Counterpoint: The Voice of Self-doubt is a Gift
Some mindset coaches teach that you must eliminate the little voice in your head that raises self-doubt. The thinking is that this little voice of self-doubt amounts to negative self-talk, which ultimately leads to negative outcomes.
While it’s true that negative self-talk contributes to negative outcomes, it’s not a fact that the voice of self-doubt contributes to negative self-talk. The fact is everybody has a little voice in their head. Sometimes it cheers you on and sometimes it raises doubts. Regardless of which message you perceive in the moment, you can use it for positive-self-talk.
Yes, it may appear that you’re better off when that little voice in your head is cheering you on, but the nagging little voice of self-doubt can help you just as much. However, you must work harder to activate this voice to help you, and that’s a good thing.
Recognize the voice of self-doubt for what it is. It’s a signal that something is important, and that signal is a gift. Remember, that little voice of self-doubt is silent when you’re doing something that’s not important. So, when you hear it nagging at you that’s your canary in the coal mine to start your preparation immediately.
We do many things in our lives that don’t matter. Each day, most of the time we sleepwalk through our routines. However, something changes when we get that nervous bug in our belly. There’s something special about to happen when that bit of anxiety causes that little voice of self-doubt to start speaking up.
Those are the moments that create memories. Moments that will shape your life. Moments that matter. This is when the voice of self-doubt helps you. This voice helps remind you to give that extra effort. Use it to push yourself to work harder, to stay up later, and to push your limits to places you thought you could never go.
Recognizing this positive side of self-doubt is critical for success. Without this early warning system, you’re at a disadvantage. If you don’t recognize this voice in your head as a positive force, you risk losing power instead of gaining it. In those crucial moments of our lives that matter, learning how to harness the little voice in your head as a source of power might just be the difference between success and failure.