top of page

Stuck in Self-Doubt? 5 Practical Steps to Stop Overthinking and Finally Take Action

Writer's picture: Rafaele TadieloRafaele Tadielo

girl thinking

For years, I dreamed of working for myself—helping people transform their lives, having the freedom to design my days, and actually loving what I do.

But every time I tried to take action, self-doubt kicked in like a storm.


  • Who am I to do this?

  • What if I fail?

  • What if people judge me?

  • Maybe I should wait until I feel ready…


And so, I waited. I overthought. I hesitated.


But readiness never came.


Instead, I stayed stuck in my own head, watching time pass while I remained in the same place.


Until one day, I realised something powerful—I wasn’t stuck because I wasn’t capable. I was stuck because my brain was designed to keep me safe, not successful.


That changed everything.


If you’ve ever felt paralysed by self-doubt, stuck in a loop of overthinking, and afraid to take the next step, keep reading. I’m going to show you how to break free from the fear and finally move forward—without waiting to feel “ready.”


Why Self-Doubt Feels So Overwhelming (It’s Not Just You!)


Your brain isn’t trying to sabotage you—it’s trying to protect you.


Every time you step into something new, your brain registers uncertainty as danger. It’s wired for survival, not for growth.


This is why when you think about starting something new—whether it’s changing careers, launching a business, speaking up, or putting yourself out there—you feel resistance.


Your amygdala, the part of your brain responsible for fear, goes into overdrive:


  • What if you fail?

  • What if people laugh at you?

  • What if you’re not good enough?


Your brain thinks it’s keeping you safe. But in reality? It’s just keeping you stuck.


So, how do you stop self-doubt from running the show?


You take action before you feel confident.


Here’s how.


1. Stop Waiting to Feel Ready—Start Doing the Work


The biggest mistake we make is thinking we need confidence first, then action.

The truth? Action comes first, confidence follows.


Think of the first time you tried driving a car. You were probably hesitant, second-guessing yourself, and gripping the wheel like your life depended on it.


But over time? You got better. You learned. You became more confident.


Why? Because you kept showing up.


When you take action—gathering information, practising, getting hands-on experience—you start proving to yourself that you can do it. And self-doubt naturally loses power.


Try this:


  • Instead of saying, I’m not ready yet, ask, What’s one small step I can take today?

  • Break your goal into micro-actions—tiny steps that feel doable.

  • Celebrate progress, not perfection.


Confidence isn’t something you find—it’s something you build.


2. Rewrite the Story in Your Head


If you listen to your self-doubt long enough, it starts to feel like truth.

But here’s the thing: Not every thought you have is a fact.


When I started my coaching business, I kept thinking:


  • I don’t know enough.

  • What if I’m not as good as other coaches?

  • Maybe I should take another course first…


But when I challenged those thoughts, I realised they weren’t facts. They were just old fears trying to keep me in my comfort zone.


Try this exercise:


  1. Write down a negative thought that’s holding you back.

  2. Ask yourself, Is this actually true?

  3. Replace it with a new belief.


For example:


  • Old thought: I need more experience before I start.

  • New belief: Every expert was once a beginner. I’ll learn as I go.


Your brain believes what you tell it. So start feeding it better stories.


3. Train Your Mind with Hypnosis (Because Willpower Isn’t Enough)


Most of our thoughts, fears, and behaviours are controlled by the subconscious mind.

If deep down, you’ve been conditioned to believe:


  • I’m not good enough.

  • Success isn’t safe.

  • I always fail.


Then no amount of positive thinking will override those beliefs.


That’s where hypnosis comes in.


Hypnosis helps you reprogram your subconscious mind, so instead of constantly battling self-doubt, you naturally start feeling more confident and capable.


When I started using hypnosis, things shifted. I wasn’t just forcing myself to take action—I actually felt ready.


If your inner critic has been running the show for years, hypnosis might be the missing key.


4. Trust That You’re Being Guided (You’re Not Doing This Alone)


For so long, I thought I had to figure everything out by myself.


But the more I leaned into universal energy—the idea that I’m supported, guided, and not doing this alone—the easier things became.


When you trust that the right opportunities, people, and insights will show up when you need them, you stop stressing so much about “getting it right.”


Try this:


  • Take a deep breath.

  • Set an intention: I trust that I am supported. I am open to receiving guidance.

  • Pay attention to signs, synchronicities, and gut feelings.


Sometimes, all you need to do is take the first step—and let the rest unfold.


5. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection (it will stop self-doubt and overthinking)


When you’re caught in self-doubt, it’s easy to think, If I can’t do it perfectly, I won’t do it at all.


But perfectionism is just fear in disguise. It’s a sneaky way of keeping you stuck.

Instead of aiming for perfect, aim for progress.


  • If you’re launching a business, start with a small project.

  • If you want to write, start with one post.

  • If you want to make a career change, start researching your options.


Taking messy, imperfect action will always get you further than waiting for the “perfect” moment.


Final Truth: Fear Never Fully Goes Away—But You Can Move Forward Anyway


Here’s something most people won’t tell you:


Even the most successful people feel fear and self-doubt.


The difference? They don’t let it stop them.


They feel the fear and take action anyway.


And that’s what I want for you.


Because on the other side of self-doubt isn’t just success—it’s freedom.


The freedom to create the life you actually want. The freedom to trust yourself. The freedom to finally move forward.


So take the next step—however small.


You don’t need to be ready.


You just need to begin.


Need help? Book your FREE CALL and let's do it together!


11 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page