Doubt Not - Four Ways to Nurture Healthy Self-confidence

"If you have faith in God and yourself, you can accomplish anything. Don't doubt your potential and ability." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

I easily doubt myself when distracted by the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

The critical voices in my head chirp away, reminding me of some false need to measure up. Soon, doubt arises that I have what it takes to succeed.

Perhaps you, too, experience the overwhelming feeling occasional self-doubt can create.

When this happens, four things work for me to gain a value-added perspective on my situation and provide a well-deserved confidence boost.

You may find them helpful to support your confidence when self-doubts arise.

First, practice self-compassion.

"Remember that it is your divine birthright to be kind to yourself as well as to others." - Bonnie L. Oscarson

Everyone makes mistakes. We tend to be more kind to others when they screw up. But it is also essential to take time for yourself when you make a mistake or fall short of your goals. Instead of beating yourself up about it, use this opportunity to learn from your mistakes, grow as an individual, and move on.

Secondly, focus on progress over perfection.

"God asks us to do our best, but he does not expect us to be perfect; perfection is His business, not ours." -David A Bednar

Or, if you are a fan of NCIS, this saying might be familiar:

"Be patient. It's about progress, not perfection." -LeRoy Jethro Gibbs (a fictional character in the original NCIS series.)

Instead of getting caught up in comparing yourself to others, remember that success isn't measured by perfection but by how much progress you make each day toward your goal(s). 

Equally celebrating small successes and failures enables us to reach our full potential!

Third, trust in yourself and always remember why you started in the first place.

"When we have faith and trust in ourselves, it takes away anxieties and fears for the future—we can let go of those things and move forward with confidence." - Boyd K Packer

It's easy to lose sight of why we began a project or venture in the first place. But reminding ourselves what brought us there can help re-establish our focus on the immediate task. Don't forget to listen to your inner voice — this is more than simple instinct. It is the Holy Ghost and will guide the direction your journey should take next! Baptized and confirmed members of the Church are blessed to have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion. So why not take the time to listen to what he has to share?

But this tactic only works when you are willing to put in the effort and take the first steps. The Spirit cannot drive a parked car!

Finally, build alliances with the right people!

"Surround yourself with people who will challenge you to be better and reach higher." - Spencer W Kimball

Adding a second punch to the words of President Kimball above, Joseph B Wirthlin also said, "You become like the friends and associates you choose; when you associate with wise and good individuals, their examples will be a benefit to you."

It is wise to surround ourselves with people who lift us and encourage us as we strive to improve ourselves. 

Surrounding ourselves with the right group of people can be a challenge of hard choices. It means avoiding naysayers, inexperienced know-it-alls, and jealous types of people. 

Naysayers put a damper on our dreams and ambitions by telling us that our goals are too difficult or impossible to achieve.

Inexperienced know-it-alls often think they know best but need more skills and expertise to provide helpful guidance. 

Jealous people usually try to project their own insecurities onto others to make themselves feel better, which can be damaging for both parties involved. 

Setting an atmosphere of positivity is key to personal growth, so choosing the right companions is essential!

Finding your truest allies and building meaningful relationships defines the essence of The Fifty-two Seven Alliance

Parting Thoughts.

We all experience self-doubt at times. But recognizing these feelings, taking actionable steps toward overcoming them, and celebrating every small victory can help get us where we want to be!

"Decide what you want to be...

Pay the Price ...

And be what you want to be." -John A Widtsoe

Thanks for reading and thinking for yourself! Be sure to subscribe to not miss out on future posts.

Russell Anderson

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P.S. Nurturing healthy self-confidence among community members is a big part of what we hope to accomplish with the Fifty-two Seven Alliance. You are invited to join us in that endeavor when you are ready!