We all have doubts. Can I do this? Can I figure it out? Am I valuable in this job? Do others respect me?
Doubts can hang over you like a storm cloud in tornado alley, waiting to rain hell on you at any moment. However, doubts are actually healthy if they are used properly. Think about them like “protective pessimism.” They keep you alert to things that could get in your way.
Once you look at them in the bright light of reality and see them for what they really are, decide if you need to do something about those doubts. For example, if you are unsure of your knowledge, work to shore up those gaps. The reality is, in many cases, we need to discharge those doubts like a bad cold. Ask yourself: Are my doubts reflecting reality? Are they valid? Are they useful?