Self doubt is the main reason why some of us never seem to reach our full potential!
Over the years I have spoken with so many of my clients about the dreams and wishes for the future; and some of them manage to achieve what they want and some of them always find themselves falling short.
There is always some well intended person telling you to 'Believe in Yourself' but they never tell you exactly how to actually do it!
I've spent years working on my own Self Doubt, and have tried various ways to control that annoying voice inside my head telling me that I'm not good enough. But when I'm feeling a little low, or I have a big challenge to face I can't help but question my own ability.
Lately I've been working on a big project, which has pushed me so far out of my comfort zone. Without giving away too much, this is a very big goal of mine that I have been working towards for many years.
Part of what I've been up to is writing a business plan, and included in that is a SWOT analysis.
For those of you that don't know SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
When looking at your business you are supposed to compile lists under each heading so that you have a better understanding of your business's capabilities and what you need to work on.
It also helps you plan ahead and make better choices.
As I was writing my SWOT analysis I got to thinking that this could be useful for my personal life.
I sat for days writing out my Strengths and Weaknesses, I really took my time to think through each section, and to list everything I could think of. I knew I was never going to show anyone else so I was able to be frightfully honest.
There was something quite empowering in seeing all your skills, assets, achievements and flaws in black and white.
I then began the last half: Opportunities and Threats!
We all have the opportunity to turn our weaknesses into Strengths, but ignore them and they become Threats.
For example:
Strength: I have a passion for learning
Weakness: I procrastinate when I have to do something that I don't enjoy.
Opportunity: I can either delegate the tasks I don't enjoy to someone else, or I can do them myself and reward myself with a new course to help me build my business.
Threat: I suffer with anxiety, and it gets worse when I am feeling overwhelmed and working to a deadline. When I have left something to the last minute my anxiety can become crippling.
Once I had finished my SWOT I was amazed at how confident I felt, I could see it all - the good and the bad! But this time the bad didn't scare me anymore!
Yes I have Self Doubt, and I am very much aware of it - but I am also aware of my amazing strengths and my opportunities are endless. And as long as I keep reminding myself of them I won't suffer with my Self Doubt for too long!