Doubt Your Doubt

I watched the Chicago Marathon from the wall yesterday. The wall is the 20 mile marker when many runners are facing their biggest obstacle, their minds. The runners have gone so far already, their legs are tired and they have a quarter of the run still to go. It is as much of a mind challenge as a physical challenge at this point.

I am always in awe watching a marathon. The elite runners are so amazing, but even more amazing are the runners that are in the back of the pack running a 6-hour marathon. They are spending three times as much time as the elite runners, pushing their bodies and focusing their minds to run 26.2 miles. Believing they can do it is what keeps them putting one foot in front of the other. I love the message Nike posted at the wall. DOUBT YOUR DOUBT.

In a marathon, you have to put any doubt aside that you cannot cross the finish line. That means shutting out that little voice in your head. Yes, you know that one I’m talking about. The little voice in your head that stops you from doing things you want to do? It casts doubts on your abilities, on your passions and on your belief of success. That little voice whispers, “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You’re not good enough. You’re not ready for that. You will fail if you try.”

Sometimes that little voice isn’t as cruel. It sounds downright rational. That same little voice gives you seemingly really good reasons to justify inaction. Has your little voice ever said, “Don’t work out today, you’re just too tired, you can do it tomorrow.” Then tomorrow comes and the little voice says the same thing.

That little voice follows you everywhere. It even has a seat next to you in conference rooms. During a meeting do you think of a great point to make and then hear your little voice say, “Are you sure that’s a smart point? It sounds a bit dumb to me. I don’t think others will agree with you.” While you are listening to this voice the moment in the meeting passes where your point is no longer relevant to where the conversation has gone. Or worse, someone else makes that same point and they are lauded for their great thinking.

To counteract the little voice saying, “no,” start by saying, “YES.” Next time you are coming up with an excuse to not do something, stop in your tracks, take a deep inhale and on your exhale, say “yes.”

I am not suggesting that you simply say “yes” all the time. For example, let’s say you have a full workload and you are approached to take on a new project. Don’t say “yes” to taking on the new project. Say “yes” to being honest about your ability to take on more work on top of your existing workload.

I do realize this is easier said than done. Just like marathon runners train and use the help of coaches to best prepare to challenge their bodies and their minds, think about the possibility of doing the same for your career.

I am offering you a free one-hour career coaching session so you can see if a personal trainer for your career is something you would find benefit in.

Contact me today and let’s get your free session on calendar.

Go ahead, doubt your doubt and say “yes” to go beyond what you believe your abilities to be.