From Doubt to Drive

There is a part of my regular run that I hate. Let’s call it The Hill.

It’s not the steepest or even the longest hill I run - it’s just the one that sews the greatest self-doubt. The Hill is two-thirds of the way through my run. Far enough that I am tired, but not far enough that I feel like I can stop and call it good.

Every time I run The Hill, I think I am going to have to stop. And every time, I make it to the top. But, this evidence is not enough to keep me out of the physical and mental struggle of scaling The Hill.

As I hit the part of The Hill where my muscles start burning and I am sucking air, images of teenage Brooke Bascom flash into my head:

… My high school gym teacher yelling at me for being selfish and walking the last part of the cross-country trail, making her late leaving for the day…?

…My classmates cheering me on in the timed mile, their well-meaning attention spotlighting my arrival dead last…??

…The disappointed eyes of my college field hockey coach during a run in tryouts, knowing I would not make the team…

Over time and with practice I have learned to switch the script. I know from experience that The Hill is too long and too steep to just power through with a good song. I have to tend to my mind and my body to get through it.?

I start with a mantra: “This is where it gets hard and this is where the difference is made.”?

I take my eyes off the top of the hill and bring myself into the present.

I focus on my breath. In for two steps, out for one.

I match my strides to the beat of the song.

I think about what it will feel like to get to the end of the run knowing that I did it and I am redefining my relationship with running.?

As I hit the top of the hill and start to catch my breath, I say “I can do hard things that make me feel uncomfortable.”

This practice has helped me develop stamina for sitting with discomfort in other areas of my life, as well. Rather than rushing through it, or numbing to it, I find that I am better able to turn to mindfulness to mine insight, turning the discomfort into something powerful instead of something crippling.

...I have transformed running from an experience that confirms my lack of athleticism to one that affirms my ability to do hard things...

When I coach clients on being an AGILE leader who is goal-oriented, we inevitably come to self-doubt that holds them back from delivering the transformative results they desire. I use the brain science of positive psychology and mindfulness to counter the effects of self-doubt so leaders can step bravely into new spaces and accomplish great results.

Some of the tools we use include;

• Self-awareness: Recognize and acknowledge self-doubt. Understand that it's a common human experience, even for successful leaders. Being aware of it allows you to address it more effectively.
• Positive self-talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Challenge your self-doubt by consciously cultivating a positive inner dialogue. Remind yourself of past successes and strengths.
• Set realistic goals: Break down larger goals into smaller, more achievable tasks. Celebrate small victories along the way, reinforcing your confidence and proving to yourself that you are capable.
• Focus on strengths: Concentrate on your strengths and the skills that have led to your success. Recognize that everyone has areas for improvement, and it's natural to face challenges.
• Continuous learning: Invest in your personal and professional development. Acquiring new skills and knowledge not only enhances your capabilities but also boosts your confidence in tackling new challenges.
• Mindfulness and self-care: Practice mindfulness techniques to stay present and focused. Prioritize self-care to maintain physical and mental well-being, as a healthy mind and body contribute to greater confidence.
• Visualize success: Envision yourself successfully achieving your goals. Visualization can help create a positive mindset and reduce self-doubt by reinforcing the belief that you are capable of achieving your objectives.

If you want to be an AGILE leader who can harness doubt into the energy to transform,, Ebb Tide can help.? Reach out to learn more.

Ebb Tide develops AGILE leaders who are:

Adaptive

Goal Oriented

Have Integrity

Are Lifelong Learners

And Emotionally Intelligent