SELF DOUBT

We all face challenges in life and in order to succeed and live a fulfilling and happy life, self doubt is one of the biggest challenges we have to overcome.  It comes up frequently when I am coaching.

We have both good and bad experiences, however it is common for us to connect those experiences which can support our beliefs about ourselves.

Somehow, our minds tend to engage in self-analysis. (Not bad coming from an analyst by trade) this can lead to all sorts of problems as we travel through life, setting us up not to succeed.

It occurs in all sorts of circumstances, we could be making our way in a career, engaging in relationships with others, and many other scenarios.

Of course, each new transaction with someone else presents exciting new opportunities.  Each one unique and unconnected.  Yet we still expect to fail.  Because we failed previously.   Yet still these events are unconnected.

So remember next time an opportunity presents itself that this is the first time.  You do not have a history of failure and there are no reasons why you shouldn't succeed.

Remember the expression:

"Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift which is why it is called the present" - unknown

and get stuck in - thousands of people are succeeding everyday, why shouldn't you?

A lesson in self belief

Every year, Australia hosts 543.7-mile (875-kilometer) endurance racing from Sydney to Melbourne. It's amongst the world's toughest ultra-marathons. The race takes five days to complete and usually attempted by world-class athletes after much training.

In 1983, Cliff Young, a 61 years old potato farmer competed. No-one thought he could do it. He had been used to covering 2,000 acres on the farm and believed he could finish the race despite his lack of training.

The race started, leaving Cliff at the back. He had no sports training and ran with a shuffle.

In order to compete, one had to run about 18 hours a day and sleep the remaining 6 hours but, Cliff Young didn't know that! Cliff jogged through the night.

Cliff continued to run day and night, every morning he came a little closer to the leading pack. By the final night, he had surpassed all of the young, world-class athletes. He was the first competitor to cross the finish line and he set a new course record.

Modern athletes now adopt Cliff Young's efficient shuffle when completing and it is accepted that to compete for such races you no longer sleep.

For the full story:

Wikipedia on Cliff Young

Elite Feet on Cliff Young