I recall a very memorable video call I once had years ago, with one of my best friends, Sakxay.
Both of us had graduated from university and were embarking on our young careers as motivational coaches.
At the time, Sakxay was dominating the social media space.
He was growing his brand rapidly as a Lao motivational icon, was racking up thousands of views online and had published a book called ‘The Path: 5 Life-Changing Mindsets For A Happier Life’.
He was truly a gem of the Lao community – making a difference every time he speaks.
During the call, we were discussing the fears, uncertainties, and doubts that were part and parcel of being an entrepreneur.
At the time, I was doing some research on self-doubt. Not just for my training, but to find solutions to overcome my own problems with self-doubt.
When I asked him what are some of his doubts, he paused.
He stared at the wall…
…looked around the room…
…gave it a little bit more thought…
…before finally blurting out: “Nothing! I have no doubts!”
It was a moment I will never forget.
And I knew from his expression that he wasn’t being arrogant about it.
He looked as if he’d just made a self-revelation.
It was an honest answer. He honestly couldn’t recall feeling doubtful about anything recently.
Astonished, I asked him why he felt that way.
And his reply blew me away.
He said: “I do not doubt that I will succeed because I am one of the crazy ones.”
“I am crazy enough to wake up at 5 am to work on my goals.
I am crazy enough to give advice on Facebook even at a young age.
I am crazy enough to finish a book a week.
I am crazy enough to publish a book at 21.
I am crazy enough to think that I have the power to transform people’s lives…”
“When you are that crazy – you have no time to feel doubt. You move forward. And it’s only a matter of time before you succeed,” he added, with a thousand-watt smile.
I laughed.
The Crazy Ones
The moment he mentioned ‘crazy ones’, I was immediately reminded of Steve Jobs’ Think Different Campaign – a famous monologue that goes:
Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. But the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.
I use this quote all the time in my workshop slides.
The principle is simple: if you do what everyone else is doing, you will get what everyone else is getting.
It’s only when you’re ‘crazy’ enough to be bold and do things differently when you will get ‘crazy’ results.
You don’t have to be crazy enough to change the world.
You just need to be crazy enough to change yourself.
And sometimes all it takes is one small ‘tweak’ in mindset: to demand a little more from yourself.
If you can do 10 push-ups, I can’t guarantee you’ll be able to do 100.
But you can definitely do 11.
Because life is so unpredictable. The only guarantees you have… are the ones you are willing to make.
What Guarantees Can You Make?
Self-doubt is normal and it happens to the best of us.
It can strike us at any moment, at times when we are wishy-washy or uncertain about our objectives.
The opposite of doubt is confidence. And the essence of confidence is a certainty.
That said, the question to ask is, when you’re feeling doubtful – what can you be certain about?
In fact, what can you guarantee and be 100% certain about?
Can you guarantee that you will wake up early to crush the day?
Can you guarantee that you will do what it takes, even if you don’t feel like it?
Can you guarantee that even after people slam their door at you a hundred times, you’re just as enthusiastic at Door No. 101, as you were at Door No. 1?
Most people are full of self-doubt. I doubt myself from time to time as well.
It’s just that the ones who don’t doubt – simply have no time to feel doubt.
They’re too busy taking action… even if they are full of doubt!
Now I can’t guarantee that I’ll have achieved all my dreams and ambitions by 30.
But what I can guarantee is that even at 60, I would still do what I love and strive to be the best version of myself.
No matter how long it takes.
What guarantees can you make for yourself today?
Summary
If you do what everyone else is doing, you will get what everyone else is getting.
Demand a little more from yourself, even if you may be feeling doubtful that you will succeed.
To overcome self-doubt, become absolutely certain about your commitments. Ask yourself: what guarantees can you make for yourself?
I recall a very memorable video call I once had years ago, with one of my best friends, Sakxay.
Both of us had graduated from university and were embarking on our young careers as motivational coaches.
At the time, Sakxay was dominating the social media space.
He was growing his brand rapidly as a Lao motivational icon, was racking up thousands of views online and had published a book called ‘The Path: 5 Life-Changing Mindsets For A Happier Life’.
He was truly a gem of the Lao community – making a difference every time he speaks.
During the call, we were discussing the fears, uncertainties, and doubts that were part and parcel of being an entrepreneur.
At the time, I was doing some research on self-doubt. Not just for my training, but to find solutions to overcome my own problems with self-doubt.
When I asked him what are some of his doubts, he paused.
He stared at the wall…
…looked around the room…
…gave it a little bit more thought…
…before finally blurting out: “Nothing! I have no doubts!”
It was a moment I will never forget.
And I knew from his expression that he wasn’t being arrogant about it.
He looked as if he’d just made a self-revelation.
It was an honest answer. He honestly couldn’t recall feeling doubtful about anything recently.
Astonished, I asked him why he felt that way.
And his reply blew me away.
He said: “I do not doubt that I will succeed because I am one of the crazy ones.”
“I am crazy enough to wake up at 5 am to work on my goals.
I am crazy enough to give advice on Facebook even at a young age.
I am crazy enough to finish a book a week.
I am crazy enough to publish a book at 21.
I am crazy enough to think that I have the power to transform people’s lives…”
“When you are that crazy – you have no time to feel doubt. You move forward. And it’s only a matter of time before you succeed,” he added, with a thousand-watt smile.
I laughed.
The Crazy Ones
The moment he mentioned ‘crazy ones’, I was immediately reminded of Steve Jobs’ Think Different Campaign – a famous monologue that goes:
Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. But the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.
I use this quote all the time in my workshop slides.
The principle is simple: if you do what everyone else is doing, you will get what everyone else is getting.
It’s only when you’re ‘crazy’ enough to be bold and do things differently when you will get ‘crazy’ results.
You don’t have to be crazy enough to change the world.
You just need to be crazy enough to change yourself.
And sometimes all it takes is one small ‘tweak’ in mindset: to demand a little more from yourself.
If you can do 10 push-ups, I can’t guarantee you’ll be able to do 100.
But you can definitely do 11.
Because life is so unpredictable. The only guarantees you have… are the ones you are willing to make.
What Guarantees Can You Make?
Self-doubt is normal and it happens to the best of us.
It can strike us at any moment, at times when we are wishy-washy or uncertain about our objectives.
The opposite of doubt is confidence. And the essence of confidence is a certainty.
That said, the question to ask is, when you’re feeling doubtful – what can you be certain about?
In fact, what can you guarantee and be 100% certain about?
Can you guarantee that you will wake up early to crush the day?
Can you guarantee that you will do what it takes, even if you don’t feel like it?
Can you guarantee that even after people slam their door at you a hundred times, you’re just as enthusiastic at Door No. 101, as you were at Door No. 1?
Most people are full of self-doubt. I doubt myself from time to time as well.
It’s just that the ones who don’t doubt – simply have no time to feel doubt.
They’re too busy taking action… even if they are full of doubt!
Now I can’t guarantee that I’ll have achieved all my dreams and ambitions by 30.
But what I can guarantee is that even at 60, I would still do what I love and strive to be the best version of myself.
No matter how long it takes.
What guarantees can you make for yourself today?
Summary
If you do what everyone else is doing, you will get what everyone else is getting.
Demand a little more from yourself, even if you may be feeling doubtful that you will succeed.
To overcome self-doubt, become absolutely certain about your commitments. Ask yourself: what guarantees can you make for yourself?