To help you overcome self-doubt and build confidence in your personal development pursuits, we asked CEOs and founders this question for their best techniques. From practicing self-compassion to using positive affirmations, here are fifteen techniques these leaders shared to combat self-limiting beliefs and achieve your goals.
- Practice Self-Compassion
- Daily Reflection Exercise
- Avoid Comparisons
- List Past Achievements
- Step Out of Comfort Zone
- Daydream About Feelings
- Gratitude Journaling
- Talk to Achievers
- Adopt Radical Humility
- Journal Your Worries
- Embrace Your Uniqueness
- Heal Your Inner Child
- Ask Better Questions
- Stop Aiming for Perfection
- Use Positive Affirmations
Practice Self-Compassion
As a clinician, I’ve found the most effective way to overcome self-doubt is practicing self-compassion. When I start questioning my abilities, I remind myself of the positive impact I’ve had on clients, like the single mother who overcame debilitating anxiety or the veteran coping with PTSD. Focusing on progress, not perfection, has helped immensely.
Early on, I felt like a failure without major breakthroughs quickly. Now I celebrate small wins, like a client using a coping skill or journaling regularly. Managing self-belief is ongoing work, but talking to yourself with kindness is key. My inner voice used to be harshly critical. Now I offer myself the same encouragement I give clients.
Remembering my purpose—helping people live happier, healthier lives—keeps me motivated. Building confidence requires consistent action. When I launched my first online-therapy program, self-doubt crept in. But each client’s success story reinforced my belief in the value of the work.
After a few months, enrollment tripled. Now over 10,000 people have access to mental health resources that weren’t available before. Progress happens gradually, so stick with pursuits you care about and have patience. With compassion and perseverance, you absolutely can achieve amazing things.
Dr. Elizabeth Barlow
Founder & CEO, Kinder Mind
Daily Reflection Exercise
It’s easy for anyone to lose sight of what’s working in the midst of pursuing growth. I have a few strategies I use in different seasons. One that I really like is a daily reflection exercise based on an ancient religious practice attributed to St. Ignatius Loyola called the Examen, or the Awareness Examen.
It’s easy to remember by the 5 R’s:
- Revel: Bring to mind and celebrate the good moments of the day (not just the confidence-busters).
- Request: Ask Other (Higher Power, God, whomever this is for you) to guide your Examen. (For me, this belief helps me take my hyper-focus off of self.)
- Review: Consider moments of the day that connect to strong emotion and why.
- Reflect: Honestly acknowledge mistakes or failures. (The goal is not to ignore the challenges but to keep them in healthy perspective.)
- Resolve: Choose and endeavor to live my personal mission tomorrow.
Dr. Natalie Pickering, PhD
CEO, Founder, High Places Coaching and Consulting
Avoid Comparisons
I’ve found that comparing myself to others, whether it’s about looks or income, really drags down my self-confidence. It’s like every time I scroll through Instagram or hear about a friend’s latest raise, I’m tempted to see how I stack up. The truth is, though, this habit of comparison isn’t doing me any favors. Everyone has their own unique path, and life definitely isn’t a competition.
When I catch myself feeling jealous or making comparisons, I try to shift my focus back to my own accomplishments and strengths. One thing that’s really helped me is keeping a gratitude journal. Writing down what I’m thankful for not only makes me remember my own successes but also highlights the good in my everyday life. This shift in focus helps me build up my self-confidence by keeping my attention on my journey instead of getting caught up in someone else’s.
Social media makes it super easy to fall into the trap of comparison because it’s a platform that thrives on showcasing the best—and sometimes the worst—moments of people’s lives. But I remind myself that what I’m seeing is just a highlight reel. Celebrating my small, everyday successes instead of getting lost in others’ curated lives helps boost my confidence day by day.
Adam Klein
Certified Integral Coach® and Managing Director, New Ventures West
List Past Achievements
Everyone struggles with lack of confidence from time to time. When doubting whether I am capable of something, one easy trick is to sit down and list out what in my past has equipped me to achieve this goal. What skills do I have? What training have I developed? Reminding myself of when I have been successful in the past builds my confidence and belief I can be successful in the future.
If I don’t have the necessary skills (or don’t feel confident that I do), I can also ask myself, who do I know who might be able to help me or teach me? What resources do I have that I could tap into?
Confidence is often about how we feel. However, when we start to write out in black-and-white our reality, it helps move us away from our feelings and into facts. Often we are more capable than we realize, and writing helps remind us of this.
Tara Geraghty
Founder, Hey Girl You Can
Step Out of Comfort Zone
Stepping out of my comfort zone has been a transformative experience that has not only helped me combat self-doubt but also propelled my personal and professional growth in ways I never anticipated.
One memorable instance early in my career comes to mind, when I was invited to attend a major industry conference as a speaker, being the head of a fairly new but growing recruiting firm. At the time, I used to be plagued with self-limiting beliefs, particularly around public speaking and networking. I shied away from opportunities that involved presenting to large groups or engaging in high-stakes conversations with clients and candidates.
Upon receiving the invite, I considered declining it, thinking someone else would be better suited for the role. However, recognizing that this was a golden opportunity to advance my firm’s reputation, I decided to step out of my comfort zone. I committed to a rigorous preparation schedule, practicing my speech repeatedly, seeking feedback from colleagues, and even rehearsing in front of a mirror. The process was nerve-wracking, but it also became empowering.
On the day of the conference, I was still nervous, but I reminded myself of the hours of preparation that had led me here. When it was finally my turn to speak, I took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. The moment I began sharing insights about recruiting trends and our firm’s unique approach, I felt a shift. The initial nerves faded into excitement as I connected with the audience. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and I walked off that stage not just relieved, but proud.
Such experiences have taught me that my self-doubt is often unfounded, rooted more in fear of the unknown than in reality. Stepping out of my comfort zone has allowed me to challenge those self-limiting beliefs, proving to myself that I can indeed rise to the occasion. The more I engage in situations that push my boundaries, the more I build resilience and confidence. Ultimately, overcoming my fears this way has helped me cultivate a culture of increased collaboration and innovative thinking within my firm and a thriving workplace where personal development is embraced wholeheartedly.
Joe Coletta
Founder & CEO, 180 Engineering
Daydream About Feelings
As a self-starter and serial entrepreneur of over 30 years, I’ve had many moments of self-doubt. My favorite technique and practice that has helped me overcome self-limiting beliefs and ultimately achieve my goals is the following:
I daydream! I get really clear on the feeling-goals I want to achieve and I tune into those.
Note: I don’t daydream about materialistic goals, but the feelings that are associated with my goals. I tune into those feelings like I am experiencing them right now. It gives me a beautiful “high” and with that, all the motivation I need to get over my self-limiting beliefs.
Sabine Schopke
Serial Entrepreneur, Bestselling Author, Podcaster, Business Growth & Midlife Guidance Coach, Sabine Schopke
Gratitude Journaling
Overcoming self-doubt as a female business owner in a competitive industry has been challenging, but one effective technique I’ve found is the practice of gratitude journaling. This practice not only helps me focus on the positive aspects of my journey but also reinforces my self-worth and accomplishments.
Each day, I take a few moments to write down three things I am proud of—whether it’s a successful arrangement I created, a positive customer interaction, or a milestone achieved in my business. This simple act shifts my focus from what I may perceive as shortcomings to a celebration of my capabilities and growth.
By regularly acknowledging my successes, however small, I build a stronger foundation of confidence. It counteracts self-limiting beliefs by reminding me of my strengths and the unique value I bring to my business. Over time, this practice has empowered me to take on new challenges, set ambitious goals, and foster a resilient mindset that helps me navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
Sophie Marasco
Founder, Thanks A Bunch Florist
Talk to Achievers
I think one thing that has helped me overcome self-doubt is talking more with people who have achieved what I’m trying to achieve and seeing that they are just regular people as well. Sometimes you can build an achievement up so big in your own head that it seems that only a superhuman could pull it off, and then when you meet the people that have actually done it, it turns out that they are also ordinary, flawed human beings just trying to do the best they can. It’s good to remember that you can achieve great things without being absolutely perfect—in fact, since none of us are perfect, that’s the only way to achieve them.
Shannon Listopad
Owner and Founder, November Consulting
Adopt Radical Humility
There are two ways I’ve personally overcome self-doubt and built lasting confidence: adopting a position of radical humility and taking consistent action. These two practices have been transformative in my personal-development pursuits.
When trying something new, I embrace radical humility, which involves setting realistic and achievable goals. By doing so, I can focus on attainable objectives, gradually increasing their difficulty as I gain competence and confidence in my area of interest. This approach ensures that I am not overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations and can celebrate small victories that build confidence over time.
However, it’s important to maintain a healthy balance. While humility is vital, having a strong ego to motivate yourself to aim higher is equally important. Humility helps in acknowledging the learning curve, but the ego fuels the ambition to push boundaries. It’s about aligning actions with goals and steadily working towards them.
The most crucial lesson I’ve learned is the power of taking action. Action energizes life and transcends self-defeating and negative thoughts. By actively pursuing goals and taking steps towards them, I have built the confidence to overcome challenges and achieve personal growth.
Action is the catalyst that transforms aspirations into reality. It’s easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis or be held back by fear of failure. But taking action, even imperfectly, propels you forward. Every step you take, no matter how small, reinforces your belief in your abilities and diminishes self-doubt.
Rahul Chakraborty
Senior Growth Manager, FirstPrinciples Growth
Journal Your Worries
When moments of self-doubt arise, I try to journal as much as I can. Putting my worries on paper makes it easier to see them for what they are, rather than letting them swirl around in my head. It’s a sublime process, and it gives me perspective on my concerns. Eventually, it all feels a lot less overwhelming.
I suppose the bigger benefit, though, is that it helps me identify self-limiting beliefs. The moment you write them down, you throw light onto the shadows. Only then can you challenge them and replace them with more positive and realistic thoughts. Over time, this practice has helped me gain clarity about my strengths and what I truly want to achieve. I’ve found that the more I journal, the more confident I become in pursuing my personal-development goals. It’s like having a conversation with myself that leads to growth and understanding.
Gary Gray
CEO, CouponChief
Embrace Your Uniqueness
At the beginning of my journey, I was filled with self-doubt and limiting thoughts. I was troubled by ideas like, “What if I fail?” and “I’m not good enough,” despite my qualifications and expertise. I lacked confidence, which added stress and anxiety to my life. I then understood that changing your mindset is the most important step in improving your journey to a happier and more confident life. That was the turning point.
So, one thing that helped me was adopting the phrase, “Embrace Your Uniqueness” as a way to boost my confidence. I used to list five things that set me apart from others. I begin every day by reminding myself of my past successes and confirming my strengths. By focusing on my skills rather than my worries and encouraging a positive attitude, this strategy helps me overcome self-doubts.
Having these characteristics makes me who I am, so I celebrate them. I sent these to a family member or close friend and asked them to tell me anything they thought made me special.
Adam Wood
Co-Founder of Revenuegeeks, RevenueGeeks
Heal Your Inner Child
I personally believe that it’s important to heal your inner child. Something I’ve been told to do that helped me tremendously over the years in overcoming instances of self-doubt is to stick a picture of myself as a child on my bathroom mirror. Every morning, every night, and every day when I look at my bathroom mirror, I see a picture of myself as a child, and when I look at him, I remember that the only person I’m being mean to is this childhood me.
Likewise, if I’m ever feeling a moment of self-doubt, I talk to that picture of me to remind myself of how far I’ve come and the potential I have yet to unleash. It reminds me to be kind to myself and that I am deserving of all the success and happiness I seek.
Ajay Chavda
CTO, Mojo Dojo
Ask Better Questions
To overcome self-doubt and limiting beliefs, the best personal-development tactic I’ve learned is to ask myself better questions. Instead of thinking, “But what if I fail?” I now ask, “And what will happen when I succeed?”
Your brain will automatically answer whatever you ask. By consistently reframing with more positive questions, you gradually train your mind to anticipate and plan for the best possible outcomes. Over time, this reinforcement of your abilities and potential helps you catch negative thought spirals and redirect them, building your self-confidence.
This change in perspective has helped me tackle big life challenges, like finishing graduate school, and even to navigate smaller moments, such as deciding whether to post on LinkedIn.
To get started, notice the next time you question your capabilities. Pause and consider how you can reframe the question to have a positive answer. It may take practice, and ultimately, it will change your life.
Dr. Jena Pugh
Graduate School Strategist, Dr. Jena Pugh, LLC
Stop Aiming for Perfection
We often have days when our thoughts overwhelm us and hold us back from pursuing our capabilities and goals. I experience these thoughts usually. Having self-limiting thoughts is natural, especially in today’s fast-evolving world. It can be challenging to maintain a positive outlook at all times. However, the real challenge lies in these thoughts hindering our personal growth.
One technique that has worked well for me is to stop aiming for perfection. We often avoid doing things we believe we’re not perfect at. But everyone who is perfect at something now was once a beginner. When I first started running, I struggled with similar thoughts and felt intimidated by experienced marathon runners. My mind convinced me I couldn’t do it because I wasn’t perfect.
Nevertheless, I took the first step and recently completed my first marathon. My advice would be to detach the idea of perfection from everything you’re trying to achieve. Overcoming self-limiting beliefs is a journey that takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and celebrate every win along the way, no matter how small.
Raviraj Hegde
Svp of Growth & Sales, Donorbox
Use Positive Affirmations
Positive affirmations and self-talk. I have found that replacing negative thoughts with positive ones impacts your mindset. First thing in the morning, I tell myself, “I am capable,” “I am worthy,” and “I can achieve my goals.” This changes your internal dialogue from, “I can’t” to “I can.”
Different situations call for different affirmation phrases, and you can find them anywhere. It could be a song lyric, a poem, a TikTok sound (yes, those work too), or even a quote from your favorite movie.
When the question, “But what if I fail?” pops up, ask yourself, “What if I soar?”
And don’t forget to celebrate your small wins. Appreciating your progress and accomplishments, however insignificant they may look, can boost your self-esteem and reinforce positive behavior and motivation.
Make it a daily habit to consciously choose positive thinking and see how it rewires your brain.
Elsie Achieng
Director of Acquisitions and Paid Media, Reactionpower
