Fear and Self Doubt

I read this quote earlier this week and it stopped me in my tracks. “Fear and self-doubt have always been the greatest enemies of human potential.”– Brian Tracy

Truth! That fear, that self doubt keeps you from achieving your best.

So here are some thoughts;

What’s Holding You Back Might Be Inside You

We often imagine that what holds us back in life is something external — a lack of time, money, opportunity, or support. But when we pause and look more closely, it’s often not the outside world that limits us. It’s what’s happening on the inside: fear and self-doubt.

Fear is this invisible force that whispers, “You’re not ready,” “You’re not good enough,” or “What if you fail?” They rarely shout. They don’t announce themselves. Instead, they show up as procrastination, hesitation, overthinking, or the need to always be "just a little more prepared." And they are powerful to prevent us from achieving our best.

Fear: Serves a purpose…

Fear serves a purpose — it keeps us safe. But in our personal and professional growth, it can become overprotective. It tells us to stay small, stick with the familiar, avoid discomfort.

We fear being judged, failing, not having all the answers, or being exposed as an imposter. So we play it safe — we stay quiet when we have something valuable to say, we delay launching that idea, or we avoid asking for that opportunity.

The truth? Most of our growth sits just beyond what we fear.

Self-Doubt:

Self-doubt is the constant questioning of our own worth, ability, or readiness. It’s the feeling that we’re not enough — not smart enough, talented enough, experienced enough.

It doesn’t matter how many qualifications you have, how many clients you’ve helped, or how often others affirm your capability — self-doubt can still creep in. It’s fuelled by comparison, perfectionism, and sometimes by old beliefs we’ve carried for far too long.

The Cost of Letting Fear and Doubt Win

When we allow fear and self-doubt to lead, it comes at a great cost to us. We miss out — not just on opportunities, but on the chance to become who we truly are.

We don’t apply for the role.We don’t share our creative idea.We don’t start the business or write the book.We don’t take the lead, raise the hand, or speak the truth.

And over time, the cost isn’t just professional. It’s personal. It’s the quiet ache of “What if I had tried?”

So What Can We Do?

I highly respect Joyce Meyer. She says ‘Do it afraid’. We need to act when the fear present.

Here are a few ways to start:

• Recognise the fear – Name it. Get curious about it. What’s it trying to protect?

• Challenge the voice of self-doubt – Ask: Is this thought true? Is it helpful?

• Take small bold steps – Courage often comes after action, not before it.

• Surround yourself with encouragers – Whether through supervision, mentoring, or community.

• Reflect on your strengths – You’ve done hard things before. You can do this too.

The Invitation: Step Into Your Potential

Your potential doesn’t ask for perfection. It doesn’t require certainty. It simply asks you to take the next right step. You may fail, you may mess up and you may need to do it afraid but just take the first step.

Where might fear or self-doubt be holding you back right now?And what would it look like to take just one brave step forward this week?

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