I Can Do It Approach

Whenever we set out on something new, there is one thing that frequently pops up, threatening to sabotage our efforts, and that is SELF-DOUBT. When it takes charge, that new thing suddenly seems very difficult and may even start to feel out of our reach.

Self doubt is one of the biggest reasons why people find it difficult to embrace change. It makes us believe we CAN’T rather than we CAN do that new job, new venture, new task or new challenge.

here are 5 practical tips that I’ve found very helpful and a bit easier to execute.

1. SEE LEARNINGS AS ACHIEVEMENTS

When you embark on something new, remember to give yourself the opportunity to learn the ropes and set your performance expectations accordingly. After all you haven’t done it before! Instead of focussing only on performance achievements related to the task, look at your learnings as achievements in their own right.                

I did this recently on a new project I have been working on and discovered I had 53 learnings and 14 achievements – so together that was 67 achievements in a few months. I was thinking my progress was a bit slow, but when I saw it this way, it totally transformed my view of how I had done.

2. IMAGINE BEING YOUR ROLE MODEL

"If you can imagine it, then you can make it happen."

What a fabulous concept this is. I love it! Such a great little tool for managing self-doubt. Here's how it works.

Think of a role model and imagine yourself being like them. Yes, imagine you can do everything they do and imagine yourself doing it confidently.

It’s not about comparing your current REAL SELF to them, but rather to see your IMAGINARY SELF performing just as well (if not better) than them! Make sure it’s believable though and if not, try imaging your role model as they were starting out or choose a different role model, one a bit closer to your current self.

3. THINK "I CAN" MORE THAN "I CAN'T"

Yes this is the mind-set one! But sometimes it is much easier said than done. No-one can be positive 100% of the time – that’s just not going to happen, is it?

But here’s the thing. If you can have yourself think I CAN even a little bit more often than you think I CAN’T, that will do it. Out of 10 thoughts about you and this task or goal, if 6 of them are positive and 4 are negative, that’s enough! It really is! Positive takes priority over negative thinking and the balance will soon tip towards cracking those doubtful, negative thoughts.

4. CREATE A FEEDBACK FILTER

We all love getting positive feedback. However, whilst most people’s intentions are good, it may not always be in your best interests. Sometimes it is full of their own stuff, coloured by the way they see the world or peppered with their own judgements. What you need is a feedback filter!

Be selective about the feedback you act on. Include highlights of your strengths, reminders of your achievements and advice that resonates with you - e.g. how you might improve on things you find difficult - these all serve you well! As for the other bits of feedback, simply leave them where they are. You don’t need to believe or act on everything everyone says.

5. MIND YOUR BODY LANGUAGE

Last and not least, we come to another one of my favourites. I saw it first on a TED talk about successful interviewing techniques - using body language – and what a powerful thing it is!

The way you stand, sit and move around has a big effect on the energy flow in, out and around your body. The more you can free up that flow, the better you will feel. Self-doubt doesn't survive in such an environment. It really  doesn't! Adopt body moves that encourage that flow – sit up straight, keep your head up, stand tall, puff your chest out when you breathe in, put your arms up in a victory pose, avoid crossing your arms and my all-time favourite … SMILE. It may be simple, but it definitely works!