8

give doubt a name

idea

We all feel some insecurity inside and the nasty name we call ourselves is simply the label we put on that insecurity. Some of us have only one nasty name for ourselves while others have tons of names.

Emily and Drew

Emily’s lacrosse team finally won a game after four consecutive losses. Instead of praising them, their coach told them, “Don’t let this win go to your heads. You girls are still not ‘good enough’ and the extra practice times are still on the schedule this week.” Emily went home, looked at her pile of homework and thought, “It’s true, I’m not good enough on the field or in school.” Emily has a habit of calling herself, “Not good enough.”

Drew arrived at his friend’s house to pick up the crew and head to a movie. As friends piled into his car, they told Drew that he just didn’t have any sense of style. Drew looked at his shorts and shirt and thought, “What’s wrong with how I’m dressed?” At the movie theater, they ran into some girls they knew. While the others were flirting away, Drew stood awkwardly, thinking, “I have no sense of style.” Drew has a habit of calling himself, “Uncool.”

your turn

Here are examples of what those nasty names might be:

Look through this list a second time and circle the names you call yourself when you are being hard on yourself. Are there any names you use that are not on the list? If so, write them down here:

__________________ __________________ __________________

more practice

It is important to recognize the nasty names you call yourself and know that just because you, or anyone else, calls you that name doesn’t make it an accurate description.

  1. What are your self-doubt labels—the negative ways you describe yourself, such as “I’m an incompetent loser” or “I’m an airhead”?

    Write down your self-doubt labels:

    __________________

    __________________

    __________________

  2. Are these labels one-hundred percent true across the board, in every single situation?

    Circle one answer: YES NO

    If you answered no, you are ready to begin viewing yourself in a more accurate way.

  1. Whether you think your labels are completely true or not, write down five examples of ways your doubt labels don’t fit.

    Examples: I aced my biology test.

    I found the keys I thought I had lost.

    A friend called to ask for my help with solving a personal issue.

    I made my family a delicious dinner.

    I finished all my homework in record time.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

No one’s self-doubt labels offer a complete picture of who they are. Even if they are not particularly good at any one thing, no one is one-hundred percent not good enough.

The Bottom Line: Beware of those nasty names you call yourself and know they are never absolutely true.