How to Not Doubt Your Own Ability

Self-confidence is the opposite of doubting your own ability. According to California State University Long Beach, "Self-confidence is the expected probability that a person will achieve a goal in a certain situation." Often, self-confidence is self-fulfilling, in that a confident person performs better. People who doubt themselves take fewer chances, and therefore receive fewer rewards. Changing the way you perceive yourself will help you to improve your performance, which will feed back into your confidence levels.

Instructions

• 1

  Develop objective and personal goals. Many people who doubt themselves are looking for approval from other people. This is a goal that you cannot measure, that gives no indication of success. Instead, write a list of goals, such as "I want to run a marathon" or "I want to get a pay raise in the next year." These goals are measurable, and when you achieve them, you will cease doubting yourself.

• 2

  Get a fresh start. If you constantly doubt yourself at work, change your career. If necessary, take a step down the career ladder and take a position you are more than qualified for. You will find this job easier, which will develop your confidence, and then when you progress to the level you were at before, you will have escaped your previous self-doubt.

• 3

  Keep a journal to record your thoughts. Often people with a negative outlook will maximize bad experiences and minimize good ones. Writing a journal of your experiences will show that even if one person didn't like your presentation, everyone else did. Put every negative experience in perspective by writing a positive counterpoint. Write down every compliment you receive throughout the day. You will build up a picture of yourself as a happy and confident person.

• 4

  Take risks, even if you have to force yourself. Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone will force you to change your behavior, which will teach you not to instinctively doubt yourself. For example, sign yourself up for a fun run, even if you are not a runner. You will have to train to get fit and then you will have little choice but to stop doubting yourself.