It’s not always easy to spot, but self-doubt can significantly impact a person’s choices and behavior, often without them even realizing it.

It has a way of holding people back from reaching their full potential, influencing everything from their decision-making process to their willingness to embrace new opportunities. 

With this in mind, we dive into seven key behaviors that could indicate someone is struggling with this. 

Understanding these signs can help us offer the right support, empowering those around us to overcome their uncertainties and step into a more confident version of themselves. 

Let’s get to it. 

1) Overthinking decisions

Do you know someone who analyzes every last detail before making even the smallest decisions? 

This is a big sign. This behavior is essentially another result of being unconfident in their decision-making abilities. 

And research backs it up. A survey by PsychTests.com involving over 12,000 individuals revealed that a staggering 80% of individuals plagued by self-doubt find themselves over-analyzing situations.

This “paralysis by analysis” highlights the fear of making the wrong choice, impacting even the most trivial decisions. The dread of potential error looms large, turning straightforward choices into monumental dilemmas.

How to help someone with this

Psychologist Mark Travers suggests a few key strategies: it’s crucial for individuals to avoid procrastination, not to overburden themselves with too many choices, and to ensure that their decisions are in line with their core values. 

By focusing on these areas, those struggling with this can start to cut through the noise of their doubts, making choices with greater clarity and confidence.

If you notice this behavior in someone, there’s a good chance they also do this next thing. 

2) Constantly seeking reassurance

What do people do when they aren’t confident in their own decision-making abilities?

Well, many seek reassurance. 

In the same survey, 54% of those plagued by self-doubt didn’t feel confident about a decision unless it was endorsed by others.

This incessant need for approval is a shield against their internal uncertainties, a way to silence the persistent voice of doubt whispering in their ear. 

How to help someone with this

Supporting someone who’s constantly seeking reassurance requires patience and understanding. 

Start by affirming their feelings without directly feeding into their need for constant validation. 

Encourage them to trust their instincts and to reflect on past successes where they’ve made decisions independently. 

Empowering them to build confidence in their own judgment is key to helping them overcome this dependency on external approval.

3) Avoiding new challenges

Picture this: a colleague at work, or perhaps a friend, who always seems to find a reason to steer clear of tasks that veer even slightly from what they’re accustomed to. They shy away from projects that demand new skills or situations that might expose them to unfamiliar scenarios.

Sound familiar?

This behavior might be rooted in self-doubt. 

The previously mentioned research revealed that 66% of individuals filled with self-doubt experience a sense of panic when faced with tasks that nudge them even slightly out of their comfort zones. This is a stark contrast to the mere 9% of “self-believers” who react this way. 

This avoidance is a clear manifestation of self-doubt, with the fear of failure acting as a barrier against stepping into potentially rewarding new territories.

How to help someone with this

Encouraging someone to embrace new challenges starts with fostering a safe environment for taking risks. 

• Highlight the value of growth that comes from trying new things, even if success isn’t guaranteed. 
• Break larger, daunting tasks into smaller, more manageable steps to help them build confidence gradually. 
• Then, celebrate their efforts and progress, regardless of the outcome, to reinforce the idea that it’s the journey of learning and growth that truly matters, not just the destination.

4) Not asking for what they want 

An astounding 72% of individuals filled with self-doubt hesitate to ask for what they want, even when they believe they deserve it. Moreover, 62% refrain from sharing their ideas, fearing ridicule. 

This reluctance can complicate collaboration and communication, especially in work environments. It’s crucial, then, to empower those battling self-doubt to express their wants and needs clearly. 

How to help someone with this

In a Psychology Today article, psychotherapist Tonya Lester outlines three key strategies for effective communication: setting the stage to ensure the listener is attentive, being direct and concise, and expressing gratitude for the listener’s time and consideration. 

Sharing these tips with someone grappling with self-doubt could be a game-changer for them.

Encourage them to practice clear and assertive communication in low-stakes situations to build confidence. Role-playing scenarios where they express their needs can also be helpful, providing a rehearsal space for real-life conversations. 

5) Giving up easily

This point may come off as harsh. But, again, the numbers suggest it is the case. 

When faced with something they’re not immediately good at, 36% of individuals with self-doubt would rather throw in the towel than dedicate more time and effort to improve. Perhaps more shocking, 59% embark on projects or goals that they ultimately abandon.

Publications like INC have also highlighted that a lack of self-belief often leads people to give up prematurely.

How to help someone with this

As you might have guessed, this tendency to give up easily can prevent individuals from realizing their full potential. They see failures as endpoints rather than learning opportunities. 

To counter this, it’s crucial to foster confidence and resilience. 

Here at Global English Editing, we’ve already delved into these themes extensively. For those looking to bolster their confidence and resilience, these posts can be a great starting point:

• If you want to be more confident in life, say goodbye to these 10 behaviors
• If you really want to be resilient in life, say goodbye to these 9 behaviors

6) Perfectionism

Those grappling with self-doubt often set the bar impossibly high, crafting standards that are often unrealistic and invariably unattainable. 

This quest for the flawless not only breeds a profound sense of dissatisfaction but also magnifies the fear of judgment, creating a cycle where one’s work is never quite “good enough.”

How to help someone with this

Assisting someone entangled in the snares of perfectionism involves gently guiding them toward accepting imperfection as not just inevitable but valuable. 

Encourage them to set more realistic and achievable goals, emphasizing progress over perfection. Celebrate the effort and improvement rather than the flawless completion of tasks. Introduce the concept of “good enough” and foster an environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning and growth, not as failures. 

It will take time and effort, but by shifting the focus from the end result to the journey of creation and effort, you can help instill a healthier, more balanced approach to tasks and goals, one where self-worth isn’t tied to the unachievable ideal of perfection.

7) Downplaying achievements

This last behavior on our list is by no means the least significant. Ever noticed how some people brush off their accomplishments, no matter how significant? 

63% of individuals prone to self-doubt tend to downplay their achievements.

This tendency not only undermines their confidence but also keeps them trapped in a cycle of self-doubt, preventing them from fully recognizing and embracing their own worth and capabilities.

How to help someone with this

Start by highlighting their successes, both big and small, and openly discussing the effort and skill that led to those accomplishments. 

Creating a culture of recognition, where achievements are celebrated and acknowledged, can help counteract their instinct to minimize their successes. 

Encourage them to keep a record of their achievements and revisit it when they feel overwhelmed by doubt. This tangible reminder can serve as a powerful tool in building self-esteem and fostering a more positive self-perception.

The bottom line

I’d like to end on a positive note, but as you’ve probably gathered, these behaviors are mostly self-sabotaging. 

It is, therefore, so important to help the people we care about to ditch them. Like any major change, it will take time and conscious effort, but it will be well worth it. 

As always, I hope you found this post valuable. 

Until next time.