confident in your abilities and less likely to doubt yourself.

One way to build self-awareness and self-acceptance is by seeking feedback from trusted friends, family members, or colleagues. Asking for feedback can help you gain insight into how others perceive you, which can increase your self-awareness. It's important to ask for feedback from people who will give you honest and constructive feedback and to approach the process with an open mind and a willingness to listen and learn. Receiving feedback will build self-acceptance by acknowledging areas where you may need to improve and recognising areas where you excel.?

Building Self-Confidence through Positive Self-Talk and Affirmations

Positive self-talk and affirmations can be powerful tools for building self-confidence and overcoming self-doubt. Instead of focusing on your shortcomings or failures, try to focus on your strengths and accomplishments.?

Practise positive self-talk by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. For instance, if you catch yourself thinking "I'm not good enough," try replacing that thought with "I am capable and competent."?

Affirmations are another powerful tool for building self-confidence. These are positive statements that you repeat to yourself to reinforce positive beliefs about yourself. Examples of affirmations include "I am confident and capable" or "I trust myself to make the right decisions."

Developing a Growth Mindset to Combat Self-Doubt

A growth mindset is a belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work and dedication. This mindset can be a powerful tool for combating self-doubt, as it encourages you to view challenges and failures as opportunities for growth and learning.?

To develop a growth mindset, focus on the process of learning and growth rather than the end result. Celebrate your progress and acknowledge the effort you put in, even if the outcome is not what you hoped for. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, and don't be afraid to ask for help or feedback along the way.

Seeking Support and Guidance from a Mentor?

Sometimes, overcoming self-doubt requires outside support and guidance. A mentor can be someone you trust and admire in your field, who can offer advice and guidance based on their own experiences. Therefore, they will act as a sounding board for your ideas and help you navigate challenges in your career and offer valuable insights into what has worked for them and what hasn't.

Maintaining Confidence and Self-Assurance in the Face of Setbacks

Setbacks and failures are an inevitable part of any career journey. When faced with setbacks or failures, it's important to maintain your confidence and self-assurance.?

One way to do this is to focus on the lessons learned from the setback. What can you learn from the experience? How can you use that knowledge to improve your performance in the future? Reframing setbacks as learning opportunities can help you maintain a growth mindset and build resilience in the face of challenges.

Another way to maintain confidence and self-assurance is to practise self-care. Taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally can help you feel more confident and resilient. This includes getting enough sleep, exercise, and healthy food, as well as engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

In Conclusion

Self-doubt can be a powerful force that holds us back from achieving our full potential. But with the right strategies and mindset, it is possible to overcome self-doubt and build the confidence you need to succeed in your career. By understanding the root causes of self-doubt, practising self-awareness and self-acceptance, and developing a growth mindset, you can become the confident, empowered professional you were meant to be. Remember that setbacks and failures are a natural part of the journey and that taking care of yourself is essential for maintaining confidence and resilience. With these tools and strategies in place, you can conquer self-doubt and achieve success in your career.