E154: How to Overcome Self Doubt

Are you holding yourself back from your goals due to self-doubt? Learn how to overcome self-doubt by taking things one step at a time. In this podcast episode, Adam Hill discusses how to rise above limiting beliefs of self-doubt through incremental growth and goal setting. Listen in as Adam shares his story of how breaking through barriers can start with simple baby steps. He also explains how focusing on small wins and SMART goals can help you make steady progress towards your dreams. Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation: The paradox of self-doubt for high achievers  Reframing doubt as a signal rather than a barrier The story of Jesus walking on water and Peter's doubt Setting SMART goals for incremental improvement Celebrating small wins to build confidence Episode Highlights: [03:29] The Paradox of Self-Doubt for High Achievers Self-doubt is a natural response for those pursuing big goals. When we take on large challenges, self-doubt kicks in as a defense mechanism to make us question ourselves. The very nature of wanting to accomplish significant feats that are "far out there" will inherently cause doubt, since we have no track record of past success at that level. However, this doubt should not prevent action. While it's normal and expected to have uncertainty about lofty goals due to our human limitations, addressing doubt through strategies like incremental progress can help override it as a limiting factor and allow one to continue pursuing their dreams. [15:33] Conquering Doubt Through Baby Steps Adam shares how breaking down his big goal of an Ironman triathlon into small, incremental steps helped him overcome self-doubt and achieve what once seemed impossible. When he first set his sights on an Ironman, the 2.4 mile open water swim was his biggest fear due to being an inexperienced swimmer. Rather than let doubt paralyze him, Adam got strategic by breaking down the massive swim into mini-milestones like learning to float and then swim 25 yards continuously. By chipping away at his fears step-by-step, Adam was able to steadily build confidence through a sense of progress and small wins. Facing each manageable goal in turn helped Adam overcome doubt with determination and perseverance, ultimately gaining proof that he was capable of more than he imagined. [24:25] Setting SMART Goals for Incremental Improvement SMART stands for goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Adam recommends breaking big goals down into smaller, SMART goals that can be accomplished within a 90-day period. For example, rather than a vague goal of "improve my swimming," one might set a goal of "Swim 100 yards without stopping in 30 days." Adam notes that setting clearly defined, short-term goals helps create a roadmap towards long-term success. It allows you to celebrate small wins that build confidence as you progress step-by-step towards your larger vision. Having time-bound goals also keeps you accountable and motivated to keep chipping away at limitations. Resources Mentioned: Follow Adam… Sign up for my newsletter and get my free Vision/Reflection Retreat Guide: Follow me and turn fear into flow! IG: @theadamchill YouTube: @adamchill  TikTok: @theadamchill