No other topic hits close to home like this one – overcoming self-doubt. I’ve dealt with it my entire life. I know I’m not alone in this challenge since self-doubt impacts almost everyone alive. However, my self-doubt has hit an all-time high lately.
I’ve been unemployed for a month now since my last contract ended. Since then, I decided to focus on becoming a successful entrepreneur (or at least try to). It’s not going as well as I hoped. Actually, I began my entrepreneur journey over 3 years ago.
After discovering my inability to focus on one area or business venture for more than a few days, I thought my problem was a lack of passion. Perhaps it is, but then again, there’s something more going on in my head.
I constantly doubt myself.
Previously, I enjoyed a nice career in information technology and progressed quite nicely from a technician to becoming the director of an entire IT department. The same happened when I was in the military. I progressed from a private to a staff sergeant.
I learned two things about myself:
- I don’t enjoy the responsibility of leading others.
- I don’t enjoy being led.
Upon some occasional introspection, I realized I don’t enjoy added responsibility because I go from mastering the current position I am in to being “in over my head” with a new job. I like being the master of my responsibilities but no longer enjoy the journey and time it takes to become the said master.
So much so that it now cripples me and my career. And my ability to earn a living.
I went from being the “breadwinner” making well over $170k per year to now relying on my wife’s income from her part-time job. Not good.
Now that I’ve offloaded that from my chest, let’s proceed with how I intend to overcome my thoughts of “you can’t do that” and “that’s not a good idea” or “you’ll never make money doing that.”
What did I do today to start down the correct path? I watched a Ted Talk video on YouTube.
Did it help any? I’d say so since I’m writing this post. Before watching the video, I had nothing planned for the day except maybe cleaning the bathroom then doing crossword puzzles while binge-watching episodes of Criminal Minds on Netflix.
Are you in the same kind of rut I am? I’m focused on learning why this happened to me. Recently I came across an article that made me feel a little better about myself. It said that there’s a wave of burnt-out employees looking for a career change, especially since the COVID pandemic impacted the world.
If you are going through the same thing I am, let me know in the comments below.