Why Doubting Yourself Is A Good Thing
We’re often told that self-doubt is the enemy of success - that it holds us back, keeps us small, and prevents us from reaching our full potential. And for the longest time, I believed that.
I thought self-doubt was proof that I wasn’t good enough, that I lacked what it took to succeed. But over the years, I’ve realized something surprising: self-doubt isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it can be one of the most powerful tools for growth, creativity, and motivation - if you know how to use it.
That’s why I’m writing this article. I want to challenge the idea that doubting yourself means you're failing. Instead, I’ll show you how to reframe self-doubt as something that can actually push you forward. Here are three reasons why self-doubt can be a good thing.
Three Reasons Why Self-Doubt Is Good
1. It Can Be Motivating.
Some creatives believe that they wouldn’t be able to create anything without the feeling of self-doubt. It affects us all in different ways. You know those little voices in the back of your mind that speak to you?
They whisper things like:
- Are you sure you can do this?
- What if you fail and look foolish?
- Someone else could probably do this better than you.
These voices feed into our insecurities, making us hesitate. But you don’t have to listen to them all the time. I’m a true victim of this. And that’s when my self-doubt is at its worst. But the key here is to admit that you’re doubting yourself. Then carry on with achieving your goals anyway.
Like Vincent van Gogh once said:
“If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.”
When you admit to yourself that you’re doubting yourself, try saying this instead:
- Yes, I feel doubt right now, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do it.
- I’ve succeeded before, and I can do it again.
- Doubt is just a feeling, and feelings don’t control my actions - I do.
2. You Need That Break.
When embarking on a new endeavor, it's common to experience a lull in creativity. This pause is not unproductive; rather, it's a crucial period for your mind to process and evaluate the idea.
You might find that after some reflection, you're ready to proceed, or perhaps you'll decide the concept needs more development. Doubt during this phase can be beneficial, providing the necessary time to make informed decisions. I personally advocate for taking deliberate breaks to facilitate this process.
One effective method to structure these breaks is the Pomodoro Technique, developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. This time management method involves breaking work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. Each interval is known as a "pomodoro," named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used during university.
The technique consists of six steps:
1. Decide on the task to be done.
2. Set the Pomodoro timer (typically for 25 minutes).
3. Work on the task.
4. End work when the timer rings and take a short break (typically 5–10 minutes).
5. Go back to Step 2 and repeat until you complete four pomodori.
6. After four pomodori are done, take a long break (typically 20 to 30 minutes) instead of a short break. Once the long break is finished, return to step 2.
Implementing the Pomodoro Technique can help maintain focus and prevent burnout, allowing you to return to your tasks with renewed energy and clarity.
3. It Helps You Grow.
When we doubt ourselves, we can spend a lot of time overthinking. It’s easy to get stuck in a loop of hesitation and self-criticism. But you need to break free at some point, you need to ask yourself: Is my self-doubt serving me, or is it holding me back?
What’s worse - trying and failing, or never trying at all?
The key to growth is action. Instead of being consumed by doubt, use it as a signal to push forward. Here’s how:
Acknowledge Your Doubts - Recognize when self-doubt is creeping in. Say to yourself, I hear you, but I won’t let you stop me.
Challenge Negative Thoughts - Ask yourself, What’s the worst that can happen? Most of the time, the fear is exaggerated.
Take Small Steps - You don’t need to conquer everything at once. Set a small, achievable goal and work towards it.
Track Your Progress - Keep a record of your accomplishments, no matter how small. Seeing progress builds confidence.
Step Outside Your Comfort Zone - Growth happens when we take on challenges that feel slightly uncomfortable but are still manageable.
Take Action Before You Feel Ready - Confidence doesn’t come before action; it comes as a result of taking action repeatedly.
The more thoughts you have, the more self-doubt will try to take over. But breaking the cycle means stepping up and doing something intentional for yourself. Growth comes from movement, not from waiting for the perfect moment. So, the next time you doubt yourself, take it as a sign - it’s time to act!
Why Not Try This?
Next time self-doubt appears and you feel the fear, ask yourself some questions:
- What exactly is it that I’m afraid of?
- Who can I talk to about this?
- What can I do to push past it and achieve my goals?
I believe we all have a choice. We can believe in ourselves from the start. We can let self-doubt swallow us up. Or we can use it to push ourselves forward and grow.
I’d love to know, do you feel the fear of self-doubt? Or do you use it to push you further?
Don't ever give up on your dreams -Carl.
What’s Next?
If you found this helpful, I’m sharing more insights like this every week on my new blog! So bookmark this website and come back and find out more about how to break free from your old beliefs and doubts.
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