Self-doubt when starting something new or during transitions is normal. We are about dive into something with which we don’t have much experience. So, it makes sense that we might have some uncomfortable feelings and fears.

When we are in the throes of self-doubt, we often feel frozen or overwhelmed. At that point, our attention goes largely toward feeding the self-doubt with negative beliefs and we lose sight of other options and possibilities.

Don’t spend time trying to overcome your self-doubt, just take action. Confidence comes from achieving, from moving forward – even the tiniest accomplishments.

Tune into those thoughts and feelings of self-doubt so you can work with them. They are showing with terrifying clarity exactly where you’re stuck, what is holding you back. And it is those areas that you can work on.

Fill in the gaps. Maybe there is something else that you do need to learn in order to do well in this new circumstance. Figure out a good way to learn it (don’t get stuck trying to find the ‘best way’). Reach out to people who can support you. Just start; you may make mistakes along the way, but all mastery comes with lots of stumbling.

Take tiny steps toward your goal. Start off with a very small micro-goal whose bar is very very low. Something you know you can actually do. Something you know you can actually do. In this way, you check off the box in the short-term future. This gives you the willpower and energy to continue. Then raise the bar just a drop more, add another micro-goal, and accomplish that one. The momentum grows.

Develop plans to mitigate your self-doubt. We are often our own harshest critics, and much of what we are thinking isn’t quite as grave as our thoughts. Knowing that you tend to self-doubt, it’s a good practice to plan for it so you can mitigate it.