“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”― William Shakespeare
Doubt is the lack of confidence about something or someone. It is a prowling force that takes away joy, hope, and confidence from us and pushes us into an abyss of worry and uncertainty.
It can create a fear that keeps gnawing our minds and not many talk about doubt. However, it is a pernicious enemy that we battle frequently, and the worst part, we are too fearful to seek any clarification.
Doubt is an unpleasant strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. It is a feeling that makes us question the truth and become uncertain of it.
Consequently, it leads to a lack of confidence. Doubt can emerge due to intensive questioning of the truth when the best option is to accept the truth as we know it to be.
Yes, questioning is a part of critical thinking but it’s good only if it has a limit. Drinking water is good for the human body, but if one drinks too much agua, it’s a direct invitation to renal failure.
Similarly, questioning something is part of the process of learning and understanding something. But if one is obsessed with only asking questions, it will eventually lead to self-doubt.
For example, we may be emotionally and mentally happy believing that our dreams and actions are going in the right direction.
In this condition, the goal appears closer and doable. But if we were to overthink and start self-questioning too much, it will surely lead to self-doubt.
Soon the big dreams and goals fly far away. All our plans ascertaining our success metamorphose into question marks.
Doubt seeps into us easily. One question and become ten and soon suspicion can swiftly become a confirmation through assumptions devoid of any proof.
Usually, doubt causes more self-harm than any harm to someone else. Essentially, we experience doubt in two ways which are, self-doubt and doubt from others.
- Self-Doubt:
This is the type of doubt we face whenever we want to do something or especially when we start something new. It can be in the form of “You can’t do this correctly or at all,” or it can be in the form of “it doesn’t matter for no one cares what you want to do or are doing.”
Some of the people who are forever tormented by doubts are writers. If I write a book, will it sell? Will anyone read it? Will it make a difference?
Incidentally, JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was initially rejected 12 times before being accepted for publishing by Bloomsbury.
It’s a different story that she went on to make more money than the queen of England, but she could have doubted her efforts and stopped attempting to get published when she was rejected the third time.
- Doubt from Others:
One might get inspired by a movie actor and decide that they will go on a diet and start exercising. However, the person is soon discouraged by someone pointing out the futility.
Now, the discouragement can be intentional or unintentional but it will affect your confidence. It only gets worse if the observation is by a family member or friend.
Fantastic Tips to Overcome Doubt
However, doubt can be overcome and completely removed. Here are some important steps to overcome doubt.
1. Have Faith
If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits said, Don Ward. Faith removes doubt. So have faith in your vision and goal.
Remember that your desire to achieve your goal is the result of your subconscious self’s belief in your ability to achieve it.
2. Action Removes Doubt
Albert Einstein said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you have to keep moving.” In other words, inaction or not making a choice is for sure the wrong choice.
Making a choice may be good or bad, but if it’s bad, it’ll at least teach you a lesson and you’ll grow.
3. Stop Overthinking
If you want problems, start overthinking for it is a fog that takes away all clarity from the situation. So step back from the fog, look from another perspective and you’ll rediscover the path.
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4. Calm Down and Decide
Take 10 deep breaths before you make a decision. Deep breaths increase the oxygen in your blood and relax the body. This then earns you some peace and clarity.
5. Failure Leads to Success
Want to know how strong and capable you are? Walk out of your comfort zone. Never be afraid to fail for failure is the stepping stone to success.
Legend has it that Thomas Alva Edison took 10,000 attempts to perfect his light bulb.
