12 simple techniques strong people use to combat self-doubt and fear
Ever found yourself doubting your abilities? Or feeling a bit scared about what’s coming up?
You’re not alone. We all have those moments.
But here’s the good news. There are some really simple tricks strong people use to fight off those feelings.
And we’re going to share these tips with you today.
These techniques are so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t tried them sooner.
So, are you ready? Let’s get started and dive into these simple techniques to combat self-doubt and fear.
Who knows, you might learn something new!
1) Embrace failure
Ever messed up and felt like the world was ending? We’ve all been there.
But here’s a secret that strong people know; failure isn’t the end of the world. It’s actually a stepping stone to success.
They understand that every stumble, every fall, is a lesson in disguise. Instead of running away from failure, they embrace it. They learn from it.
And you can do that too. So next time you mess up, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?”
Trust us, it’ll change your perspective and help combat that gnawing self-doubt.
2) Practice positive self-talk
Ever heard that saying, “We are our own worst critics”? It’s so true, isn’t it? We often talk to ourselves in ways we would never talk to anyone else.
But strong people? They do the exact opposite. They practice positive self-talk. They are kind and encouraging to themselves, especially during tough times.
Now, this isn’t about lying to yourself or living in a fantasy world. It’s about acknowledging your strengths and celebrating your victories, big or small.
So why not give it a try? The next time you’re feeling down, remind yourself of how awesome you are. You’ll be surprised at how this simple change can help chase away fear and self-doubt.
3) Set achievable goals
Who doesn’t love the idea of achieving big, audacious goals? But sometimes, when the goal is too big or too far away, it can feel overwhelming.
That’s why strong people break it down into smaller, achievable goals. This helps to keep them motivated and reduces self-doubt.
Here’s something I personally do: I used to get really anxious about public speaking. The thought of standing in front of a crowd would just fill me with dread.
So I set myself a small goal. I decided to speak at small gatherings and work my way up. First, it was a group of 10 people, then 20, then 50. With each small victory, my confidence grew and my fear shrank.
Before I knew it, I was speaking in front of hundreds of people – something I never thought I could do!
So remember, big goals are great but don’t let them intimidate you. Break them down into smaller chunks and celebrate each victory along the way. Trust me, it works!
4) Surround yourself with positive influences
Strong people know the importance of being around positivity. They surround themselves with people who lift them up, not those who pull them down. They understand that the company we keep can significantly impact our mindset and self-esteem..
So, take a moment to look at your social circle. Are they positive influences? If not, it might be time to make some changes.
Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people can really help to squash self-doubt and fear.
5) Believe in yourself
This may sound like a cliché, but it’s true: believing in yourself is one of the most powerful tools to combat self-doubt and fear.
Strong people trust their abilities and believe that they can overcome challenges. This isn’t always easy. We all have moments of doubt and uncertainty. But it’s during these moments that believing in yourself matters the most.
Remember, you are unique.
You have talents and skills that no one else has. You have overcome obstacles before, and you can do it again.
So whenever self-doubt creeps in, take a deep breath, remind yourself of your strength and believe that you can handle whatever comes your way.
It’s not about being perfect; it’s about trusting in your ability to persevere, grow, and learn from every experience.
6) Take care of your health
It’s no secret that there’s a strong connection between our physical health and mental state. When we’re feeling physically good, we’re more likely to feel mentally strong. That’s why strong people make sure to take care of their health.
Here’s a bit about my own experience: I used to constantly find myself feeling anxious and doubting my capabilities.
It wasn’t until I started making some changes to my lifestyle that I noticed a shift in my mindset. Regular exercise, balanced meals, and adequate sleep became my mantra.
As I took better care of my body, I found my self-doubt and fear gradually diminishing. I felt stronger, not just physically but mentally too. It was as if taking care of my body gave me an extra layer of armor against self-doubt and fear.
So remember, your body is your most valuable asset. Take good care of it, and it will take good care of you.
7) Accept your imperfect self
Let’s get real for a second. We all have flaws. Yes, every single one of us. Strong people, too.
The difference? They accept their imperfections instead of letting them fuel self-doubt and fear.
We live in a world that often expects us to be perfect. It’s easy to look at someone else’s life, especially on social media, and think they have it all together.
But that’s not reality. Everyone has things they’re insecure about, things they wish they could change.
Learning to accept your imperfect self can be a game-changer. It doesn’t mean you stop trying to improve or grow. Instead, it’s about understanding that it’s ok to be a work in progress.
So let’s cut ourselves some slack. Embrace your flaws as part of what makes you, you. You’ll find that once you start accepting yourself, warts and all, self-doubt and fear will start losing their grip on you.
8) Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is a powerful tool that strong people often use to combat self-doubt and fear. Being present and focused on the current moment helps to reduce anxiety and promotes a more positive outlook.
Now, here’s an interesting fact: Research from Johns Hopkins University suggests that mindfulness meditation can help ease psychological stresses like anxiety, depression, and pain.
The next time you find yourself overwhelmed by self-doubt or fear, take a moment. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Be present in the moment.
You may be surprised at how this simple practice can help calm your mind and give you a fresh perspective.
9) Invest in learning and development
Strong people never stop learning. They understand that knowledge boosts confidence and helps stave off self-doubt. This is something I personally swear by.
A few years back, I was feeling stuck in my career. I doubted my skills and was constantly scared of falling behind.
That’s when I decided to invest in my learning and development. I took courses, attended workshops, read books – anything that could help me expand my knowledge and skills.
And guess what? It made a massive difference. Not only did I become better at my job, but my self-doubt began to fade away. The more I learned, the more confident I felt.
It’s never too late to learn something new. Investing in your knowledge and skills can be a game-changer when it comes to battling self-doubt and fear.
10) Don’t compare yourself to others
Comparing ourselves to others is a one-way ticket to self-doubt city.
Strong people know this and avoid the comparison trap. They understand that everyone is on their own unique journey, with different challenges and victories.
It’s easy to look at someone else’s success and feel like you’re falling short. But think about it — you’re only seeing a small piece of their story. You don’t know the struggles they’ve faced or the sacrifices they’ve made.
So next time you’re tempted to compare yourself to others, stop. Remind yourself of your own achievements. Celebrate your progress. You’re doing better than you think.
11) Take action despite fear
Here’s a hard truth: Fear never completely goes away. But strong people don’t let fear stop them from taking action. They understand that growth happens outside of our comfort zones.
It’s natural to feel scared when trying something new or taking a risk. But don’t let that fear paralyze you. Instead, use it as fuel to propel you forward.
Every step you take, no matter how small, is progress. So take that step, even if your knees are shaking. Otherwise, you’ll never know how far you can go.
12) Express gratitude
Gratitude might seem like an odd tool for combating self-doubt and fear, but it’s incredibly powerful. When we focus on what we’re grateful for, it shifts our mindset from lack to abundance.
It’s easy to get caught up in what we don’t have or what we haven’t achieved yet. But by expressing gratitude for what we do have, we remind ourselves of our own value and worth.
If you don’t have a gratitude practice yet, start each day by listing three things you’re grateful for. It can be as simple as a hot cup of coffee or a smile from a stranger. This small shift in focus can have a big impact on your self-belief and courage.