Self-doubt is the lack of confidence and ability in oneself. Confidence is very important when it comes to cheering and everyday life. It effects your tumbling, stunting, school work, etc. If you stop doubting yourself everything will be less stressful.

Whenever I am tumbling I sometimes lack the confidence I need to be able to complete whatever tumbling skill I’m working on. That’s when the self-doubt creeps in. It then causes my tumbling to go wrong. Once I feel my tumbling isn’t going as good as I want it I tend to get even more frustrated making my tumbling even worse.

My mom and coaches tell me that I need to relax and put whatever negative thoughts I have out of my mind. They tell me to remember that I can do whatever I put my mind to and that the words “I can’t” shouldn’t cross my mind or be part of my vocabulary.  It’s easier said than done sometimes. However, those two little words “I can’t” can be bad for cheer, school, etc.  Whatever you put your mind to you can do it. But with self-doubting there is always something in the back of your mind saying you can’t do something when you really can. This causes fear, which can cause you to get injured or to get the dreaded “mental” block. I’ve been through both the injuries and the mental blocks due to self-doubt.

 

 

 

“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it” (J.M. Barrie)

 

 

 

If you stop doubting yourself you will learn that things aren’t as hard as you originally thought.

You just have to ignore the little self-doubting voice in your head. Even though it seems hard you still should tell yourself that you’ve got this, that you can do it, and more positive things; and believe in the words and you will start achieving your goals. When it happens to me I have a saying that goes “I am wonderfully made and I can do whatever I put my mind to; I can do this, I was made for this!” If you don’t actually believe the words, it will take more time to achieve your goals. Keep strong and believe in yourself because you’re stronger than self-doubt.

 

 

 

“Never let self-doubt hold you captive” (Ray Bennett)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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