Difference between revisions of "Self-doubt"

 
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[[File:Self-concept, self-efficacy, self-esteem.jpg|thumbnail|300px|right|A Venn diagram showing the relationship between [[self-concept]], [[self-efficacy]], and [[self-esteem]].]]
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[[File:Self-concept, self-efficacy, self-esteem.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|A Venn diagram showing the relationship between [[self-concept]], [[self-efficacy]], and [[self-esteem]].]]
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'''Self-doubt''' is a "lack of faith in oneself: a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about one's abilities, actions, etc."<ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-doubt Self-doubt], Merriam-Webster dictionary</ref>
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'''Self-doubt''' is a "lack of faith in oneself: a feeling of [[doubt]] or uncertainty about one's abilities, actions, etc."<ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-doubt Self-doubt], Merriam-Webster dictionary</ref> The opposite of self-doubt is confidence/[[self-efficacy]].<ref>[https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/self-doubt.html#:~:text=Imposter%20syndrome%20is%20when%20we%20feel%20like,other%20people%20who%20are%20at%20our%20level. Self-Doubt: Definition, Causes, & How to Overcome Doubts]</ref>  See also: [[Inferiority complex]]
  
 
== Causes of self-doubt ==
 
== Causes of self-doubt ==
  
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''See also:'' [[Self-esteem]] and [[Confidence]] and [[Jonah complex]]
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''See also:'' [[Self-esteem]] and [[Self-confidence]] and [[Jonah complex]]
  
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Self-doubt can be caused by a number of factors, including negative experiences, fear of failure, and low self-esteem.<ref>[https://high5test.com/self-doubt/#:~:text=Self%2Ddoubt%20often%20stems%20from,your%20abilities%20or%20unresolved%20insecurities. What is Self-Doubt and How To Overcome It? Complete Guide]</ref><ref>[https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/self-doubt.html#:~:text=Imposter%20syndrome%20is%20when%20we%20feel%20like,other%20people%20who%20are%20at%20our%20level. Self-Doubt: Definition, Causes, & How to Overcome Doubts]</ref>   
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Self-doubt can be caused by a number of factors, including negative experiences, fear of failure, and low [[self-esteem]].<ref>[https://high5test.com/self-doubt/#:~:text=Self%2Ddoubt%20often%20stems%20from,your%20abilities%20or%20unresolved%20insecurities. What is Self-Doubt and How To Overcome It? Complete Guide]</ref><ref>[https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/self-doubt.html#:~:text=Imposter%20syndrome%20is%20when%20we%20feel%20like,other%20people%20who%20are%20at%20our%20level. Self-Doubt: Definition, Causes, & How to Overcome Doubts]</ref><ref>[https://www.choosingtherapy.com/self-doubt/#:~:text=Self%2Ddoubt%20refers%20to%20feelings,Being%20%E2%80%9Cbusy%E2%80%9D%20all%20the%20time Self-Doubt: What It Is, Signs, & How to Overcome]</ref><ref>[https://www.betterup.com/blog/overcoming-self-doubt Overcome self-doubt (once and for all?): 8 tips to move forward]</ref><ref>[https://www.tsw.co.uk/blog/leadership-and-management/overcoming-self-doubt/ Self-Doubt: How To Overcome It And Progress Your Career]</ref>   
  
 
'''1.''' Negative experiences
 
'''1.''' Negative experiences
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*Childhood trauma: [[Bullying]], criticism, or humiliation may lead to self-doubt  
 
*Childhood trauma: [[Bullying]], criticism, or humiliation may lead to self-doubt  
  
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*Past failures: Setbacks and failures can leave a person feeling overwhelmed - especially if they have a [[Growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset|fixed mindset]] instead of a [[Growth mindset]]
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*Past failures: Setbacks and failures can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed - especially if they have a [[Growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset|fixed mindset]] instead of a [[Growth mindset]]
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[[File:Pieter Lastman - Jonah and the Whale - Google Art Project.jpg|thumbnail|350px|right|[[Jonah (prophet)|Jonah]] and the Whale (1621) by Pieter Lastman]]
 
*Poor treatment: Being in an abusive relationship or experiencing poor treatment from a parent/caregiver may cause self-doubt  
 
*Poor treatment: Being in an abusive relationship or experiencing poor treatment from a parent/caregiver may cause self-doubt  
  
 
'''2.''' Fear of failure
 
'''2.''' Fear of failure
  
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*Fear of making mistakes or [[risk]]: This can lead to avoidance or self-sabotage (See: [[Jonah complex]])
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*Fear of making mistakes or [[risk]]: This can lead to avoidance or self-sabotage (See: [[Jonah complex]]). See also: [[Courage]] and [[Growth mindset]]
  
 
*Imposter syndrome: This is when an individual feels their success isn't a true reflection of your abilities  
 
*Imposter syndrome: This is when an individual feels their success isn't a true reflection of your abilities  
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'''3.''' Low [[self-esteem]]
 
'''3.''' Low [[self-esteem]]
  
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*Lack of [[confidence]]: This may make people feel incompetent, unloved, or inadequate  
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*Lack of confidence: This may make people feel incompetent, unloved, or inadequate  
  
 
*Anxiety disorders: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can lead to low self-esteem and poor confidence  
 
*Anxiety disorders: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can lead to low self-esteem and poor confidence  
  
 
*Mental illness: Depression or other mental illnesses can contribute to self-doubt
 
*Mental illness: Depression or other mental illnesses can contribute to self-doubt
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== Symptoms of self-doubt ==
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According to TSW Training symptoms of self-doubt are:<ref>[https://www.tsw.co.uk/blog/leadership-and-management/overcoming-self-doubt/ Self-Doubt: How To Overcome It And Progress Your Career]</ref>
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* hesitation when making decisions
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*frequently second-guessing your choices
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*struggling with feelings of unworthiness.  See also: [[Inferiority complex]]
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*believing that you don’t deserve success or [[happiness]]
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*[[procrastination]] out of [[fear]] of making mistakes
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*avoidance of taking risks or trying new things due to fear of failure
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== Book ==
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[[File:Lion6.jpg|right|thumbnail|400px|"The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a [[lion]]." - Proverbs 28:1 (NASB) ]]
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''[[The Confident Mind: A Battle-Tested Guide to Unshakable Performance]]'' by Dr. Nate Zinsser. Custom House (January 25, 2022)
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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*[[Insecurity (Psychology)]]
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*[[Inferiority complex]]
 
*[[Self-worth]]
 
*[[Self-worth]]
 
*[[Self-concept]]
 
*[[Self-concept]]
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Psychology related:
 
Psychology related:
  
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*[https://high5test.com/self-doubt/#:~:text=Self%2Ddoubt%20often%20stems%20from,your%20abilities%20or%20unresolved%20insecurities. What is Self-Doubt and How To Overcome It? Complete Guide]
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*[https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/self-doubt.html#:~:text=Imposter%20syndrome%20is%20when%20we%20feel%20like,other%20people%20who%20are%20at%20our%20level. Self-Doubt: Definition, Causes, & How to Overcome Doubts]
 
*[https://www.choosingtherapy.com/self-doubt/ Self-Doubt: What It Is, Signs, & How to Overcome] by Silvi Saxena, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C, MBA
 
*[https://www.choosingtherapy.com/self-doubt/ Self-Doubt: What It Is, Signs, & How to Overcome] by Silvi Saxena, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C, MBA
 
*[https://psychcentral.com/blog/7-ways-to-navigate-self-doubt#1 7 Ways to Navigate Self-Doubt], PsychCentral
 
*[https://psychcentral.com/blog/7-ways-to-navigate-self-doubt#1 7 Ways to Navigate Self-Doubt], PsychCentral
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Business related:
 
Business related:
  
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*[https://www.tsw.co.uk/blog/leadership-and-management/overcoming-self-doubt/ Self-Doubt: How To Overcome It And Progress Your Career]
 
*[https://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2017/12/09/doubt-your-doubts/?sh=f2adae1151a0 How To Beat Self-Doubt And Stop Selling Yourself Short], Forbes
 
*[https://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2017/12/09/doubt-your-doubts/?sh=f2adae1151a0 How To Beat Self-Doubt And Stop Selling Yourself Short], Forbes
 
*[https://hbr.org/2021/02/dont-let-self-doubt-hold-you-back Don’t Let Self-Doubt Hold You Back], Harvard Business Review
 
*[https://hbr.org/2021/02/dont-let-self-doubt-hold-you-back Don’t Let Self-Doubt Hold You Back], Harvard Business Review

Latest revision as of 00:14, October 9, 2025

A Venn diagram showing the relationship between self-concept, self-efficacy, and self-esteem.

Self-doubt is a "lack of faith in oneself: a feeling of doubt or uncertainty about one's abilities, actions, etc."[1] The opposite of self-doubt is confidence/self-efficacy.[2] See also: Inferiority complex

Causes of self-doubt

See also: Self-esteem and Self-confidence and Jonah complex

Self-doubt can be caused by a number of factors, including negative experiences, fear of failure, and low self-esteem.[3][4][5][6][7]

1. Negative experiences

  • Childhood trauma: Bullying, criticism, or humiliation may lead to self-doubt
  • Past failures: Setbacks and failures can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed - especially if they have a fixed mindset instead of a Growth mindset
 
Jonah and the Whale (1621) by Pieter Lastman
  • Poor treatment: Being in an abusive relationship or experiencing poor treatment from a parent/caregiver may cause self-doubt

2. Fear of failure

  • Imposter syndrome: This is when an individual feels their success isn't a true reflection of your abilities

3. Low self-esteem

  • Lack of confidence: This may make people feel incompetent, unloved, or inadequate
  • Anxiety disorders: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can lead to low self-esteem and poor confidence
  • Mental illness: Depression or other mental illnesses can contribute to self-doubt

Symptoms of self-doubt

According to TSW Training symptoms of self-doubt are:[8]

  • hesitation when making decisions
  • frequently second-guessing your choices
  • believing that you don’t deserve success or happiness
  • avoidance of taking risks or trying new things due to fear of failure

Book

 
"The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion." - Proverbs 28:1 (NASB)

The Confident Mind: A Battle-Tested Guide to Unshakable Performance by Dr. Nate Zinsser. Custom House (January 25, 2022)

See also

External links

Psychology related:

General:

Business related:

Videos:

Podcast:

Notes