We have all been there. We set a goal. We execute the plan. And, then we start doubting that we can achieve the goal. It starts small at first. There are little moments when we start to think we can't do this. Or we say, "I don't know"….. a lot… And those little moments become bigger moments. We start to justify why we can't achieve the goal. "I've been sick." "I have a lot going on." Before we know it, full blown self-doubt sets in. And, we are 100% sure that we can't achieve our goal.

Right now I am in the middle of my own doubt circle. I finished my last long run and have entered the taper phase for my 50k race. During my long runs, the feelings of doubt were extremely strong. I continually questioned if I could finish the distance. And, I even questioned if I wanted to finish the distance.

So, how do we get over these feelings?

The feelings are completely normal. And they are just that…feelings. It's an emotional response. Remember that the feeling is not a fact.
Look for inspiration. Did you know the there is a brand of cough drops that have confidence boosting messages on them? The one I'm looking at has : "Be Unstoppable" "Power Through" "Turn You Can into You Did". Inspiration can come from odd places. Personally, I prefer YouTube videos and Podcasts. I look for ways that people have struggled and then overcame it. *Warning - Some sources of inspiration my cause your doubt to increase. If you sense that this is happening….walk away from that particular source. There is one podcast that I listen to and love 75% of the time. But, when this speaker struggles, she is almost too brutally honest about it. And, it makes me question my own abilities. So, when my doubt creeps in, I stop listening until my perspective has turned.
Take action. What can you do to move closer towards your goal? For me, taking a walk or doing a workout can give me just enough distraction to get past the negative feelings. For you, it may be writing it down and throwing it away. Or, reviewing your plan to confirm that you did everything possible and then some. Find some way to get closer to your goal.

As you work through your own doubt, please know that I believe in you and your dreams!