Overcoming Self-Doubt: A Guide to Creating a Vision for Your Future
Imagine having no more self-doubt and not being cautious of people's opinions of your potential.
If you're at a loss when you try to plan your future, there may be several reasons for this:
The possibility of the future seems so big that you find it hard to commit to some plans. You might feel like facing the present is too painful because of your past experiences. You may be lost for ideas for the future. This could be because you've been depressed or anxious, which can make it difficult to think about anything other than the present.
It could also be because of trauma in your past, which means you're afraid to face your future due to fear that it will be the same as your past. You may have suffered from some sort of abuse or neglect during childhood, and so now find it hard to trust anyone or commit yourself to anyone.
You can't commit to plans because you're afraid of being disappointed again. This might be because you've had so many plans fail before (perhaps because they were too ambitious) that now you don't expect anything good ever to happen again.
If you're at a loss when you try to plan your future, it's time to reframe. Let's look at what's causing this overwhelming sense of loss and how you can face yourself in the future instead of repeating your past habits which aren't helping you move forward.
Sometimes, you will feel overwhelmed and lost about the future. Your worries of the future will seem unending and scary.
Start small. Think about just one year out. And I do mean ONE YEAR. Break this time into seasons and weeks. Then, think about what you want in each season or week or day. It may seem simple but you may never have thought to do things this way before. You may have an idea now of how the next year will go or feel but life is a fluid process so try not to be rigid with your expectations. Be ready to let go of plans if needed because things often take unexpected turns and detours along the road to your happy ending.
Having a plan makes it easier to make decisions, and easier to know what is going on in your life. Having a plan means having a direction, setting goals and working through steps towards those goals.
How To Create A Vision For Your Future
You need to find balance between short-term and long-term goals.
Have realistic expectations for yourself.
Set realistic timelines for your goals.
When you find yourself at a loss, start by brainstorming all the things you want to do and can see yourself doing in the future.
Don't forget to consider practical matters -- If you aren't sure how much something will cost, don't make a plan that depends on it.
Go back to your childhood dreams to help you remember what really matters to you and what you really want.