Have you ever stopped to think about the things you’re doing now that once felt completely out of reach? It’s amazing how often we achieve things we didn’t think we could—until we actually did.
Maybe it’s juggling work and motherhood when you used to wonder how anyone did both. Or maybe it’s tackling a job you once thought you weren’t qualified for, managing a household during chaotic weeks, or handling a tough situation you never imagined you’d get through.
But here’s the thing: how often do we stop to give ourselves credit for those wins? How often do we pause to think, “Wow, I did something I thought I couldn’t do”?
Most of us don’t. We just move on to the next challenge, the next to-do, or the next big goal.
It’s like we’re so busy climbing the mountain that we forget to turn around and see how far we’ve already come. We barely notice all the proof we’ve collected that we’re capable of more than we think.
So here’s the question: if you’re already doing things that once felt impossible, what’s stopping you from tackling the next “impossible” thing? Is it the doubt creeping in? Is it the fear of failure? Or maybe it’s the worry about how to make it happen?
Sometimes it’s not just the big, life-changing goals that feel overwhelming—it’s the smaller, everyday things too. Like finally organizing your time, prioritizing yourself, or making space for something you’ve always wanted to try.
Those things can feel impossible when you’re already stretched thin. But what if they aren’t as far out of reach as they seem?
Doubt is part of the process—there’s no way around that. But what if doubt isn’t the problem?
What if the real key is learning to move forward with the doubt, instead of waiting for it to disappear? What if doubt is just a companion on the road to something greater?
And here’s another question: what would you do if you knew you didn’t have to figure out the “how” before you started? If you could take one step forward today, trusting that you’ll discover the next step along the way, what might that look like?
Sometimes we get so stuck trying to plan everything out perfectly that we forget something important. We’ve already proven we’re capable of figuring things out as we go.
Life rarely gives us a clear roadmap. But it does give us plenty of opportunities to try, learn, and grow.
You’ve already overcome so many things you thought you couldn’t. Why not let that be the evidence you need to believe in yourself for whatever comes next?
Let’s talk about what it really takes to do the impossible—not by avoiding doubt or fear, but by embracing the journey and celebrating every win along the way. Ready to take a closer look? Let’s dive in.
This week, I’m going to discuss how doubt isn’t the obstacle to doing the impossible and how to believe in yourself, not just the goal.
Doubt isn’t the obstacle; fear of failure is
Have you ever thought about how often doubt shows up in your life? It sneaks in when you’re trying to finish a work presentation while also making sure your kids have everything they need for tomorrow’s school trip.
Or maybe it’s when you’re folding laundry at midnight, wondering, “How am I going to keep up with everything tomorrow?” It’s that familiar feeling of questioning whether you can manage all the moving pieces in your life.
But here’s the thing—doubt isn’t what stops you. If it were, you wouldn’t get through those chaotic days when everything feels like it’s piling up.
You keep going because you know the work matters, even if you’re not sure how it will all get done. Somehow, you figure it out, one step at a time.
So why does doubt feel like such a problem when it comes to bigger goals? Maybe it’s because those goals come with a fear that’s harder to ignore—the fear of failing.
Let’s say you’ve always wanted to start a side business, but you’re worried about whether you can handle the time commitment. Or maybe you’ve thought about signing up for a class to learn something new but wonder if it’s worth the effort.
For most of us, these moments come with a flood of “what-ifs.” What if I mess it up? What if I’m not good enough? What if this doesn’t work out?
Fear of failure has a sneaky way of making everything feel bigger and scarier than it is. It whispers that it’s safer to stay where you are, even if staying put means giving up on something you care about.
It convinces us to avoid taking risks and stick to what we know we can handle. But avoiding failure doesn’t mean avoiding discomfort—it just means missing out on growth.
Think about the last time you tried something and it didn’t go as planned. Maybe you set a boundary with your workload but ended up working late anyway.
Or maybe you tried to support your child through a tough moment and felt like you got it all wrong. Did those moments really ruin everything? Or did you learn something you could use next time?
Failure isn’t the end—it’s feedback. It’s a chance to figure out what works and what doesn’t so you can make adjustments and try again.
Without failure, you’d never grow or get closer to the things you want. It’s the lessons in failure that make success possible.
What’s really holding you back isn’t doubt or even failure—it’s the fear of how failure might feel. Disappointment. Embarrassment. Maybe even regret.
But those feelings are temporary. They come and go, just like every other emotion you’ve experienced and survived.
You’ve felt all of those emotions before and kept going. You’ve handled tough family moments, long workdays, and plenty of situations where nothing went as planned.
What if the only thing standing between you and your next big step is being willing to feel uncomfortable for a little while? What if discomfort isn’t a sign you should stop but proof that you’re moving forward?
Doubt will always be there, but it doesn’t have to stop you. The fear of failure will, too.
But when you decide that those things aren’t a reason to stay stuck, you’ll start to see what you’re really capable of. And that’s where real progress begins.
So, if fear of failure isn’t the end of the story, what’s the real key to moving forward? It starts with shifting your focus—from trying to believe in the goal to believing in yourself. Let’s explore why that makes all the difference.
Believe in yourself, not just the goal
When you think about going after something big, what’s the first thought that comes to mind? For most of us, it’s a mix of excitement and panic.
We focus on the goal and immediately start wondering, “How am I going to make this happen?” The idea of figuring everything out all at once can feel overwhelming.
But here’s the truth: you don’t have to know how yet. Believing in yourself is far more important than believing in the goal.
Think about when you first started your job or became a mom. Did you have everything figured out on day one?
Of course not. You believed, at least a little, that you could learn as you went. You made mistakes, adjusted, and got better over time.
The same is true for anything you want to do. It’s not about having the perfect plan—it’s about trusting that you can take the first step and figure out the rest as you go.
Let’s say you’ve been dreaming of starting a side business or carving out time for a passion project like writing a book or learning to bake. It’s easy to think, “I’ll do it once I know exactly how to make it work.”
But waiting for the “how” is like waiting for the stars to align—it rarely happens. If you’re always waiting for the perfect moment, you’ll miss all the opportunities to get started.
Or maybe you’re trying to navigate something more personal, like finding time for yourself amidst the chaos of work and family. You might think, “I don’t know how to make self-care a priority when there’s so much else to do.”
But believing in yourself means trusting that even small changes can make a difference. It’s not about revamping your entire routine—it’s about starting with what’s possible today.
What if you stopped worrying about whether you’ll get it perfect and focused on what you can do right now? What if you trusted that each step—whether it’s carving out 15 minutes for yourself or signing up for that class—will teach you what works and what doesn’t?
Think about the challenges you’ve already faced, like managing a complicated project at work or getting through a sleepless night with a sick child. You didn’t know exactly how you’d handle it at the start, but you did.
And those moments are proof that you’re capable of more than you think. They show you that even when things are hard, you find a way to move forward.
Believing in yourself also means being willing to fail and keep trying. If you can’t yet believe a goal is possible, you can still believe in your ability to take action and adapt.
For example, let’s say you want to finally run that 5K you’ve been putting off. Maybe you worry about not being ready or not finishing.
Instead of focusing on the finish line, focus on what you can control—lacing up your shoes, taking the first run, and building from there. Every small action builds momentum and confidence.
And what if you don’t reach the goal the first time? That’s okay, too. Sometimes the real win isn’t achieving the goal—it’s becoming the kind of person who keeps showing up, even when it’s hard.
Believing in yourself isn’t about blind optimism. It’s about trusting that you can handle the ups and downs, learn from the experience, and keep moving forward.
And along the way, it’s about celebrating the small wins that remind you you’re making progress. Each step is proof that you’re capable of more than you imagined.
Questions to consider
Question: “What’s something I’m already doing now that I once thought was impossible?”
Take a moment to really think about this one. There’s probably something in your life right now—whether it’s juggling work and family, managing a tough project, or just keeping it all together on busy days—that you once thought you couldn’t handle. Reminding yourself of those wins is so powerful. It’s proof that you’ve done hard things before, even when they felt impossible at the start. Why wouldn’t you be able to do the next one?
Question: “What small step can I take today toward something that feels out of reach?”
You don’t need to have the whole plan figured out right now. Just think about one small step you can take today—something simple, like researching that certification you’ve been thinking about, blocking off 15 minutes of “me time,” or even just writing down your goal. Small steps lead to big momentum. Trust me, you’ll feel so much better just knowing you’ve started.
Question: “What’s the worst that could happen if I try and it doesn’t work out?”
I know this one can be uncomfortable to think about, but stick with me. If you try and it doesn’t work, what’s the worst that could happen? Maybe you feel disappointed, embarrassed, or frustrated—but you’ve felt all those things before and come out the other side just fine. Those feelings don’t last forever, and the lessons you learn along the way are always worth it.