Episode 15 - Overcoming Fear and Self-doubt - a podcast by Raina Jain

Fear and self-doubt are undeniably two of the most common obstructions to succeed in life. According to Merriam Webster dictionary, fear is, “an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger.” whereas Doubt on the other hand is - to call into question the truth of: to be uncertain.” It also demonstrates lack of confidence.

We need to understand that fear is a mechanism that has been created to keep us all safe and comfortable. Whether it’s doubt, dishonour, not wanting to fail, or not wanting to be judged, the natural perception of fear tries to hold us back from boldly stepping forward as our strongest, most powerful selves.

Know that self doubt is going to accompany you every time you step out of your comfort zone. Every time you want to accomplish something, from starting a new chapter in your life or changing your career, it’s going to be right there – besides you!

The old conditioned, self-doubt can be a troubling and persuasive voice that holds you back. It holds you back from seizing your opportunities. It makes getting started or finishing things harder than they need to be. The pull push dynamic leads to procrastination and unwillingness. Let me tell you, there is a constant war going between ‘what your mind tells you and what really is the truth’. Your energies are divided and clearly you become your worst enemy. You need to realise that there is a conflict, an internal conflict which is unresolved and needs to be worked upon.

If not addressed, fear and self-doubt can prevent you from experiencing illuminating possibilities that life has to offer you.

I want you to understand that self-doubt starts in the mind when you start questioning everything that you do and then it shows up in your actions. Now, this can be a good thing or can sometimes be toxic. Positive in a way where your decisions are realistic and are well-thought in terms of observing your thoughts all over again. Negative in a way where you tend to become an extreme person – black or white thinking. Where you do not have space for gray areas in life. All or nothing kind of thinking. And this leads to labeling yourself, for instance – I am a loser, I can’t do this, I will fail again. That’s where you tend to give into your core beliefs that have developed over the years which are usually not true. Which then leads to catastrophizing – meaning thinking of the worse case scenarios and stressing about it. Negative thinking can lead to more anxiety and depression in people. Don't give these thoughts a passage to your life. Do not allow these beliefs to become a barricade to learn the most from your experiences. As Elizabeth Gilbert said in her book Big Magic: “Your fear should always be allowed to have a voice, and a seat in the vehicle of your life. But whatever you do — don’t let your fear DRIVE.”

“Wherever you are in your journey, I hope you, too, will keep encountering challenges. It is a blessing to be able to survive them, to be able to keep putting one foot in front of the other—to be in a position to make the climb up life’s mountain, knowing that the summit still lies ahead. And every experience is a valuable teacher.” Oprah Winfrey

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