I doubt it

Doubt-Possibly everyones favourite word. It's a strange thing doubt. Its strange how more often than not, it's difficult to see why people doubt themselves. From the outside it can be difficult to comprehend. That's because I don't think people doubt what they cannot do, but rather what they can. In general most people know what they can't do, so don't do it, or do it with no expectation. Doubt implies a given expectation that will not be lived up to. So why do we doubt?

Firstly i think we all think we are crap. No matter how well we may do at something, no matter how many times people may tell us, often we think we are rubbish. Whether it be academic, or to do with our personality, our likeability or whatever, we fail to see what others do.

In some ways this is a good way to be. It saves us from arrogance and self importance, from pride and a self belief which sets us up to fail. However it has its downsides too. Through merely believing our own opinion of ourselves, we miss out on part of who we really are. We can end up getting quite down at not living up to our own expectations or by comparing our view of ourselves, to our view of other people.

Secondly, i think it is due to the uncertainty we face. At every step there are thing which we have not done before, challenges which we have not previously encountered. These provide a perfect opportunity to question our ability. It is true, that until we try something we can't be sure that we are capable of it, but that's not necessarily a reason to believe that we are incapable.

I think the answer lies in those besides ourselves. Whereas we may have a very negative view, friends offer a far more realistic view of ourselves. That may include some healthy skepticism however will probably also offer a far less doubtful view of us, and our abilities. So next time you want to doubt yourself-go listen to a friend!

Garrr blutak is really annoying. Why does it stick to everything within a 20cm radius of it, including pens, rulers, tables, paper etc, but then the minute you stick it to a wall, it falls off!!