Self-doubt can be a tricky thing. It has a way of creeping up on us, whispering in our ears, and paralyzing us with fear.
But here’s the thing – we all have the power within us to overcome this crippling doubt. It’s all about the words we tell ourselves, the little reminders that can help shift our mindset and propel us forward.
That’s why I’ve come up with a list of eight little phrases to keep in your back pocket for those times when doubt starts to cloud your judgement. They’re simple, they’re powerful, and they’re here to help you regain your confidence.
So get ready to dive into these eight little phrases that you can remind yourself of when you’re overcome with doubt. Trust me – they can make a world of difference.
1) “I am capable”
We all have those moments where we question our abilities. It’s normal, but it can also be incredibly debilitating.
Enter the first phrase: “I am capable.”
It’s a simple reminder, but a powerful one. Doubt often arises from the belief that we’re not capable of handling a certain situation or achieving a certain goal.
But you are. You’re more capable than you think. You’ve faced challenges before and you’ve overcome them. You have skills, knowledge, and resilience that you might not even be aware of.
So when doubt starts to creep in, remind yourself: “I am capable.” Say it out loud, write it down, repeat it to yourself until you believe it.
This phrase isn’t just about convincing yourself that you can do something. It’s about acknowledging your abilities and your strengths. It’s about recognizing that you are, in fact, equipped to handle whatever comes your way.
Remember, it’s not about being cocky or overconfident. It’s about acknowledging your potential and giving yourself a gentle reminder of your capabilities when doubt tries to tell you otherwise.
Trust me, it works wonders.
2) “I’ve done this before”
Here’s another phrase that has truly helped me in the past: “I’ve done this before.”
Now, you might be thinking, “But what if I haven’t done this before?” That’s okay. This phrase isn’t about the specific situation you’re in right now. It’s about reminding yourself of your past accomplishments.
For example, a couple of years ago, I was asked to give a keynote speech at a large conference. I was incredibly nervous. I doubted my ability to captivate an audience, to deliver a powerful message. But then I reminded myself: “I’ve done this before.” Not keynotes, no, but I’d given presentations at work, I’d spoken in front of my peers during college.
I reminded myself that I have been in similar situations and I’ve come out on the other side just fine. And guess what? The keynote went great.
So remember, when you’re faced with a daunting task and doubt starts to creep in, tell yourself: “I’ve done this before.” It reminds you of your past successes and gives you a confidence boost to tackle what’s in front of you.
3) “Failure is part of the process”
When doubt starts to creep in, it’s often because we’re afraid of failing. But here’s something to remember: “Failure is part of the process.”
In fact, some of the most successful people in the world have faced tremendous failures. J.K. Rowling, for instance, was rejected by 12 different publishers before Harry Potter was finally accepted. Thomas Edison’s teachers said he was “too stupid to learn anything.” He was fired from his first two jobs for being non-productive. Even as an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, “How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?” Edison replied, “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”
So when you doubt yourself because you’re afraid of failing, remind yourself that failure doesn’t mean you’re incapable. It just means you’re trying, learning, and growing. It’s a necessary step on the road to success.
4) “I can learn from this”
Self-doubt often arises when we’re faced with a challenge or a difficult situation. But instead of letting doubt paralyze you, remind yourself: “I can learn from this.”
Every situation, good or bad, is an opportunity for learning. Maybe you made a mistake or faced a setback. Instead of beating yourself up about it, ask yourself what you can learn from it. What could you have done differently? What will you do differently next time?
This phrase helps shift your perspective. Instead of seeing a situation as a failure or a source of doubt, you start to see it as an opportunity for growth.
It’s not about making excuses or downplaying the situation. It’s about learning, adapting, and becoming stronger because of it. So the next time doubt starts to creep in, remind yourself: “I can learn from this.”
5) “I deserve to be happy”
This one gets to the heart of the matter: “I deserve to be happy.”
Self-doubt can often make us feel unworthy of happiness or success, but it’s important to challenge this negative thinking.
You deserve to be happy. You deserve to succeed. You are worthy of all the good things life has to offer.
We all have flaws and we all make mistakes. That doesn’t make us undeserving. It makes us human.
So when you’re feeling overwhelmed with doubt, take a moment to remind yourself: “I deserve to be happy.” Because you do. You truly, absolutely do, and don’t let self-doubt tell you otherwise.
6) “This too shall pass”
When I find myself in the grip of self-doubt, I often turn to a phrase that has comforted countless people throughout history: “This too shall pass.”
There have been times when I’ve been so consumed by doubt that I’ve felt stuck, like I’m in a dark tunnel with no end in sight. But this phrase reminds me that even the most difficult moments are temporary.
It might not feel like it in the moment, but just as day follows night, so too does relief follow struggle. Whatever you’re going through, it won’t last forever. And each day brings a new opportunity for things to get better.
So when you’re feeling overwhelmed by doubt, remind yourself: “This too shall pass.” It’s a beacon of hope in the darkness, a reminder that you can and will get through this.
7) “I am enough”
Doubt often makes us feel like we’re not enough. Not smart enough, not good enough, not capable enough. But here’s the truth: “I am enough.”
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to do everything right. You are enough just as you are.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others and feeling like we fall short. But your worth isn’t determined by how you stack up against someone else. It’s inherent.
So when doubt starts to cloud your judgement, remind yourself: “I am enough.” Because you are. You always have been and you always will be.
8) “I believe in myself”
At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is this: “I believe in myself.”
Self-doubt can chip away at your self-belief. It can make you question your abilities, your worth, your potential. But you have to hold onto your belief in yourself. It’s the foundation upon which all else is built.
Believing in yourself doesn’t mean you won’t have moments of doubt. It means you trust in your ability to overcome those moments. It means you know that you’re capable, that you’re worthy, that you’re enough.
So when doubt tries to tell you otherwise, push back. Remind yourself: “I believe in myself.” Because you can do this. You really can.
Final thoughts: Doubt, a double-edged sword
The complex interplay of emotions and self-perception often hinges on our internal dialogue. One such dialogue that we all grapple with is self-doubt.
While doubt can sometimes be a hinderance, stopping us in our tracks and making us question our potential, it’s also a testament to our human ability to introspect, to assess, and to grow. It’s a double-edged sword.
Doubt is not an indication of weakness. Rather, it’s a sign that we are pushing our boundaries, venturing outside our comfort zones, striving for something more. It’s an integral part of the human experience.
These phrases we’ve discussed are not magic bullets. They won’t make the doubt magically disappear. But they can serve as gentle reminders of your worth, your capability, and your resilience.
They’re little anchors of self-belief in the stormy seas of doubt, reminding you that you can navigate through the rough waters and make it to the calm shores.
So next time self-doubt tries to pull you down, remember these phrases. Use them as your personal armor to shield against the blows of doubt.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about eliminating doubt completely. It’s about learning to dance with it, to coexist with it, and to harness its energy for your growth.
