Have you ever had an idea, a goal, or a project that lit you up—only to feel crushed by doubt before you even started? You’re not alone.
Since launching Bliss Careers, I’ve been struck by the number of people telling me how courageous I must be to start a company and share my ideas on career fulfillment on LinkedIn.
They shared their visions of fulfilling careers, successful businesses, and passion projects they wanted to start.
Then they shared the self-doubt they were trying to eradicate and the fears that manifested from their self-doubt – fears of failure, success, rejection, ridicule, and not being fully prepared despite their immense qualifications.
They assumed I’d found a magical remedy to eliminate doubt. Well, I haven’t. When I shared this they were surprised, relieved, and inspired.
But here’s a reframe to consider: doubt is often a signal that you’re aiming for something bigger. It tends to appear when you’re stepping outside your comfort zone, which is where all growth happens. Recognizing doubt as a natural response to ambition can help you see it as a companion on your journey—not a roadblock.
We need to have more open conversations around doubt to highlight the universality of the experience, see that we’re not alone, and be empowered to act in spite of it.
In this article, we’ll shine a light on self-doubt with the hope that together we can lessen its power over us, tip the scales in favour of self-belief, and get to the important work of creating the careers and businesses that call to us.
Seeing Through the Illusion of Doubt
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” – William Shakespeare
Self-doubt is not a solo experience.
It’s a human experience.
The people you admire did not find a remedy to eradicate doubt before they took the first steps to create successful careers and businesses.
Doubt comes hand in hand with the exploration of experiences that are beyond our comfort zones because of our uncertainty around the outcome.
Doubt holds us back from growth, keeping us in unfulfilling careers that sap our energy and potential.
The unfortunate news? There isn’t a remedy that you have yet to discover that will eradicate all signs of self-doubt.
Here’s the good news: You can free yourself from self-doubt’s grip and achieve the career or business you’ve dreamed of.
Doubt is an illusion.
You only see it for what it is once you’ve taken action.
It’s also an opportunity for you to double down on your intention and practice the art of doing things that stretch you beyond your comfort zone and expand your life experience.
Before we explore how doubt holds us back, let’s examine the subtle ways it operates in our careers.
The Hidden Ways Doubt Sabotages Your Career
“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – Suzy Kassem
Doubt sabotages our careers and holds us back in a multitude of ways:
- We Don’t Apply for Dream Jobs: We don’t apply for roles that we’re qualified and excited for because we doubt that we’ll be successful in securing them. We don’t want to experience the discomfort of rejection or disappointment.
- We Keep Our Ideas to Ourselves in Meetings: We don’t speak up and share our ideas in meetings because we’re afraid of embarrassing ourselves or being proven wrong in front of others.
- We Don’t Advocate for Ourselves: We hesitate to ask for higher compensation, exciting projects, new responsibilities, mentorship, training, or resolutions to issues because we’re afraid of being seen as difficult or doubt that our request will be successful.
These are a few common examples. Take a moment to reflect on how you’ve allowed doubt to sabotage your career.
What’s one opportunity you missed because of self-doubt? How might you approach it differently today?
What would life be like if you tipped the scales in favour of self-belief?
From Self-Doubt to Self-Belief: A Practical Guide
Self-doubt is a practiced habit—but because it’s learned, it can be unlearned. Surprisingly, doubt doesn’t discriminate based on skill or experience. No matter how qualified you are, it can creep in at every stage of growth.
Here’s how to break free:
- Recognize the Habit
Acknowledge that doubt is a natural response to stepping outside your comfort zone. Treat it as a harmless passenger, not the driver of your decisions.
- Challenge the Thought
Ask yourself, “Is this thought true? What evidence do I have?” You’ll often find doubt is based on fear, not fact.
- Reframe the Narrative
Instead of asking, “What if I fail?” try, “What if I succeed beyond my wildest expectations?” Shift your focus to possibilities instead of pitfalls.
- Leverage Proven Support Systems
Sometimes, breaking free from doubt requires external support. Frameworks like The Standout Candidate are designed to help you build confidence, identify clear strategies, and take courageous steps toward the career you deserve. Surrounding yourself with the right resources can make the path feel less daunting.
- Focus on Process Instead of Outcome
Focusing on outcomes leads to attempts to control variables and feelings of anxiety. Instead, focus on the process.
- Celebrate the Process
Success isn’t just the outcome—it’s the courage to take action. Celebrate each milestone, no matter how small, as proof of your growth.
- Lean Into Your Vision
Reflect on the life you’ll create when you move beyond doubt. And if you need a nudge, imagine the alternative: a mediocre life dictated by fear instead of ambition.
If you need a stronger nudge, reflect on the work of Bronnie Ware, who during her time as a palliative carer found that one of The Top Five Regrets of the Dying was “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
Remember, doubts will show up.
In many ways, this is a part of the process, so don’t be surprised.
When they do, acknowledge them like the harmless little gremlin they are and focus on the important work of elevating your career to one that’s fulfilling, energizing, and gives you space to thrive.
Doubt might always be a passenger, but it doesn’t have to drive. Take that first step, and you’ll be amazed at how much is possible when you trust yourself and act anyway.
Where will you let courage take you next?
I hope this inspires you to take that first step toward creating the career and life your heart truly desires.
Andrea
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👋 Meet Andrea
Hello! I’m Andrea, Founder of Bliss Careers. I’m passionate about transforming careers by aligning people with their true values and strengths. Through Bliss Careers, I empower professionals to elevate their job search strategies, boost confidence, and thrive in work and life by integrating mindfulness and self-care.
