Curing Self-Doubt

“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” 
― William Shakespeare 

The power to make yourself happy is within you and similarly the power to destroy yourself is also within you. The easiest way to destroy yourself and lay waste on your efforts is by indulging in self-doubt. 

Self-doubt can be very persuasive in stopping you from taking up opportunities. And we can just regret about the opportunities we didn't take. Self-doubt stops you from seizing opportunities and it holds you back from getting started. Introspection can surely be useful and helps you in facing your shortcomings and stop you from doing foolish things. Make sure introspection doesn't lead to self-doubt.

“If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” 
― Vincent van Gogh

Whenever you are trying to seize an opportunity and you find self-doubt creeping up, make sure you suppress the self-doubt then and there. You will never know the result until you take up the opportunity. 

Sometimes the best way to overcome your doubts and fear is to work with blank mind.

“I seek strength, not to be greater than other, but to fight my greatest enemy, the doubts within myself” 

Self-doubt is like termite. It stays within you and slowly starts eating you up. It stops you from exploring new limits and horizons.

“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” 
― Suzy Kassem

We doubt because we care, but alas people don't care as much as we think. We bring pressure on ourselves and indulge in self-doubt. If we believe in ourselves more than we doubt, than probably there would be no problem in our lives. 

“Never allow opinions of others to disturb your inner tranquillity.” 
― Lailah Gifty Akita, Think Great: Be Great!

When we doubt ourselves, it is good to talk to someone about it. Especially someone who can guide you, motivate you and fill you up with optimism. And sometimes even if they cannot motivate you, it is good to lighten yourself up. Sometimes we just need to hear from others what we already believe and sometimes what we don't.

“Believe in yourself, your abilities and your own potential. Never let self-doubt hold you captive. You are worthy of all that you dream of and hope for.” 
― Roy Bennett

Whenever you don't get desired result, don't lose your moral and doubt yourself. All setbacks are temporary and failing once doesn't mean you are a failure. Which sailor hasn't faced storm on his conquest? Winning or losing is not important, what is important is that you took a chance, a chance which many scared heart would have by passed. Losing makes you a failure only when you fail to learn from your mistakes. Those who forget their past mistakes are condemned to repeat them.

“Why is hard to believe than to doubt?” 
― Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind

To doubt is easy, but to believe is difficult. But once we start believing in ourselves and our skills, there is hardly anything that can stop us. If not winning, the belief will at least give you the courage to take up the chance and seize the opportunity. 

“So often we quit on the first failure. We must persistent long enough to achieve success.” 
― Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind

Don't give up just yet, you are better than you think. You can do amazing things once you believe you can. You have doubted yourself enough, now try believing in yourself and see where it leads you. We are captive of our own thoughts and to fight them, we have to wage a war ourselves. Rather than questioning yourself over raised brows of people, seek answers for yourself. Nobody cares what you do, what you say, they are too busy, so whatever you do, do it for yourself. You are your greatest gift and the best you have got, so believe and win. 

Just believe.