It’s One Of The Hardest Things To Believe

We’ve all heard the phrase “believe in yourself” - about a million times, right?

It’s plastered on motivational posters, inspirational mugs, and probably on your aunt’s Facebook wall. But let’s be honest—it’s easier said than done. Believing in yourself sounds great, but in practice? Well, it’s a whole different ball game. Especially nowadays. It seems like most are fueled with anxiety, depression, and stress. Heck, I honestly can relate to that side much easier than not.

Simply put, how is anyone going to bet on you if you don’t bet on yourself first. Confidence is contagious, and when you truly believe in your abilities, you’re more likely to take risks, bounce back from setbacks, and make progress in whatever you’re pursuing. But the tricky part is learning how to do it—especially when self-doubt is lurking around like an uninvited party guest. Especially if those around you are living in a place of depression and stress. Seems harder to live in that way without feeling as if you need to shelter it around others. Negative energy can even rob you of the drive and positivity and create a shell around you waiting to crack, to crash. It’s as if self doubt is just being invited in.

It’s not too late though, it’s never too late, right?

Here are some tried-and-true tips to actually start believing in yourself (and kicking self-doubt to the curb).

1. Quiet Your Inner Critic

First thing’s first: there’s a little voice in your head that loves to point out every flaw, mistake, and awkward moment you’ve ever had (thanks, brain). It’s that voice telling you you're not good enough, smart enough, or capable enough. The trick is realizing that this voice is a liar. Take control of your self-talk by catching those negative thoughts and replacing them with something more constructive. Instead of “I’m terrible at this,” try “I’m learning, and I’ll get better.” It’s all about flipping the script.

2. Set Small, Achievable Goals

You don’t need to scale Mount Everest to prove you’re awesome. Start with baby steps. Set small, realistic goals that are actually doable. When you meet them, you’ll start to build up a mental bank of achievements that prove—you guessed it—that you’re capable. This could be anything from learning a new skill to working out a few times a week. The point is to build momentum and let that success snowball.

3. Surround Yourself with Supportive People

Let’s be real—negativity is contagious. If you’re surrounded by people who constantly bring you down or doubt you, it’s going to be a lot harder to believe in yourself. Instead, make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positive, encouraging people who lift you up. These could be friends, family members, or even a mentor who believes in you (sometimes more than you believe in yourself). Having a hype squad can make all the difference.

4. Celebrate Your Wins (No Matter How Small)

We’re often so focused on what’s next that we forget to acknowledge how far we’ve come. Don’t wait for that massive, life-changing victory to pat yourself on the back. Celebrate the small wins too. Got through a tough day? Landed a new client? Finally folded your laundry? Whatever it is, take a moment to appreciate it. Celebrating small victories builds your confidence and reminds you that you're making progress, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

5. Fake It ‘Til You Make It

Here’s a secret: a lot of people out there don’t have it all figured out. The difference is, they act like they do—and eventually, the confidence catches up. So, next time you’re feeling unsure, try faking a little confidence. Stand tall, make eye contact, and speak with certainty. You’ll be surprised how quickly your mind will start believing what your body is saying.

6. Remember: No One’s Perfect

Spoiler alert: You’re not supposed to have it all together. Spoiler #2: Neither does anyone else. Perfection is overrated and frankly, exhausting.

Instead of striving for perfection, focus on growth. Each mistake or setback is just a step toward improvement. So, embrace the messiness of learning and keep moving forward.

Believing in yourself isn’t some mystical ability reserved for the confident elite. It’s a skill that can be learned, practiced, and improved over time. With a little patience, some small victories, and a lot of positive self-talk, you’ll start seeing yourself in a whole new light. So go on—bet on yourself. After all, the most important person to believe in is you.

This was a really long way of saying, “if you’re going to believe in anything, believe in yourself”

The Story Of Theo

Once, in a quiet village nestled between rolling hills, there lived a boy named Theo. He was known for his wild imagination, always dreaming up fantastic things no one else believed possible. One day, Theo stood by a stream, gazing at the smooth rocks scattered along its banks.

"I bet I can stack these rocks into a tower that shouldn’t balance at all," Theo declared to his friends. They laughed. The oddest anyone had ever managed. He believed deeply in the impossible.

He spent hours by the stream, carefully selecting rocks of all shapes and sizes. Some were flat, perfect for a base; others were round and seemed impossible to balance. But Theo was undeterred. He began stacking. Slowly, methodically, his tower grew. Rock after rock. People gathered to watch, whispering in amazement as the stack rose higher and higher.

The wind blew, and the rocks wobbled, but Theo’s hands were steady. His belief in himself held them firm. Soon, his tower stretched taller than anyone had ever seen. Theo kept going, his eyes shining with determination, until the pile of rocks loomed impossibly high, defying gravity itself.

His friends, once skeptical, now stared in awe. The village elders came, shaking their heads in disbelief. "How is this possible?" they murmured.

Theo simply smiled. "I believed I could, so I did."

As the sun set, casting a golden glow on the towering stack, it stood as a symbol of what could happen when you dared to believe in the impossible. Theo’s rock tower remained standing for years, reminding everyone that with faith and determination, even the wildest dreams can come true.

Be Well,

Tim