8 Ways to Overcome Self-Doubt

We’ve all had moments where we feel like we don’t measure up, whether it’s at school, work, or just in general. Sometimes you may even feel a bit of imposter syndrome -- as if at any moment folks will realize you’re not as capable as they thought you were (disclaimer: this is simply...not true). The good news is that there are a few things you can do to keep your self-doubt at bay and your inner critic quiet. In the words of Canadian rap icon Drake, “Know yourself, know your worth.” Here’s how.

Don’t let self-doubt stop you and your friends on your way to achieving your dreams. Through DoSomething’s Give Más, Get Más campaign, powered by the Taco Bell Foundation, share a card to show your friends that you have their back.

1. Talk about it.

Self-doubt lives in your thoughts, so sometimes the best thing you can do is get out of your own head. Talking about your fears and doubts with a trusted friend or mentor helps give you a little more perspective on the situation. (And if your friends are anything like ours, they’ll be sure to hype you up and remind you just how talented you really are.)

2. Speak to yourself with kindness.

Sometimes we can be our own worst critics, and our internal dialogues might be less than encouraging. It’s time to relearn the way we think about ourselves and our worth, one positive affirmation at a time (if it helps, pretend like you’re speaking to a friend who needs a pep talk). It might feel silly at first, but repeat them enough, and you’ll start to believe. Here are a few examples:

• “Just because I feel dumb doesn’t mean that I am.”
• “I may not know all the answers, but I’m smart enough to find out.”
• “I worked hard to be here, and I belong here.”
• “I am allowed to make mistakes, just like everyone else.”

3. Write it out.

There are some things you just know you’re good at, or things you’re really proud of achieving -- so get it in writing! Make a list of your talents, skills, accomplishments, and successes (and remember to take time to reflect and celebrate each of them)! Seeing it all written out can be a helpful reminder of all the things that make you great.

4. Get inspired by folks who’ve been there.

One of the sneaky things about self-doubt is its ability to make you feel really alone in your experiences. As it turns out, there are actually TONS of people who struggle with self-doubt, including some pretty famous folks like Zendaya, Jonathan Van Ness, Marsai Martin, and Harry Styles. Take it from them, it gets better.

5. Collect your compliments.

For whatever reason, kind words tend to feel especially meaningful when they’re coming from someone else -- it’s just hard to remember that praise when you’re swamped with negative thoughts. So make it easier on yourself by keeping it all in one place! The next time your teacher sends you a kind email or you get a really sweet text from a friend, take a screenshot and put it in a folder on your phone or desktop. You can open it and bask in the compliments whenever you need a quick pick-me-up.

6. Be an expert sometimes.

If you need a reminder of just how good you are at the things you do, spend some time teaching those skills to someone else. After all, everyone starts somewhere, and your progress becomes really clear when you mentor folks who are just beginning. Tutor younger students in your favorite subject, give your sibling a quick music lesson, coach a local youth sports team -- whatever it is you’re passionate about, teach it!

7. Stop comparing yourself to others (or, ya know, do your best).

We don’t know who needs to hear this, but someone else’s success is NOT your failure (even if it feels like it sometimes). So don’t judge your own value in comparison to others. An easy way to step away from these kinds of thoughts is to take a break from social media. You’ll usually only ever find the best parts of folks’ lives posted online, and a non-stop highlight reel isn’t the most helpful when you’re trying to stay grounded in your own journey.

8. Build up your confidence muscle.

We’re going to be honest with you. There’s not a single thing that you can do today to completely and permanently wipe out your self-doubt tomorrow (we’re actually not sure that there’s a way to do that...ever). But there are small things you can do regularly that’ll build your confidence over time -- think of it like a muscle that you have to train and grow. Start doing small things that scare you (smile at a stranger, try a new hairstyle, go to an event alone, etc.) and work your way up to the big stuff.