| By Daphne Michaels, Special for The Times USA |
Here is some advice that may save you a lot of anguish on your path to success. Be aware of hidden ravines of self-doubt along the way. Self-doubt can be crippling — it can keep you up at night second guessing yourself; it can undermine your plans and pull you into hopelessness.
While no-one — not even the most successful among us — are immune to self-doubt, getting stuck in a ravine is very dangerous. It will set you up for certain failure. Because of this it is crucial that you recognize self-doubt as soon as it appears in your life.
Self-doubt may be as subtle as feeling a little off center … or as bold as not being able to pick up the phone and make the call for that important opportunity. Self-doubt can masquerade as lack of confidence, distraction or even boredom.
A good way to recognize self-doubt is to take inventory of what you’re not doing rather than what you are doing. Have you been less productive, less engaged — contributing less? If so, you may have fallen into a ravine of self-doubt.
There is good news. You can easily rise above ravines of self-doubt when you recognize them. All you need to do is reconnect with your intention to be successful. Self-doubt is nothing more than a scrambled compass. Perhaps your thoughts are going in too many directions at once. Or you are haunted by past experiences of embarrassment or humiliation. Or you’re anxious about an uncertain future.
The secret to rising above ravines of self-doubt is found in resetting your inner compass. Reorient yourself to your true north by recalling your desire to do your best, be your best and have the best that life has to offer. Remind yourself that you are capable of achieving success, regardless of how many ravines of self-doubt you must navigate to arrive at your chosen destination in life.
Daphne Michaels is a leading expert in human potential and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling book, Mountaintop Prosperity: Move Quickly to New Heights in Life, Work and Money. She has helped thousands of people for more that 20 years with her innovative, progressive, and inspirational guidance. Daphne’s lifelong journey includes formal training in the social sciences and integral psychology and rewarding work as a licensed psychotherapist and executive consultant. She is endorsed by New York Times bestselling authors and the national media and listed with the top-rated All American Speakers bureau. Daphne is a regular guest offering business advice and expert commentary on The Price of Business and other nationally syndicated BizTalk radio programs.
