Sometimes Our Insecurities Get in the Way of Our Potential

By The Powers Forma

There are opportunities we miss because we lack the necessary qualifications.

And then there are opportunities we miss because we've convinced ourselves we're not qualified.

There is a BIG difference.

Sometimes the greatest obstacle standing between where we are and where we could be isn't a lack of ability, experience, or potential.

It's our own insecurity.

It's the voice that says:

You're not ready.

Someone else knows more than you.

What if you fail?

What if people don't take you seriously?

Who are you to think you can do this?

Those thoughts can be incredibly convincing—especially when you're stepping into something new.

But feeling unsure of yourself doesn't necessarily mean you're unprepared.

Sometimes it simply means you're growing.

Insecurity Has a Way of Disguising Itself as Logic

One of the most difficult things about insecurity is that it doesn't always sound like insecurity.

Sometimes it sounds incredibly reasonable.

“I should probably wait until I have more experience.”

“I'll apply next time.”

“I need another certification first.”

“I want to learn a little more before I put myself out there.”

“I'll start when I have everything figured out.”

Preparation is valuable. There are absolutely times when we need more knowledge, experience, or training.

But there is also a point where preparation becomes protection.

We keep preparing because preparing feels safe.

Taking the opportunity doesn't.

And if we aren't careful, we can spend years getting ready for something we were capable of beginning a long time ago.

Stop Requiring Yourself to Know Everything

This can be especially challenging in leadership.

The higher you move in an organization, the more likely you are to encounter situations you've never handled before.

There will be conversations you haven't had.

Decisions you haven't made.

Problems you haven't solved.

Responsibilities you've never owned.

That doesn't mean you don't belong there.

Leadership isn't about walking into every situation already knowing the answer.

Some of the strongest leaders I've encountered are comfortable saying:

“I don't know yet, but I'll figure it out.”

They ask questions.

They surround themselves with knowledgeable people.

They listen.

They learn.

And then they make the best decision they can with the information they have.

You don't need to know everything to be capable of leading.

Confidence Doesn't Always Come First

We often think the order looks like this:

Confidence → Action → Success

But real life frequently works differently.

It looks more like:

Action → Experience → Growth → Confidence

You apply before you're completely certain you're qualified.

You speak up even though your voice shakes a little.

You accept the responsibility you've never had before.

You start the business.

You present the idea.

You ask the question.

You make the decision.

You take the chance.

And every time you do, you collect another piece of evidence that says:

Maybe I can do this.

Confidence isn't always something you find before taking the next step.

Sometimes it's something you build because you took it.

Be Careful How You Compare Yourself

Insecurity also grows quickly when we start comparing our beginning—or even our middle—to someone else's highlight reel.

We see someone's promotion without seeing the years that led to it.

We see the successful business without seeing the months when nobody was buying.

We see the confident executive without seeing the first time they walked into a leadership meeting wondering whether they belonged there.

We see the result.

We rarely see all the uncertainty that came before it.

Someone else's success isn't evidence that you're behind.

It can be evidence of what's possible.

What Are You Talking Yourself Out Of?

This might be the most important question:

What would you do differently if you weren't worried about failing?

Would you apply for the position?

Ask for the promotion?

Change careers?

Start something of your own?

Share your idea?

Speak up in the meeting?

Set a bigger goal?

Take on the project?

There may be legitimate reasons not to do some of those things.

But make sure insecurity isn't making the decision for you.

Because there is a difference between saying:

“I'm not ready.”

and

“I've never done this before.”

The second doesn't automatically mean the first.

Your Potential Requires Some Discomfort

Growth almost always asks us to spend some time being uncomfortable.

You're going to do things you're not very good at yet.

You're going to make mistakes.

You're going to look back and realize you would handle something differently now.

That's not evidence that you shouldn't have tried.

That's evidence that you're learning.

Some of the experiences that shape us the most begin with feeling completely unsure of ourselves.

You don't have to eliminate every insecurity before moving forward.

You just have to stop allowing those insecurities to make every decision.

Take the Next Step Anyway

You may not feel ready.

Take the next step anyway.

You may wonder whether you're capable.

Give yourself the opportunity to find out.

You may worry about what other people will think.

Remember that they don't get to decide what's possible for your life or career.

And you may fail.

If you do, learn from it.

Adjust.

Grow.

Try again.

But don't allow fear of discovering that you can't do something prevent you from ever discovering that you can.

Sometimes our insecurities get in the way of our potential.

The good news is that we don't have to wait for every insecurity to disappear before we move forward.

Sometimes we simply need enough courage to take the next step.

So here's the question I'd leave you with:

What is one thing you've been talking yourself out of that you might actually be ready for?

Maybe today is the day to stop waiting until you feel completely confident—and give yourself the chance to see what you're capable of.