Career Coach: Break Through Your Self-Doubt

In today’s competitive work world, inner-voices of fear and self-doubt can surface with an increased vitality and urgency. This is particularly true for many women as they become more successful and more visible. They continuously feel that they must prove themselves, even after they’ve achieved their goals. 

By addressing these fears and restoring your inner-balance, you can gain the resilience and healthy outlook that will help you achieve your career and life goals. Find the time to use the techniques below. Save this exercise, print it out, and come back to it if necessary. Understanding how fear impacts your life can help you take actions to push past it. 

Make a list of your fears. Only by admitting that they exist can you seek solutions. Include fears you may have about your career, life, and other people. Write down how these fears impact your life and hold you back from your goals. Think about how they impact your actions and reactions in a variety of situations. 

Quiet the voices in your head. Write down the negative messages that you think and say to yourself when you think about these fears. What is stimulating these feelings? Pinpoint as closely as you can the origin of your fears. If they are career-related, take the time to research what positions may seem more satisfying. If you are experiencing financial issues, meet with an accountant to go over your funds and explore your options. 

Build a support system. Connect with friends and family members and eliminate people from your life who foster feelings of negativity. Some people are incapable of positive emotions – they will continue to bring you down. 

Eliminate destructive self-talk. Focus on changing each negative message to one that is affirming and constructive. Be willing to come to terms with the past and learn to live in the present to prepare for the future. Boost your self-confidence by listing your goals and taking the steps you need in order to achieve them. 

–Simma Lieberman, Career Coach