Our Doubts Are Traitors

“Our doubts are traitors

And make us lose

The good we oft might win

By Fearing to attempt”

-William Friggin’ Shakespeare

I love this quote so much I have it tattooed to my body. 

Do you ever feel riddled with self-doubt, insecurity, or imposter syndrome?

Check, check, and check.

Anytime I’m asked to speak at a conference or event all those emotions fire within me . . . even though I know I’m good at it and keep getting asked back. 

So why? 

Why do we let doubt creep into our minds and hold us back from doing the things that will bring us joy or help us progress? 

Because we’re afraid. Afraid of being judged. Afraid of saying the wrong thing. Afraid of looking stupid. Afraid of (fill in the blank b/c I could keep going on forever here)...

The trick is not completely removing doubt from your life . . . it’s moving forward despite it. 

Acknowledge that voice inside you that says you’re not good enough or smart enough or talented enough, then walk right past it. 

Because if we let doubt get the best of us, we might never start that business that could bring us six-figures a year . . . we might not ask that person out who we’d end up marrying in 5 years . . . we might not create the show that would win us a Tony award . . . 

Doubt will be there. You can't control it. But you can choose to move forward anyway.

And I have no doubt there is so much good on the other side.