Am I good enough? Do I have what it takes? Will I fail?
Self-doubt can be that deep, dark persuasive voice, holding you back from great opportunities. We all go through things that spark up similar thoughts and feelings, but you should never let them take control over your life.
For years, I struggled with the thought of believing in myself. I was the typical shy, little girl that kept to herself but soon, outgrew her shell and took a leap of faith into the pro dance world cheering for the NBA. While the loving support of friends and family was a huge boost to my success, discovering confidence within myself played a major role in paving the way for new adventures.
Texas-bound! I’d be lying if I didn’t say moving to the lone star state was one of the scariest decisions of my life. No friends, no family, no job; just me and my 1-bedroom apartment. After my dad helped me move and left to go back home to Wisconsin, it hit hard when I realized I was completely on my own. In that moment, I knew I had to reassure myself that I was going to be ok and everything would fall into place – I just had to make it happen.
After my experience dancing for the NBA, I knew I wasn’t done yet. Eventually, I built up enough courage to be a part of the CHL organization and cheer for America’s team as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Auditioning for the world-renowned America’s Sweethearts wasn’t easy. You go through prelims, semifinals, an intimidating panel interview, followed by the final/solo round, and 3 months of training camp until you can make the team. Was it all worth it? Absolutely. I was able to redefine myself and find ways to help get me through every step of the way; not to mention, discovering life-long friends and cherished memories that will last forever.
There are 4 key points that, to this day, I still live by and stick to when it comes to finding your confidence:
- TUNNEL VISION. Try not to compare yourself to the people around you. The only competition is the person staring back at you in the mirror, yourself.
- BE YOU. No one else can be you, so show off your best qualities and let them shine!
- NEVER SAY NEVER. You may surprise yourself with things you never thought you could accomplish.
- IT’S OK TO FAIL. It happens to everyone. Take advantage of the situation; learn from your mistakes and grow from them.
At the end of the day, everyone experiences self-doubt one way or another, but it doesn’t have to take over and hold you back. Find what works best for you, whether it’s one of the 4 that helped me or something that you come up with on your own. Commit to integrating them into your life, understanding the potential you have and what goals you are capable of achieving.