#48: 5 Signs Self-Doubt Is Crushing Your Career (And How To Break Free)

Sep 18, 2025

Do you ever feel insecure or question your abilities?

If so, you’re not alone. Even the most accomplished leaders I coach experience self-doubt. So today, I’m unpacking how it could be quietly sabotaging your success.

Self-doubt is one of the biggest barriers to career progression. You feel like a fraud despite evidence of your accomplishments, avoid taking risks or stepping outside your comfort zone.

Over time, your lack of confidence stops you showing up in a meaningful way and you begin to see your self-doubt as a sign you’re truly incapable. All this keeps you stuck, out of action and if left unchecked, can silently stall your career growth for years.

This has major consequences for your career. Self-doubt holds you back from speaking up in meetings, so you fail to get noticed. Or it hinders your ability to develop relationships with senior stakeholders to progress your career.

It may also stop you asking for the pay rise or promotion you know you deserve, applying for the job you want, or making yourself visible to clients to build your network.

After working with hundreds of high-achievers, I’ve seen self-doubt doesn’t always show up as insecurity. Often, it hides in the very behaviours many workplaces reward.

In this episode, I’m sharing five subtle signs self-doubt is crushing YOUR career. You’ll discover how to build the confidence you need to realise your full potential.

You’ll learn:

  • Why striving to be ‘perfect’ is a major source of self-doubt and how taking imperfect action will help you break free
  • How ignoring what you WANT in favour of what you ‘should’ do is sabotaging your career success — and what to do about it
  • When hard work is a sign of self-doubt and the ONE mindset shift to help you draw the line with overworking
  • Why being talented can become your biggest career block — and what to do when self-doubt kicks in to avoid quitting too soon
  • How to stop constantly comparing yourself to others and move forward with confidence

So hit play now — and let’s dive in!

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