Even a strong vision can come with a constant stream of self-doubt. Part of believing something is possible is to manage the doubt that can insert itself between our vision and our current reality.
My first book, How To Have It All, was ready to be published in 2012, and although I had loved writing and was proud of the thought leadership, I was scared. I was scared to launch it out into the world. I had huge doubt about how the book would be received – could I really call myself an author and would anyone actually read it? In fact, after the book was published it took me 12 months to read the book again — even though the evidence had arrived that it was a great success.
Before publication, the day came to decide who I wanted to endorse How To Have It All. I decided to ask Brian Tracy, US speaker and author of 55 books. Many laughed at this idea, told me not to be delusional, not to get my hopes up and not to be silly. So in all the self-doubt I wrote the email to his team and waited. And waited. Weeks passed and nothing happened. I followed up.
And then, one particular morning, I received an email and I screamed with delight! Brian Tracy had asked to read my manuscript — to consider my endorsement request. I was in shock. Within a few more weeks I received the next email. Brian Tracy had agreed to endorse my book. Once again my belief and ability to feel success in advance, in the face of self-doubt had paid off. I was an author! In December of 2012 I decided to name the first year in my new business My Year Of Belief.
There are dozens of decisions to be made in business and life that scare us. Like any big dream, in the beginning we can be riddled with self-doubt. The key is not to quit – to learn to live with the self-doubt, until success arrives.
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas Edison
Don’t quit your vision – be courageous!
