virgin islands scene

If life is to be sustained hope must remain, even where confidence is wounded, trust impaired.
-- Erik H. Erikson
 

 

Saturday, April 18, 1998

Self doubt

Even the most successful people in the world are never completely satisfied with themselves. In fact, dissatisfaction can be a powerful driving force, compelling us to greater and greater levels of achievement.

The problem comes when self dissatisfaction turns into self doubt. Often, we feel frustrated or disappointed about the past, and we project those feelings into doubt about the future.

The future, however, has not happened yet. And so it makes no sense to be negative about it. The future is full of limitless possibilities. Your own future is largely under your own control. Your future is not determined by your past. It is determined by you, and by the actions you take from this point on.

Use your past disappointments not as an excuse to doubt yourself, but as a guide to improving your future. There is no reason to doubt yourself or your own abilities. In fact, the very impulse to doubt yourself is an indication that you know you can do better. Look past the doubt, past previous shortcomings, and you’ll discover a bright future.

— Ralph Marston

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Copyright ©1998 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All Rights Reserved. The Daily Motivator is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only. Other than personal sharing, please do not re-distribute without permission.