Does self-doubt seem to creep in, little by little, as you strive toward your purposeful goals? Do those nagging doubt-filled thoughts sometimes flood you with disempowering feelings? These unpleasant feelings can stifle your ambition and stall progress. In fact, self-doubt may be the most significant obstacle to your goals, but you can counter self-doubt with a growth mindset. After all, you’ve got goals to crush!

Self-Doubt and the Fear Factor

Self-doubt spawns from fear and dampers your goal-getting abilities if you let it permeate your mind. Fear is a natural emotion meant to protect us, yet our mind takes liberties with what it deems as unsafe or dangerous (side note: for some of us, anything outside our comfort zone is frightening). 

As a result, our mind feeds our fears, often unchecked. If fear, in any form, settles in, self-doubt usually follows. It happens (it’s not abnormal), but staying in states of self-doubt can inhibit goal progression.

Self-Doubt Is an Obstacle

Consistently doubting yourself can impede your progress by tricking you into believing you’re not strong enough, smart enough, worthy enough, etc., to accomplish something tremendous (i.e., your purposeful goals). 

Your consistent thoughts become your mindset, and in this case, you’re not creating the productive (or growth) mindset pertinent to accomplishing your goals. You’re instead investing your energy into worrisome thoughts, which can become obstacles to your goals.

Mindset Matters

“Change your thoughts and change your world,” stated Norman Vincent Peale. This powerful statement holds the truth. One can positively change their perception (of themselves and the world around them) with awareness of their thought patterns. You shape your world with your thoughts, in a way.

Since thoughts lead to emotions ultimately, your thoughts are responsible for your perceived fear. Therefore, overcoming fear (which spurs self-doubt) requires your awareness of the thought patterns that cause you to fear. 

This awareness enhances your ability to focus on growth rather than habitually following thought patterns unfavorable to goal-getting. Paying attention to your thoughts generates an understanding that enables you to stop the mental scripts where they start (over time).

Stop the Negative Script

To change the thoughts that generate self-doubt, you must stop destructive thought patterns from running their regular script. You can do this by redirecting thoughts that induce fear to constructive ideas which support your endeavors. You can “rewire your mind” over time, so your mental focus will flow to the positive, to solutions, and results (i.e., establish a growth mindset).

Rewire My Mind?

Your brain is flexible, and life-changing shifts in perception are possible with your continual effort. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to rewire itself due to experience. We can prompt our brain to make new connections or pathways (via neuronal gossip) by mindfully redirecting our thinking to the positive until those thoughts become a habit.

Establishing A Growth Mindset

You can change your overall mindset by persistently catching and changing your counterproductive thoughts! A growth mindset is possible for anyone, so don’t doubt yourself. 

Be Introspective

If you find yourself stagnating due to a self-defeating perception of yourself, begin by analyzing your thoughts. A bit of mindful introspection goes a long way. It results in self-knowledge, which aids in your plight for a positive mindset. 

Ponder what fear, or fears, cause you to doubt yourself. Is the (perceived) daunting possibility of failure causing you to question yourself? Are you afraid of regretting your decisions (based on what-ifs)? Perhaps, it’s a fear of others judging your choices and actions? When you examine and question the thoughts behind your fear, you may deflate your worries by default. 

Change Your Thoughts

You can recognize and redirect thoughts when you feel yourself dwelling in states brought on by fear with awareness. You can change your negative thinking to the opposite (optimistic) view by focusing on your strengths and positive outcomes.

Meet destructive thoughts with constructive ideas—every time you notice them until it becomes a habit. Focus on the positive, even if you have to force it, at first. Don’t allow doubt to seep in (and if it does, refocus). You’ll feel empowered as you see the impact a growth mindset has on your ability to squash self-doubt.

You ARE enough.

Having a growth mindset cultivates copious amounts of self-love. You may not realize that you are enough already, friend, but you will. You don’t lack the spark which is essential to manifesting your goals. It’s already there.

You have it within you to attain any goal you seek. You have the drive, and you can acquire all else with effort. I know that. You have to know that about yourself—mindset matters in your journey. 

Reason Through Setbacks, Then Tackle Them

Setbacks happen. It’s a fact of life. Our thoughts and energy will often flow to maintaining the status quo when setbacks occur along our journey (as it’s a familiar, safe path). However, fear can keep you from your goals if you seek the path of least resistance when challenges arise. Your reaction to obstacles determines your direction. Perspective is everything here.

Why believe setbacks or obstacles will be the end of your endeavor? Obstacles aren’t “game over.” They merely challenge you to overcome. Realistically, you can adjust your approach and find a way forward (especially if there’s a spark, a passion, which drives you.) Think of solutions, and the doubt will fall away. Believe you’ll find a way forward, and you will. 

What Ifs

Considering all outcomes to guide your choices differs from fixating on the most extreme possibilities. Imagine your decisions working out in the best ways possible instead of thinking the opposite. Do this enough times, and you’ll see a shift in your thinking. 

For instance, if you find yourself worrying over a big decision, instead of envisioning harmful possibilities, think of only beautiful opportunities. A growth mindset enables your thoughts to flow to the good, and actions that align with your purpose (goals) will naturally follow. 

Don’t Stop Believing (In Yourself).

A central ingredient to a growth mindset is believing in yourself. Believe you’re worthy and capable. If we don’t feel worthy of achieving our goals or deserving of success, we limit our potential as our thoughts will trend toward doubt (fear). 

You must believe in yourself and your capabilities. Learn to love yourself enough to accept that you deserve success. In this way, your thoughts and energy will trend toward positive ideas that propel you forward.

You’re a Goal-Getter!

In time, with a growth mindset, you’ll find yourself kicking self-doubt to the curb and tackling your goals—your overall perception will change. You’ll know that you will reach your goals.