Kill Self Doubt. Build Evidence.

There’s this idea floating around — that you don’t ‘build confidence’…

You build EVIDENCE.

“You don't become confident by shouting affirmations in the mirror, but by having a stack of undeniable proof that you are who you say you are. Give yourself so much goddamn proof that you are the version of yourself want to be, and you'll become them. Outwork your self doubt.” — Alex Hormozi.?

But let’s back up a little.? Let’s take a look at that thing called ‘Self Doubt’…?

Self-doubt kills momentum, joy, self-expression and growth potential.? And yet we let it. ?

Why?? Or more importantly… How?

The Asian Art of Self-sabotage

Growing up in an Asian culture, I had it ingrained in me — that talking about my strengths and successes was poor form.

The appropriate response to any praise or external validation would be…

“No, I was just lucky. I’m actually not very good at X.”

Or — “No… I’m actually not that good.? < Name > is actually much better than me.?

And with that, my parents and teachers handed me a script for false humility and self-sabotage.?

The Confidence Paradox

But wait… it’s not just Asian culture at work.

I’ve observed another paradox at work — some of the most competent people I know, are also the most self-critical.

Why?

Introspection.? The exercise of humility enables us to grow continually. ?

But like fire, self-critique is both a good servant and bad master.? And so, an inner dialogue that begins with neutral self-reflection (focused on a particular event), can sometimes end up razing to the ground — adjacent confidence in one’s strengths and capabilities.

So — this piece of advice by Hormozi is useful… Build that “stack of undeniable proof”.? Evidence.

And today, I started building my Evidence List.