Van Gogh once famously said, “If you hear a voice within you say ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” His words resonate deeply because they capture the essence of a battle so many of us face—self-doubt. It’s the nagging voice in our minds that tells us we aren’t enough. We aren’t smart enough, talented enough, experienced enough. Yet, as Van Gogh’s life shows, the only way to silence that voice is to act despite it. It’s through action, even imperfect action, that we begin to reclaim our confidence.
The Whisper of Doubt in Our Minds
We all have moments where self-doubt takes over. It’s the internal dialogue that stops us from pursuing what we want. The questions often arise: What if I mess up? What if I embarrass myself? What if people think I’m not good enough? These fears feed into our self-doubt, keeping us stagnant, afraid to take risks, or even try.
For some, this may appear when starting a new job or speaking up in a meeting. For others, it could be about pursuing a lifelong dream, like writing a book or switching careers. No matter the context, doubt can be paralyzing. But the truth is, self-doubt is a universal human experience, a natural part of being alive.
When I first started thinking about writing, I was overwhelmed by a sense of inadequacy. “Who am I to write?” I would wonder. I had no formal training in writing, and my grammar felt shaky at best. Yet the pull to write was strong. After years of hesitation, a gentle nudge from my husband helped me overcome the inertia. “Why don’t you allow yourself to write an imperfect book?” he said. And so I did. The book wasn’t perfect, but it existed. And that’s what mattered most—because had I let self-doubt win, that book would never have seen the light of day.
The Subtle Impact of Fear
Fear fuels self-doubt. It creeps into every area of life and convinces us we are not enough. But fear can be deceiving. Sometimes, it masquerades as “rational caution” or “being practical,” but in truth, it’s an insidious force that keeps us from growing. It convinces us to stay in our comfort zones. It might tell you that you’re not ready for a promotion or that your ideas aren’t valuable enough to share.
Many women, in particular, fall prey to this. I’ve seen talented and capable women hesitate to apply for jobs they are more than qualified for, simply because they doubt themselves. This fear-driven self-doubt holds them back from stepping into their full potential. A colleague of mine, Sriya, for example, refused to apply for a promotion she had worked years for. When I asked why, she admitted she didn’t feel ready. When we dug deeper, it wasn’t about readiness at all—it was about the fear of failure and the fear of disappointing others.
This fear kept her stuck. But once she recognized it, she was able to take action. She didn’t let doubt have the final word. She applied for the job and got it.
Embracing Imperfection and Moving Forward
Self-doubt doesn’t disappear overnight. It’s something we have to learn to live with and push through. The secret lies in not waiting for self-doubt to vanish before taking action. Instead, take action despite it. That’s where true courage lies. Author and motivational speaker Brené Brown often talks about the importance of showing up, imperfections and all. She argues that vulnerability—the willingness to take action without knowing the outcome—is essential for success.
Also read: https://theaspectratio.in/health-fitness/top-ways-to-deal-with-stress-finding-balance-in-life/
Perfectionism often holds hands with self-doubt, making us believe we must wait until we’re perfectly prepared, perfectly skilled, and perfectly knowledgeable. But the truth is, perfection is a myth. It’s a shield we use to protect ourselves from criticism or failure, but it also prevents us from moving forward.
“Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because there’s no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal,”
Brown
Tools for Overcoming Self-Doubt
The first step in overcoming self-doubt is self-compassion. We are often our own worst critics, tearing ourselves down in ways we would never dream of treating others. But the truth is, we need to be gentle with ourselves. Just like we would show compassion to a friend who is struggling, we must show that same kindness to ourselves. Permit yourself to be imperfect. Embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth, rather than failures.
Secondly, setting clear intentions can help combat the paralysis that doubt induces. When we become intentional about what we want to achieve, we take ownership of our actions. It’s important to be willing to try, even if we don’t succeed at first. Every step, every small action taken, is progress.
Finally, let go of comparison. Comparing ourselves to others feeds into our self-doubt. We see their success and feel like we are falling short. But as author Iyanla Vanzant says, “Comparison is an act of violence against the self.” Everyone is on their journey, and the only person you should be competing with is the version of yourself from yesterday.
Overcoming self-doubt isn’t about eliminating it—it’s about learning to act despite it. When we recognize that self-doubt is a natural part of being human, we can learn to work with it, rather than letting it hold us back. We may not always feel ready, but the truth is, we don’t have to be.
As Van Gogh reminded us, the only way to silence that voice of doubt is to do the very thing we fear. So pick up the brush, write the story, apply for the job—take the plunge, and in doing so, you’ll discover that the voice of doubt has no power over you.
Also read: https://www.betterup.com/blog/overcoming-self-doubt
