Struggling with motivation because of self-doubt?

Trying to stay motivated when self-doubt kicks in

Motivation is what drives us toward our goals. Whether you want to be in a better position in your career, exercise more, complete your daily tasks, or even just get out of bed. Some days, motivation is there; you might wake up with good intentions, planning to get through your work, take care of yourself, or simply move forward in some small way.

You might start with a clear goal and your motivation feels strong, but then your energy shifts, that all-too-familiar self-doubt or fear starts to creep in, almost like it’s calling out “choose me”, and it can quickly pull us off track. Before we know it, anxiety builds up, we are spiralling downward, replaying the same old narrative in our minds, and we can end up with that low, heavy feeling that’s hard to explain.

That spiral can feel like a slide; except it’s far from fun. It can seem like there is nothing to hold onto, no grip to help you climb back up. Fear and self-doubt take over, and suddenly you find yourself stuck at the bottom. Finding that spark of hope can feel out of reach sometimes.

You feel stuck. Your thoughts and body begin to change, and you might notice yourself saying things like:

• “This is too hard.”

• “I’m not good enough.”

• “I can’t do this.”

• “I’ve had enough.”

• “What is wrong with me?”

Instead of continuing forward, you might abandon your goal altogether, perhaps starting something new instead, only to repeat the same cycle. And just like that, the energy you had disappears. Even the simplest tasks can feel overwhelming. You might find yourself avoiding things, putting them off, or shutting down completely, and then being hard on yourself for it.

Does this resonate with you?

So, what is happening in that moment?

This is not about laziness or a lack of discipline.

These reactions are there for a reason. They may be part of a long-standing pattern, a “music you learned to dance to” over time.

At one point, this pattern may have served you. But now, it might be holding you back.

Often, this happens when you are trying to cope. These reactions, however uncomfortable, have usually developed over time as a way of protecting you.

The difficulty is, they can also keep you feeling stuck. It can feel confusing and frustrating, especially when part of you genuinely wants to keep going and you don’t understand why you end up on the same path again.

In those moments, instead of pushing yourself harder or criticising yourself, you might try something a little different.

You might want to start by gently checking in with yourself.

·        What is going on in your mind right now?

·        What does your body feel like?

Acknowledge the presence of fear or self-doubt and give yourself permission to pause. Tune into your body and your thoughts. You might feel your heart racing, your muscles tightening, or perhaps a sense of numbness. You may feel like you have no energy at all.

Here are a few gentle practices you might try to reconnect with yourself:

Instead of letting your inner critic take over, try placing your hand on your heart and acknowledging what you feel:

·        “Fear is here.”

·        “Anxiety is here.”

If you feel safe and comfortable, close your eyes for a moment. Notice your body sensations. Listen to the sounds around you, both inside the room and beyond it. You might hold onto something in your hand and start noticing its texture and temperature.

With the weather improving, you might also step outside for a short walk. Spend 10 minutes focusing on your surroundings, the sights, the sounds, the feeling of the ground beneath your feet. Let your attention rest in the present moment rather than in your self-doubt.

These small, quiet moments can help you find that “grip” when you feel like you’re slipping. And the more often you practice them, the easier it can become to move forward again.

If this pattern has been with you for a long time, it’s important to remember that change won’t happen overnight.

Learning to recognise it, finding that “grip” on the slide again and again, and moving forward takes time and patience.

It is not easy work; staying motivated can be exhausting, but the effort is worth it.

Small steps over time can take you to your end goal whatever it might be.

If you would like support

If you’re struggling with self-confidence, in your work, relationships, or day-to-day life, and you’re curious about whether working together could help, feel free to reach out. I offer a free 15-minute consultation to explore how I can support you.