Let’s talk about something we’ve all experienced. You set a goal, take those exciting first steps, and then – bam! Something happens. Doubt creeps in, a little obstacle shows up, or you start comparing yourself to others. Suddenly, you’ve thrown in the towel. But hold on a second – are you disqualifying yourself too soon? Are you folding before you even have a chance to win? Let’s explore how we self-disqualify and, more importantly, how we can stop doing it!
1. Doubt and Negative Trash-Talk
Picture this: You start a new project with great enthusiasm, only to hit a wall of doubt after seeing what others in the same field are doing. Thoughts like “I’ll never be that good” or “I’m not cut out for this” start creeping in, and before you know it, you’ve abandoned your plan.
How to Avoid It:
- Acknowledge Doubt: Doubt is a natural part of any endeavor. Even the pros experience it.
- Reframe Your Thoughts: Instead of thinking, “I’ll never be that good,” try saying, “I’m improving every day, and everyone has their unique journey.”
- Set Small, Achievable Goals: Aim for incremental progress, not perfection. Those small wins will build your confidence and keep you moving forward.
2. Fear of Failure
Here’s a classic scenario: You have a brilliant idea for a business, but fear of failure paralyzes you. Worries about financial loss, public perception, and personal competency keep you from taking that first step.
How to Avoid It:
- Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity: Remember, failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of the journey. Each failure teaches you something valuable.
- Take Calculated Risks: Start small. Test your business idea as a side project before going all-in. This way, you can learn and adjust with minimal risk.
- Seek Support: Surround yourself with people who encourage and support you and offer constructive feedback.
3. Comparing Yourself to Others
Sound familiar? You’re constantly comparing your professional accomplishments to others on social media. You feel your achievements aren’t good enough to share, so you stop promoting yourself or posting your ideas.
How to Avoid It:
- Focus on Your Own Journey: Everyone’s path is different. What you see on social media is just the highlight reel. No one is posting the hours they spent struggling to get there.
- Celebrate Your Progress: Reflect on where you started and acknowledge the progress you’ve made. Celebrate your improvements and wins big and small.
Staying in the Game
Folding too soon is often driven by fear, doubt, and comparison. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward change. Remember, success rarely comes overnight. It’s the result of perseverance, learning from failures, and continually pushing forward, even when you don’t want to.
The next time you feel like folding, ask yourself if you’re disqualifying yourself too soon. Chances are, you have more strength, resilience, and potential than you realize. Keep going. Your breakthrough might be on the very next hand.
