Monday, September 26, 2011
Kill Your Voice of Doubt
Admit it. Sometimes, there is a voice of doubt you hear at the start of a new project. The project specifics don’t matter. Your confidence level doesn’t matter. The level of risk doesn’t matter.
This voice of doubt always sneaks in just as you are about to launch something innovative, something fresh, something never attempted before. What does the voice say? Try:
• “Who are you to take this on?”
• “Who are you to think you can accomplish something so big?”
• “Do you think you are really talented enough to pull it off?”
• “If this is such a great idea, why hasn’t someone else tried it before?”
The aim of this voice of doubt is to get you ensnared with it enough that you eventually respond, “I am nobody. I shouldn’t even try. I give up.”
Yet, something prompted you in the first place to entertain this new idea and attempt the risk of a novel project. What can you do when the voice of doubt rears its ugly head trying to squash your creativity and innovation?
How to Stop the Voice of Doubt
1. Recognize the source of doubt.
• Identify the root cause of what could stall you.
• Keep asking yourself, “What am I really afraid of?”
• Are you listening to negative talk that is telling you the idea will fail before you’ve even started?
• Have you checked in with your mentor? What ideas does he or she have to alter your thinking?
2. Realize you are in good company.
• There are dozens of people who have gone before you who doubted their ability and still went on to invent useful things we use today.
• List 2-3 of these inventors and you will see there are contributions, big and small, that help organizations move forward.
• Eliminate excuses that could prevent you from continuing. Stop thinking you’re too young, too old, not educated enough, or just starting out.
• Do not isolate yourself when the voice of doubt creeps back in. It wants to make you feel like you are alone, but you are not.
3. Ask the right question.
• The question is not, “Who are you to take this on?” Ask instead, “Why not me?”
• Acknowledge that you have certain skills and abilities unique to you. By sharing your knowledge and experience, you contribute to the greater good of your team.
• It’s not a matter of are you good enough or strong enough to take on a new project. It’s a matter of can you use your strengths to bring out the best in your team to accomplish the goal.
It’s time to stop listening to the voice of doubt and get on with your big idea.
Until next time...Lead like you mean it!
Marjorie
