CONQUERING SELF-DOUBT

I came across a quote not too long ago about people that run and a metaphor that we all should aim to remind ourselves of. It went as follows: 

“A REMINDER FOR ANYONE WHO ‘RUNS’. EVERY TIME YOU LACE UP YOUR SHOES AND RUN, YOU’VE ALREADY WON THE MOST IMPORTANT RACE, THE ONE AGAINST SELF-DOUBT.TIME AND DISTANCE DO NOT DEFINE YOU; YOUR DETERMINATION DOES. BE PROUD.“

- OWEN BARROW

What is apparent from this quote is that we, as people, frequently experience an internal negotiation in relation to completing tasks. As a result, a nagging voice will often manifest in our minds as to lead us toward the path that aligns with our view of self. We then produce questions as to whether we are capable, knowledgeable, or able to carry out the thing that is in front of us. The problem with these questions is that they are often not indicative of how competent we are, being maladaptive assumptions about our capabilities. Thus, we are discouraged from completing the tasks that we seek to fulfil. Simply put, we never lace up our shoes and run in fear that we are unable to run fast enough or far enough. 

But what if we responded to the feelings of internalised doubt with questions of rationality and logic? Would that improve our chances in winning the negotiation within our own minds?

Studies indicate that it would in that challenging our own cognition may yield positive results. After all, this is primarily the foundation for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and the cornerstone for many therapeutic psychological modalities. As such, imagine if we celebrated the fact that we ran, as opposed to being paralysed by feelings of inadequacy as to how fast or far we could run. Self-doubt plagues us all, however, it is ultimately our choice how we choose to respond to it.

CONQUERING SELF-DOUBT

WRITTEN BY MYLES CHERRY

Director / Registered Psychologist at The Gray Area