Day 5 – The Cost of Doubt: Can You Afford to Not Bet on You?

The true cost of doubt lies in the success stories never told because we didn't have the courage to believe in ourselves

Hey Fam,?

Thanks for stopping by.?

Today, I want to talk about something that has been coming up lately with many of my students, particularly my seniors—self-doubt. Why is it that the closer we get to big goals, the more we start to doubt ourselves, even the smartest and hardest working among us? It's something that affects many of us, from the decisions we make every day to the dreams we dare to chase.?

Doubt is like a shadow; it comes out when our light shines bright, making us question our abilities, worth, and potential.?

But what happens when we let doubt dim our light?

We lose.

Let me explain.

A couple of years ago, right before I finished my doctorate, I hit a massive wall of self-doubt. My dissertation wasn't the usual stiff, formal research paper—I wrote it like an open letter, straight from the heart. I kept asking myself, "Is this good enough? Will they think I'm a worthy scholar?"?

I had a choice: play it safe or stick with my gut and my own style. I decided to go for it—to be true to myself.?

I bet on my voice, submitting a piece that could have sent years of research tumbling down like a house of cards. But guess what? My not-so-traditional dissertation,?America's Empathy Deficit: Our Bloody Heirloom and the Invisible Backpack, was not only defended and accepted but won the?Dean's Medal for Outstanding Doctoral Work.?

This surprising win taught me powerful lessons about trusting your gut and betting on yourself.?

Lessons:

1 - Your Unique Voice is Your Superpower:?

Just like my dissertation, your unique perspective and voice has incredible value.?

When you hit that wall of doubt, remember that what makes you different could be exactly what sets you apart and leads to your greatest successes.

Trusting your voice can lead to unexpected rewards, even when it goes against the grain.

2 - The Difference is YOU:?

Betting on myself meant staying true to myself, even in the face of potential rejection.?

Authenticity resonates with people. It did with the review committee for my dissertation, and it will with those you want to influence.?

When you're genuine, people notice, and opportunities you never expected can come your way.

3. Either Way You Win:

When you decide to bet on yourself, you set yourself up for a win-win scenario.?

If you succeed, great – you've achieved what you aimed for. But even if things don't go as planned, you don't lose; you gain invaluable experience. This mindset turns every result into a lesson and moves you forward.?

Betting on yourself is the ultimate investment because either you win or learn, you never stand still – you're always making progress.

Remember, the true cost of doubt lies in the success stories never told because we didn't have the courage to believe in ourselves. Each moment we hesitate, questioning our worth and capabilities, we pay the price in lost opportunities and the silent erosion of our potential. But when we choose to believe in ourselves, we reject that cost and invest in our limitless possibilities. So, I encourage you to step out of the shadow of doubt and into the light of self-confidence.?

It's time to bet on yourself, for in that bet lies the path to uncovering your true capabilities and the countless wins waiting on the other side of doubt.

Doubting yourself is hard. Betting on yourself is hard. Choose your hard.?

Thanks for your time today.

Talk to you soon.

Much Love,

Dr. Jae