Autumn’s Leverage: Contain Self-Doubt & Reimagine YOUR Next Season
- Dr. Kristin
- Sep 11
- 4 min read
Never forget: This very moment, we can change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. -S. Pressfield
September’s stocked with potential. School’s back in session. The Great Lock In launched. It’s the second new year.
How are you leveraging this crisp, fresh season, friend?
If you’re sprinting after grants or job leads, anxious about layoffs or slogging through unemployment, September may feel like less of a launch pad and more like a stop on the world’s slowest busline.
You’re ready for clarity, momentum, or a lift to the next state for a new start. But that bus is slow.
Instead of getting comfortable, get out of your own way and get on with it.
Containing Self-Doubt = Championing Yourself
Steven Pressfield is an expert on internal blocks and incremental movement. He’s the author of over 20 books and screenplays, including The Legend of Bagger Vance and The War of Art, which has sold millions. Pressfield has been interviewed by big names (Oprah and Tim Ferriss), but here’s why he’s so admired:
The acclaim and accolades took decades to arrive.
Pressfield’s progress was beyond slow. By his own description, he had little direction until 32. Once he began writing—while driving trucks, delivering pizza and performing manual labor—it was 17 years before he earned anything from it.
Anyone who’s been a post-doc can relate.
Pressfield’s well loved because he demonstrates that tenacity pays off. He stayed in action. Among writers, he’s also a guru for his succinct, kick-in-the-pants pieces about Resistance.
If you’re alive, you know Resistance. It’s the internal inclination to do the dishes before diving into your creative project. It urges you to scroll Instagram instead of taking the scary step.
Pressfield didn’t wait around for publishing deals or Hollywood studios. He kept creating. Self-doubt never disappeared, but he got good at containing it. Pushing past it. Getting on with it.
You can, too.
Learn more about coaching & how it can fast track growth & clarity.
We all have self-doubt. It’s fueled by the internal critic and can be unrelenting, especially if you’re a high achiever or perfectionist. It’s also very biased.
Confronting the inner critic can be tricky, especially if you’re in a depleted state. Many of my clients struggle alone here -- until they step into coaching.
Below are introductory steps* that can help.
Step One: Question the narrative.
Is this self-doubt really true? Is it merited? What’s your evidence?
Maybe your manuscript hasn’t found a home, but you’ve gotten praise for your writing skills.
Maybe you don’t meet all the desired qualifications, but you could learn on the job.
Maybe this has been a long transition, but you were the runner up on that last opportunity.
Look for evidence. Oftentimes, this narrative is a magnified version of your meanest, prickliest relative: Pointing out insignificant imperfections (welcome, we’re all flawed here) and whining how “that’ll never work” without any proof.
It’s not to be trusted.
Step Two: Dial down the volume.
You hear self-doubt: “The world has enough writers…no one wants this study…you’ll never be employed again!” It’s barking at you like the most inflamed talking head on Fox News.
You pull out the remote. You turn down the sound.
Imagine self-doubt getting quieter until it’s silent. Self-doubt is lipsynching to an empty room. You’ve moved on.
Step Three: Future you.
Look ahead to the future. There you are – fabulous, confident, at peace – minus self-doubt. You dumped that dead weight at a rest stop in middle Iowa. Today you’re radiant and rock solid. Remind yourself of it with a mantra.
“I’m amazing” or “I’m unstoppable” or “I feel good about me.”
*Feel cringy? Think of ALL the hours you’ve spent listening to the critic. We’re making up for that here. And this is internal work. Audience of 1: YOU.
Step Four: Define it
Okay, rockstar -- What’s the best next step?
Resist looking far ahead. We can self-sabotage at this stage if we’re not careful. It’s when we may wonder “hasn’t this been done already?” or “will anyone really read/watch this?” or “do I have any chance of…?”
No way of knowing unless you go and do. A micro-action is fine. Think short-term.
· Email the colleague you’ve been wanting to ask for coffee
· RSVP for the networking event
· Schedule a call with your financial advisor to get clear
· Book time on your calendar to write/dance/sing/create something
· Buy the webinar
· Say “yes” instead of “maybe”
Tomorrow Won't Wait
We’re in a period of upheaval. Fear is contagious and there's a lot of it circulating.
Deflect toxic fear and quiet self-doubt through intention and using these tactics.
Want more support? Reach back.
Tomorrow will be molded by those who take action TODAY.
*These strategies are adapted from NLP: The Essential Guide by T. Hoobyar, T. Dotz & S. Sanders.
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