Overcoming Self-Doubt to Step into the Spotlight

Self-doubt can be an unwelcome companion for anyone stepping into the spotlight. Whether it’s a small presentation, a keynote speech, or simply sharing your voice in a meeting, the nagging question of "Am I good enough?" can hold even the most capable people back. But here’s the truth: self-doubt doesn’t have to define your journey. It can, instead, become a steppingstone toward your growth.

I have seen incredible transformations in women who, at first, doubted their ability to speak up and their worth in doing so. They felt inadequate, convinced that their voices didn’t carry the weight or wisdom needed to make an impact. But through intentional steps, and only a few tears, they learned to embrace their worth and boldly use their voice to speak out. Their stories are proof that you too, can break through the barriers of self-doubt.

I want you to think of the battle between self-doubt and self-confidence as a great tug-of-war match in your mind. Your inner thoughts, negative self-talk, and limiting beliefs are on team-self-doubt and they are a strong bunch. The key is in figuring out how to reframe and redirect those negative and limiting thoughts so that they can join team-self-confidence instead.

Today we are exploring how you can challenge your self-doubt and give your confidence the support it needs to take the lead in this great tug-of-war.

Let’s dive in!

Start with Your Inner Dialogue

The stories we tell ourselves shape the ways we show up. Are you telling yourself that you’re not experienced enough, polished enough, smart enough, talented enough, or _______________ enough? I want you to pause for a minute and question those thoughts. What evidence do you have that says you can’t do this? Chances are, there’s none—only your fear of failure creating a story that’s untrue.

Now I want you to shift your focus to the times you’ve succeeded – and more importantly, the times you succeeded despite your self-doubt. Recall those moments where you pushed past your fears and accomplished something meaningful. Write these moments down and let them serve as reminders of your resilience.

Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Perfection is a myth that feeds self-doubt. Perfection literally does not exist and therefore, cannot be attained. Once you believe this, you will be able to overcome your doubts more easily. 

Remember, you don’t have to be flawless to make an impact. YOU are the only person that has the unreal expectation of perfection in yourself. Even if you got on a stage to give a speech and didn’t say a single word that you had written down, the audience wouldn’t know. They would hear what you said without wondering if it is “exactly as it was on your paper.” 

One of my favorite examples of this is a client who was completely overthinking her speech and getting all up in her head leading up to presentation day. She had every word she wanted to say typed out and was very worried she wouldn’t remember what to say. We worked together and worked through her fears and anxiety around this topic. When speech day came, she started out using her printout, but about a page in you could visibly watch as she settled into the moment, trusted herself to tell the story, and then gave an amazing performance. Did she say every word on her printout? Not even close. But she did give a memorable and powerful speech that impacted the audience how she wanted it to. The best part was that after she spoke, she said to me, “I wasted all that time being nervous for nothing!” 

STOP wasting your valuable time and energy feeding your self-doubt and starving your self-confidence! Focus on progress, not perfection. Every step forward, no matter how small it may seem, is a victory.

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

Confidence grows through preparation. Knowing your material is the easiest way to calm your nerves. But practice is more than just memorizing what you have written or want to say. Practice helps you internalize the material, to become so familiar with it that you can say it many ways without losing the impact or the meaning. Practice allows you to get familiar with how it feels and sounds to have your words come out of your mouth. Practice creates the pathways in your brain that your sub-conscious will fall back on when your nerves kick in. As I have said many times, practice makes permanent. 

When you can, practice in environments that mimic the environment you will perform or present in. It is also good to stand in front of a mirror, speak to friends, or record yourself to review later. The more familiar you become with your content and how it feels to deliver it, the less room there is for self-doubt to creep in.

And if you stumble, simply smile and keep going. Authenticity connects with people far more than perfection ever could.

Lean Into Your "Why"

Why are you speaking? Who are you hoping to help, inspire, or connect with? What is the purpose of your presentation? 

When self-doubt arises, grounding yourself in your purpose can be a powerful antidote. Your "why" is bigger than your fear. It’s what compels you to take the stage and what will resonate with your audience.

Borrow Confidence When You Need It

Sometimes, self-doubt feels overwhelming. In those moments, borrow confidence from someone else. Ask a friend to support you from the audience or backstage. Call a supportive family member for a pep talk, or imagine a mentor, coach, or trusted friend cheering you on. Let their belief in you fuel your belief in yourself. Better yet, surround yourself with a supportive community that lifts you up and reminds you of your value.

Do It Scared

Ultimately, the best way to conquer self-doubt is to face it head-on. Take the stage, even if your hands are shaking. Speak up, even if your voice trembles. Every time you push past your doubt, you weaken its grip and strengthen your confidence. The best (and only) way to diminish your self-doubt on a permanent basis is to get out there and do the thing that scares you. It’s only scary until it isn’t! 

 Your voice matters. The world needs your perspective, your wisdom, and your story. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back from sharing it. Take a deep breath, trust yourself, and step boldly into the spotlight.

Overcoming your self-doubt is part of the speaker’s journey, but it doesn’t have to be the end of it. If you’re ready to challenge your inner critic and embrace your full potential, let’s work together. Book a FREE discovery call today, and let’s uncover the confident, capable speaker within you.