Doubt is a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.
We read about doubt in the form of resistances a lot in the blogger world. Steven Pressfield in his book The War of Art speaks about resistance in a lot of detail. The resistance in the form of doubt is REAL! When we think of all the things we would like to finish and accomplish in life, doubt shows itself immediately. If you can overcome doubt you can overcome anything.
Imagine you’re ready to start working on your first book and you are full of conviction, and in one instance the feeling of uncertainity starts to overwhelm you. Doubt attempts to overwhelm us until she has won and we no longer believe we can accomplish what we started out to do. The person that is determined will do whatever it takes to make the dream or provision possible.
Take a moment to look at the photo featured in this post. At a slight glance we see people getting food cooked and served to them. However, let’s pick the photo apart. There is a woman in a canoe on THE WATER filled with everything needed in a kitchen to make an amazing meal. I am sure she had the opportunity to doubt. She may not have been the first person to see that it was possible to make a canoe into a restaurant, but she is one who believed that making a canoe into a restaurant and serving people was worth kicking doubt in its face.
Here is how I kick doubt in the face on a daily basis:
Do The Work!
- Nothing is more gratifying than simply doing the work. Don’t worry about how good it is, but just do it. You can fix your mistakes later.
Speak to The Doubt!
- Currently I am using scriptures about trust and justification to overwhelm my doubt. The more I speak to the doubt, the less control it has over me.
Get Around Like-Minded People
- I attend networking events and inspirational talks each month. The speaker may not be in my field, but the simple fact they are Starting and Finishing their dreams encourages me and reminds me it’s possible.
- Don’t be afraid to share your dreams with people who can pour into them.
Listen to Podcast
- Shameless plug: From Start to Finish is my podcast. Each week I interview a new finisher. I ask them questions related to the fulfillment of their dreams. Podcasts such as Dale Partridge, Jeff Goins and Michael Hyatt are great kicks in the butt that can help make your vision into a reality.
Celebrate
- Celebrate the little accomplishments. It’s important to look at the small picture and the big picture together.
Read Autobiographies
- Reading books about people’s journeys remove the mystical nature of their accomplishments. In a good autobiography you will see the ups, downs, highs, and lows.
- Steve Jobs- Becoming Steve Jobs
- Walt Disney- Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination
- David Watson- Fear No Evil
- Nelson Mandela- Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela
Whatever you do with doubt, you must overcome it. The surefire way for doubt to win is to do nothing. Remember the sum total of the people you spend most of your time with is a reflection of your future. If you are spending a lot of time with doubters, pessimists and those that don’t finish, it will rub off on you. Take some time this week to evaluate people, places, and things. It’s time for you to accomplish those dreams and visions you used to dream about.
Another great post, Christina. It is so true that, “If you can overcome doubt you can overcome anything.”