How to Stop Doubt From Getting in the Way of Your Goals

The No-Excuses advice that is working for me now

What would you list as one thing getting in the way of your success?

• Time?
• Skills?
• Opportunity?

What if and I do mean if….it’s none of those.

What if the answer is more basic?

Chasing the validation rabbit

Many, many moons ago, I completed a university degree with a major in Fine Arts. Even though I had a piece of paper validating I was proficient in that area, I didn’t pursue an art career and ignored developing my art skills.

Once I discovered the marvelous innovations of the iPad, Apple Pencil and Procreate app, my love of all things art was reignited.

It was a match made in heaven—all the art goodness without cleanup. With new discoveries come new skills to be learned.

Like a fish to water, I dove in and loved every learning moment, sort of….

My one regret is not keeping up with my passion for art.

There really was only one thing standing in the way of me actively pursuing an art career…..me!

Seeing the truth

For as long as I can remember, I had insecurities coming out of my yin/yang.

Now looking back, I can accept that the university did not grant me a degree out of the kindness of their financial heart.

I did the work and got a passing grade.

I earned that degree.

Even though I knew my stuff, I allowed my insecurities to convince me that I was not good enough.

In a twisted way, I was looking for validation that I already had.

However, I had convinced myself that people were not being sincere and just being nice to the poor, untalented, fat girl.

With age comes wisdom and my perspective has done a 180-degree turn since then.

Polite niceties are not the most helpful if you want to improve your skills.

For way too long, I took constructive feedback personally. I made it about my failure as a person rather than fodder for growth. After all, you can’t change what you don’t know about.

The turning point

You already possess what you need to succeed.

You could be the only one standing in your way if you are giving too much power to your insecurities.

Time, skills or opportunity are excuses that mask fears.

When you doubt yourself, you doubt your potential.

You waste time looking for proof you can do something and not fail instead of actually taking action, failing, and then trying again with the information you learned from failing.

My art improved when I continued to keep learning from my failures.

My writing improved when I listened to constructive feedback from mentors.

• It’s not a lack of time but a lack of priorities.
• It’s not a lack of skills but a lack of patience to learn.
• It’s not a lack of opportunity but a lack of confidence to go for it.

You might feel like an imposter right now, but that’s your insecurities talking.

It’s natural for newbies to doubt. At some point, you will have to move past that point of doubt and bet on yourself.

No one else has a combination of experience, skills and lived perspective as you. From that vantage point, you have way more to offer than you might think.

You have been through sh*t and evolved.

Share that.

Others need to know what you discovered.

• What have others told you that you are good at?

Harness the validating power from that information.

• What have you always loved doing that inspired you?

Make time to do it and bask in the endorphin high.

• What are your insecurities constantly telling you?

Dig down to the root and decide if it’s actually true or not.

If you truly want to pursue your dreams, it starts with the mindset you allow to dominate.

Insecurities are natural. However, you have the power not to let them become the reason you don’t go after the goals you want.

Start small.

Start simple.

Most importantly, start!

Do you feel like you’re in an endless battle with your insecurities?

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