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Writer's pictureDr. Norma Reyes

Self-Doubt Shows Up During Your Milestones



Is your mindset holding you back? The day I earned my PhD felt bittersweet. I was excited to complete another long-standing goal of mine. But I didn’t feel any different. I didn’t feel accomplished and each of the steps to get there I minimized.


How was your dissertation process? Oh I barely wrote over a 100 pages. 

Was it hard to get your PhD? No, but I didn’t pick a hard program. 

So now you’re an expert on this? Um, I guess. 

See, being a high-achiever, doesn’t mean that you automatically believe in yourself. Or that you feel successful. Never in my life, did I ever feel as successful as the day that I finished my marathon. 

It was the first time that I didn’t minimize myself. Every mile I fought hard for it. There was no one that could tell me that I had it easy. I saw each participant battling their own mental space to keep going. 

Through every academic success I’ve had, it’s been soured with comments like: “it’s easy for you” “you’re just smart” “you have help from your husband” Every projection of why someone couldn’t possibly do what I did. 

The beliefs of others begin to weigh you down. And you begin to believe them. 

Despite the struggle you went through to achieve your goals. 

You feel shame for even going after the goal in the first place. 

Instead of feeling proud of yourself. So, as you begin to step into your career growth. Those same beliefs begin to creep in. 

❌ That you can’t have the career you want. 

❌ That you should be grateful for the job you have. 

❌ That you should stop dreaming because you have bills to pay. 

❌ That you only made it because “it was easy” 

All of these leading you to believe that you can’t do hard things. 

It’s easy to think, where there’s a will there’s a way. It’s deeper than that. It’s more than just hard work. It’s self belief. 

You’ll keep hitting the same mental road blocks until you decide to recognize them for what they are. Your secret self-doubt. Your shame. Your guilt.

Careers are not linear.  The old way of thinking that if you do your time and work hard that eventually you’ll be promoted isn’t how it works.  Careers are a reflection of ourselves.  If you’re not having the success you want, take a look in the mirror.  

Your beliefs are holding you back. 

That’s the cold harsh truth.  Your beliefs are holding you back.

The good news. You can change them.

But only if you are willing to take a deep dive into what is behind your beliefs then you can have the success you are wanting. 

So ask yourself, are you willing to do the hard work? 


Are you ready for 1:1 Coaching? Schedule a Discovery call with me to learn more about how I can help you overcome your mindset blocks.  

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