Confidence Begins Where Self-Doubt Ends

Trust is often associated with relationships. But what about your relationship with yourself? You can get so caught up thinking about other people you can forget the person whom you should trust most is YOU.

Having faith in yourself and your instincts is fundamental to effective decision making, and yet, so many people don’t have confidence in themselves, their ability to do hard things, and their gut instincts. How many times have you wished you had gone with your gut after making an important choice? Probably more times than you can count!

Trusting your gut

Those gut feelings have meaning and value, are worthy of your trust, and can come with a powerful inner compass: your instincts. This is the result of accumulated knowledge, experiences, and emotional insight that provides guidance when logic alone falls short.

Throughout your life, you've learned from both successes and mistakes, both of which are equally important as you build your body of wisdom. Listening to your gut can help you make decisions that resonate deeply with who you are and what you truly want. The best part is that, as time passes, this knowledge becomes sharper and deeper.

Betting on yourself

You possess a unique perspective, informed by your life experiences. But regardless of how much experience you have, big decisions are rarely easy. Should you start a business? Invest in a home? Go back to school?

When faced with these questions, taking a step back can help. In your head is everything you know, the risks, projected rewards, and possible side effects of your choice. In your heart, you know what you really want, what you need, and how your choices may impact your happiness.

Balancing the two perspectives can be difficult and can be an exercise requiring core conviction. You have to believe you’re focusing on the right data to draw educated conclusions. You also need to have confidence that you can be honest and true to what you really want.

An essential for entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs live by betting on themselves.

When you’re leading a business, believing you will make the best possible decisions for your organization and your team is fundamental to success. But business owners aren’t immune to self-doubt and low confidence.

Unfortunately, the impacts of this kind of indecision can have negative results. In addition to impacting your company, doubting your own judgment can create a cycle of hesitation and second-guessing that can lead to missed opportunities and regret.

What’s more, self-doubt breeds ambivalence, which can paralyze you at critical moments. When you doubt your capabilities or instincts, your confidence and sense of agency are diminished, leaving you to rely on external sources for validation. You can even lose sight of your unique perspective.

Find your sounding board.

You don’t always have to do everything alone. Whether you’re a business owner, or simply struggling to have faith in your inner voice, the opinion of an outsider can be helpful.

A sounding board isn’t necessarily a mentor, although they can be. This is a person you feel comfortable talking to, not necessarily someone you see as having all the answers. You’re looking for a fresh perspective to help you work through whatever situation you’re in.

You may already have a sounding board right in front of you—a workplace peer, valued friend, or someone you met at an event who shares professional concerns. Finding a confidant and cultivating a nurturing relationship can help you build confidence in your decision-making. Not having a person like this in your life while still doubting yourself can be isolating.

When you’re struggling with trust, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many entrepreneurs—and professionals in general—struggle to ask for input, mistaking it for a sign of weakness. But seeking insight from someone you can rely on is often the smartest, fastest way to gain clarity and move forward. No one should face life alone, whether you need to build faith in yourself or seek guidance before making a significant choice.

Distrust in yourself can cause hesitation that results in a missed opportunity. Many chances only come around once, and you don’t want to lose out on a chance that could change your life. Instead, find a way to believe in the voice within. Believe in your gut. Have confidence in your instincts. And lean on the power of your inner compass. You have a lifetime of wisdom!