How To Overcome Self-Doubt In One Simple Step

Another great post…. each one more inspiring than the next. I look forward to your blog posts every week. They lift me up and give me that kick in the butt I was waiting for.

Another awesome reflection, dude! I am always struggling with self doubt. Definitely a crippler if you allow. I’m gonna print this and read each time I think I can’t. Thanks

That was just the kick in the ass I needed this morning to jump head first into this pile if stuff I’ve got to do today. Send out emails, make up session plans,run errands….gotta go! Cause if I don’t do it,nobody’s gonna do it! Thank you!

Thanks for this perspective, that self doubt is a GOOD thing. I think I’m too comfortable, maybe it’s time to shake things up. Thanks Chris for another inspiring post

this is a vividly honest literary and Inspirational work! I almost thought you had read my mind in the world of self doubt. Thank you for sharing.

Great post Big Chris. I am going to climb that mother today. I am launching a fundraiser to help raise money to send him to do mission work in Taiwan.

Damn… You the real deal Big Chis Guru Ji. You an inspiration sir. Your blogs are life changing. Keep this on Guru Ji. Respect from India.

Awesome brother and flat out well said.

I needed to hear this today. Thank you Chris.

Awesome stuff Chris as per usual

You write fantastic emails and I look forward to opening the inbox every morning. You keep it real and you inform instead of just sell. Keep it up, dont stop, dont just raise your bar get up and jump over it. Sure our self doubt can be a killer but without it we dont ever learn to break our boundries. You keep breaking them Chris and enjoy your journey!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of doubt,
I will fear not myself: For I created it within me;

I am both the tormentor and the tormented
As the Tormented Rises Above the Tormentor

I am free

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of my self worth forever.

Great stuff Chris,

Tony

I am gaining to motivation, attempting to overcome that fear, and step off the cliff to do what I want. Your words have inspired me, the next step is real action!

Thank you!!

Awesome post. Thanks. Even trainers themselves need a lift up. I struggle to write, that self-doubt isn’t very nice. 🙂 Thanks for the lifter. 🙂 Talk soon

“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

”Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

- Calvin Coolidge


If you’re not willing to go “too far” you will never go far enough!

“I didn’t know it at the time, but the trembling I felt that day as I walked into that interview was a good thing. It meant I was knocking down the walls of the little box I had been living in… and was about to make a bigger box” What an amazing, objective and aware way to look at the anxiety and self-doubt that inevitably comes when we attempt to better ourselves by going after our goals.

I often have too much self-doubt and I really appreciate this insight you’ve provided and I am going to remember this post next time I find myself doubting myself. Through this post you have changed the way I perceive my anxiety and that negative defeatist mentality that comes around. Your writing is incredible, powerful, helpful and you are amazingly aware of the bigger picture in life.

I really liked how you related our struggle with self doubt to climbing a mountain and the steepest parts are daunting and scary but perhaps I can think of them as exhilarating and exciting just as the steepest parts of a mountain climb would be. I love climbing, and my excitement for climbing is somehow transferred to my fears, anxiety and self doubt through your clever and polished writing skills. Thanks for the encouragement and helpful words you shared.

Big Chris….. This is personal trainer Michael from New York. Brother….. Not only are you an incredible writer… As you have the gift of a way with words….as not only do you write them…. But… You make us trainers feel every mother f–kin one of them…. Deep into the core of our souls!!!. I am a personal trainer in the gyms and home for the past 32 years… And because of your motivation… I want to take my skills to the next level as I am a single dad with a 11 year old son in special Ed and I want to make more $ to give him a better shot in life!!!…. You are the ROCKY that we all need as our leader!!!!…ROCK ON BIG CHRIS…. I WILL READ AND DIGEST EVERY WORD YOU WRITE!!!!!!!!!

Chris
Post could not have come at a better time. I am starting a new venture, and had the worst dream about it. And of course, it made me apprehensive about staring the biz…. So your words hit the right nerve, I know that to be successful you have to get after it, and let nothing stand in your way; but sometme you just need that little extra kick in the arse to get you going….Thanks for the kick my friend

That summed me up perfectly, feel like stuck in rut with no progression in my career and packed full of self doubt about everything, makes me feel a whole lot better others feel that way as well, and when you look at it with that perspective makes you realise anything is possible!! Cheers big man exactly what I needed to hear.

Cant wait to read your book!!!

Spoken from the side of “aint that the fucking truth”. Great Post. Keeping this one in a folder.

Big Bro Dam Good post ! Been up been down Yr s very high up ! Now Up and down Ok but got to layedback Yes Time to Climb that Fucker again Thank s for setting that Fire under My Fucken Ass Your One Kool Dude!!!

Chris brother this article was awesome, I’m 54 years young and a personal trainer on the side. My present company is downsizing so I’m out of a Job by July 2013, self doubt was hitting me just this past weekend, I work in Atlanta but will relocate to Texas. I’m printing this article now at 2:10 am in the morning and then go train at 5 am. Thanks again for the support and kick you in the pants approach on some positive feedback.

Great post.

Thanks so much it was just what i needed this morning. Its nice to know im not the only one who has self doubt.

Keep up the great work.

Peace x

Chris, I was an English major in college, and it turned me into quite the grammar Nazi. You know when it really pisses me off? When people are trying to use big words to impress and sell some crap program. I have to tell you, I don’t care if you spell every f-ing word in these posts wrong; as long as you keep it coming from the heart, it’s all good.

I really needed this post today. I may just tattoo the whole damned thing on my arm. I AM tired. I DO doubt myself. I DO want more and better for my kids and myself…the only way out of a challenging situation is through it. Thanks for the reminder that I need to get off my ass today.

Big Chris you are becoming quit the guru. I have been following you for years and not only do you have massive amounts of talent but you have a great heart too. I see you with your own TV show one day, I see you doing great things helping many. What makes you so awesome is that people can relate to you and your transparency is like medicine to an ill soul. Keep these killer posts coming.
PS Can’t wait for your book bro, #1 Best Seller for sure!

I was having a conversation with Dax Moy recently about self doubt. He said something that resonated with me: “Self doubt is, in itself, the cure for self doubt. For many, their certainty about what is not possible for them is the issue preventing life from getting better. True coaching toward change then, involves sowing doubt where there is certainty that doesn’t serve. Doubt in your current paradigm is the only way to begin the quest for a new one.” I thought it was worth sharing here.

Hey Chris,

I enjoyed reading your blog and it’s truly inspirational. Please continue to write and you definitely bring a lot of value in this world. I also experience self-doubt and fear myself running my start-up, but by doing shit, those inner demons become my freedom fighters.

My personal trainer posted this today and I read it. This is a big deal because I very seldom read things that don’t come in 2 lines or less. You are so on the money it is scary! I am a practical nurse trying to go back to school after 39 years of working and I am really struggleing with Microbiology. I believe that you just gave me the kick in the ass that I needed. Thank you for that and for your wonderful writing, you are more than ready to write that book and I know that there are a lot of people that are more than ready to read it. Carry on………..

Oh my God. I love you.

It was accidentally finding your site and opening that first article a couple of years ago that got me revved up to -and convinced I could- do the things in this business I have been able to (not to mention even think I was worthy of being a part of it!)

I have to tell you – I would never have thought you had self-talk going on in you at all by this point! Your new work is so cool, I can’t believe you really think those kinds of things when you look at it yourself. That blows me away 🙂 You have also gotten me thinking lately about how much balls it has got to take (hence the “I can’t believe you have that self-talk”) to put things out there for people to REALLY learn the important things from – I really need to get that courage- I am still a big faker, and it’s really hard not to be… A lot less fake than I used to be, but more than I want to be – I will so buy your book but only if you promise to autograph it in person … Just kidding – Of course I will be getting that copy no matter what!

GO Big Chris!!

Stacy

Hi Chris,

Within all of us (as I see you in me) we wanted to be noticed when we were children ‘every child wants to matter’ ‘every child wants to play’ every child wants love and safety’ However our own experiences are sometimes different from that, we may feel that we are not good enough, that we we do not deserve success and self doubt then grows as our ego loves returning to familiar behaviour patterns. When I read your blogs Chris I love the way you write and that is my experience, for others they may have a different experience and that is there to own. I too wish I would write more and have the balls to talk from my heart and share my stories, wisdom and wonderful mistakes… however I too question myself and get into the business of ‘what do others think of me’ . I am learning to separate this with the only person who judges me so harshly is myself, the more I re-parent myself with validation and inspiration this lessens the harshness. What if this is true? what if what others say to us is truly just a projection of what they think of themselves? And if that is true then we say to others is a projection of what we think of ourselves? Do we truly ever really know anyone when we are still working out to know ourselves! Thank you for sharing part of your heart, vulnerability, anger, frustration and your experiences.. gives me inspiration to speak up! First time I have ever written a reply 🙂

Awesome perspective on self doubt. You always hear action cures fear and doubt, but I never heard it twisted this way to use the self doubt as your “cue” to move ahead and grind through it. Badass post as always, write that damn book, people out there need to hear what you have to say. Definitely gave me some extra motivation I needed today

Appreciate your commitment,
Jordan

You’re so inspiring!! You’ll rock it no doubt!

Aloha from Hawaii Chris. Mahalo, (thanks) for leaving your comfort zone and quitting those jobs years ago. You are now using your God given talents to make an impact in the lives of others. Keep inspiring dude. Peace and blessings, yours in health and fitness, Greg

Hey Chris,it’s your boy down here in the south…..Damm man as I read this at 4:00am,It keeps me fighting and my brother you are a gift from my father in Heaven that keeps me strong,you hear me!!!!!!!Without your help and from the heart and soul writing that your message sends is amazing!!!!!!!!!The stuff that I told you about Hurricane Katrina and the stuff with being a FirefighterI haven’t told anyone but you.How crazy is that!!That my friend is the power of the Lord!!!!!!!Growing up and having people thinking that your stupid and struggle was real hard for me and deep down I always knew something was wrong why I had problems with focus and wasn’t able to complete stuff I started.At the age of 39 and now I’m 41 I have ADD and it was like a light switch turning on in my head…I got the right meds and I haven’t looked back…….The self doubt thing you talk about was me all tears of growing up and I guess that’s why I would always go to the extreme and never fucking quit anything from Firefighting to racing 140.6 miles and going back to school.And when I started my Personal Trainer buisnesss March 12,2012 after I got shot down from a HR Manager for a Trainer Hospital in New Orleans,when that self doubt and nerves got the best of me and I could not even think and write a simple damm little training plan example he wanted me to do!!!!!!!!!!Is that some ShiTTTTT!!!!!or what because I let myself whoop the shit out of me and I knew what to fuckin do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Long story short,He told me to basically “Come back and talk to me when your ready”I walked out of there and felt like I fucckin got kicked in the nuts!!!!Who is this fat Fucker think he is telling me I can’t trainwhen that son of a bitch just wants fuckin membership sells,you know the kind…From then on I started my own PT buisness and not looked back one day and applied what you told me.Besides working 24-48 at the Firestation and on days off personal training and running my buisness,I have been doing ass kicking results!!!!Like you said..You take care of the 10 to 12 clients I have with respest,value and ass-kicking results and it’s golden,and that’s what I have been doing,and good old fashion word of mouth and I have more than I can handle by myself..Thank you for everything you have done for me and my family…What a god given impact you have made in my life man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thanks Big Chris…….You know it’s funny how people at work around me now can’t even carry on a normal conversation because there self inferior complex and would rather try to bring you down.Misery loves company…….Its like they don’t want to see you succedd..I would give you the shirt on my back you know…I have 3 and half years to go to get 25 years of service and crawling in houses and all that bad shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I have to suck it up and concentrate on my PT buisness and forget about the people that try to bring you down with negative BULL SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thank you again BIG CHRIS PEACE OUT.. From your boy down south in Biloxi Mississippi

Hey Chief,

Nicely done, keep them coming :).

Regards,
Dabral

I couldn’t have picked a better time to read this. Feeling super discouraged lately! Thanks for all you do!

Hey Chris, Just what I needed this morning… Rock On and Rise Above baby!

Keep’em Comin’ bro! Every time I read your blog it’s like the universe giving me a proverbial slap in the noggin’ reminding me that I’m on the right path. Your blogs came into my life when I needed them most. Coincidence? I think not. Thanks again…..

Love it! Love it! Love it! This is a such uplifting and timely article for me. I have been struggling with self doubt for really long time. Extremely depressed and frustrated, I started seeking helps from psychic and spiritual healer. They are awesome with the ability to pin point my issue without any medium like taro card or crystal. However, as years went down, although I understand myself more, I am still struggling with same issue I had before. My life still freeze like the old day. There were countless days that I felt so scared and would just sat on the lounge and dive into breakdown. At some point, my mind went to very dark place and I try to justify it by thinking I must be mentally ill, then later on being told I was totally fine. That gave me a wake up call and pushed me to not have any more excuses. Then I start thinking…. I must overlook something. One of the psychic even told me to not come back, because I have got all I need to succeed, there is nothing she could do to help me anymore, the rest is all up to me. It sent me into total panic mode and thinking… how is that possible. (Yes, doubting myself again) All the sudden I realise, they do their best to help you see your potential, BUT, one thing they can’t do is, to make IT happened for you. Nobody can be there to physically get you out of bed in the morning. Nobody could be there to hold your leg and walk for you. YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEND FOR YOURSELF. How? Just move your ass and do it. What makes the differences is what you DO day in and day out, even only just a little. Yes, “KEEP MOVING FORWARD”. Keep moving even if you feel down, keep moving even with tears running down your face. Keeping moving and don’t look back. Step by step, you will get there.

This energy is still very raw for me and I am still learning to grasp it firmly. Wish everyone the best and KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

Thank you, Chris.

“There is no way to get to Awesomeness without first walking through that dark night” – this post was just the right combination of relate-able comfort and ass-kicking. Many things strike me too much to one of those sides or the other. I need both. Keep trudging. I will too. Can’t see shit in this dark night, but I’m gonna walk as if there is an end to it.

Hey Chris,

You have some great stuff in your blogs, I too face challenges with self doubt. But its just like you said, “when in self doubt, keep moving forward.” Your words very inspiring, encouraging, and some times just what i need to hear. Keep up the great work my friend!!!!

AWESOME READ!!

How I came across your blog was a friend posted the bad ass article up on FB. I’m so happy they did, not only did I love that article but I began to explore others in your blog.

This one also hits home. I go through life every day with something to doubt. “should I call him”, “I can’t do this job”, “will I be able to get through the day?”. I loved: “The valley of the shadow of death is located right under the mountain of your legacy”. I will always remember that quote when my mind starts telling me I can’t or shouldn’t do something.

Thanks for insight and writing it in a way that speaks to us.

chris – mondays are always the day… the day I wake up and grapple with the self-doubt dragon like a muther fucker. it is like clockwork. I wake up on mondays and am faced with my fear head on: “how did you think you could ever just quit your job and set off on your own to live your dream that you don’t even know how to define?! how is anyone ever going to read your shit, let alone hire you for anything?!” and on and on it goes. but you’re dead on, man, if you’re not facing this stuff then you’re not moving in the direction of your ultimate purpose. as Jason Lee says in Vanilla Sky, “I know sour, which allows me to appreciate the sweet.” without the sour, without the fear we’d basically just be cruising around without any indication of where do dig our heels in and do work.

I don’t know by what means I’m going to get to where I’m going, but I continue to fight that beast of fear and yell over top of it every eff’ing time that I WILL get there. great blog on the day of the week where I need the reminder most. and man, do I wish I could clone ya to go on my tricked out self-help* (used for lack of better lingo) tour where we’d dominate the world from a tricked out airstream tour taking the US by mobile storm and changing people’s lives. of course, I gotta write my book first, two… details, details.

I just wanted to tell you that this article touched me. I hope you never stop writing because you are succeeding at reaching your goal….your writings touch something deep in my soul and I look forward to seeing the next one. Congratulations for being brave enough to embark on the journey and climbing that mountain!!!! You inspire me.

The times I was most afraid but took a chance anyway were the times I had my greatest accomplishments. Again I am at a cross road..afraid…hearing that voice telling me I am comfortable where I am at. ..so I know I ready to move forward. Great writing! ! You stir me up and make me THINK!

Read this a few days ago (thanks!) and this part stayed with me enough that I needed to come back, find it, and relish it again:
“The valley of the shadow of death is located right under the mountain of your legacy…”
Awesome. Too bad I’m not a tattoo gal – maybe I’ll just write it on my arm with a Sharpie. 🙂

Hey Chris – I’m new to reading your stuff, but I find it very useful and inspiring. This particular subject – self doubt – plagues most of us. By the way, your ex-girlfriend is totally off base about your writing – you write very well. Anything you can do with your thoughts and your examples to help people deal with self doubt moves this world to a becoming a better place. Fearful people make stupid decisions. Keep up the good work!

I loved the article, you really inspire! Still, I’m not sure about something, when you say “prove yourself and the world” , i think it’s ok to prove that you can to yourself but i’m not sure about the world

Hey. Thanks for this post. I have had gnawing self doubt daily about doing my private pilots license. Just when I get positive and make a decision, she kicks down my door and shouts negative insults in my face! Need to lock her out and face the challenge!

Thanks

Just discovered you Chris! Awesome thoughts you share. I just left the safety net behind and started a new venture. Filled with self-doubt and second-guessing myself. After reading this, I see that self-doubt is part of the process and the mountain to success. Thank you!!

Love it Chris!

Keep going young man.

Best wishes, Jordo.

inspiring! but, can you please try not to put those “foul words” or atleast lessen? 🙂 I was trying to skip those just to prevent myself from reading it. 🙂
thanks anyway for that inspiring post.^^

I came across this by fluke ! I was looking for way to beat self doubt and write a book I have planned .
Now I have the means to get the book started and also a story line the main character struggling with idea of climbing a mountain ! thanks for the advice and I’ll send you a sample of the book when I’m done

Dude, thank you for putting what I’ve been looking for into words I can understand, I’m loving your blogs and am real fucking confident that I can incorporate your advice into daily living. God Bless!

Hi Chris!
I’m from India and really like your write on Self-Doubt. I wish if you can elaborate a little more like suppose doubt leaves you one moment and again it will come time and again, how you cope with the situation. Actually you feel frustrated reminding your self of all positive affirmations at times and you get solace in your secure routine. Do you have something on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), in which you doubt that your doubt might be reality and it can harm your loved ones?
Looking forward to have your views and advise.
Regards,
Sonia
soniadey786@gmail.com

Thank you for this.
Thank you.
It is at peace with my inner self.

I was just trying to send in an application for a vacancy but self-doubt got in the way on many occasions. I ended up having only one more day till the deadline. However, I was too upset by the time and did not manage to hand in my application. It has been a recurring cycle. Every time I see an opportunity to try something new, or to boost my skills, I’d get excited. But every time I reach the part of the application where I have to give them my cv, or ‘promote’ myself, I question my abilities, and even my initial interest in the job/ event/ activity. Your way of treating ‘self-doubt’ as the indicator that one is stepping out of one’s comfort zone, and actually DOING something, is enlightening. It immediately brings me relief, from being a balloon that is too blown-up. I feel as if all the air is let out now. And I feel comfortable once more. I will try to keep in mind this useful piece of advice. Thank you.

When I read your blog post, I felt something deep within me (a good type of feeling; maybe validation). You reminded me how there are obstacles in your life and you have to just give it your all but also love yourself at the same time. Not gonna lie, your post brought tears to my eyes. Thanks (in a good way of course).