5 WAYS TO OVERCOME SELF DOUBT AS A YOGA TEACHER
Self doubt holding you back? Perhaps not feeling 100% confident that you’re a good teacher and finding it hard letting go of self judgment? I know what it's like. I’ve been there. I spent years playing small because I listened to my own inner critic.
Self doubt can show up in many different ways. Maybe you have Imposter syndrome where you’re not feeling you are good enough and comparing yourself to others, maybe you have looming limiting self belief, running stories about not being good enough, not being worthy enough or that you don’t know enough to be teaching yoga.
Not facing this head on could result in…
You suffering with anxiety around your teaching.
It stopping your personality show through in your classes.
That you feel nervous from the moment you say yes to any opportunity.
You’re saying no to opportunities that arise.
You playing small – not showing up as yourself.
Is this sounding familiar?? Well don’t worry…I’ve got you…
Here are 5 ways to overcome self doubt
so you’re able to step forward into your full potential with confidence!
STOP OVER THINKING IT
When you over think your head gets in the way. Potentially running in your mind to the worst case scenario… what if no one shows up, what if they don’t like me, what if, what if….? What if will probably never happen and even if it does then we can learn and grow from every experience.
The most important thing is to lead with your heart and show up as your true self so you can share authentically with your students.
Take the attention off yourself and onto your students and how you are here to serve them. Im going to say that again TAKE THE ATTENTION OFF YOURSELF AND ON TO YOUR STUDENTS!!
This is who you’re here for and as long as you get your attention out of your head and into your heart you’re going to offer something that is going to help your students sometimes more then you know.
2. TAKE IMPERFECT ACTION
Hands up all the perfectionists out there!! Perfectionism is best friends with self doubt. They go hand in hand. And I hate to break this to you but things are never going to be perfect. In fact there is no such thing as perfect. Seriously…a little bit of tough love here for you but if you keep waiting for perfect you will never move forward and the teaching career that you are dreaming about will most likely never come to fruition.
So its time to take imperfect action right now!! As soon as you move into action you gain momentum & will see results. Small, imperfect daily action will lead to results!!
Start to put yourself and the things you’re creating out into the world before you are ready. Just try it. The more you do this, the easier it will become and the more you do this the more you will see results. When you see results your confidence will grow!!
3. EMBRACE & SUPPORT OTHERS DOING SIMILAR THINGS TO YOU
Abundance mindset is key here. Abundance mindset is living from a place of gratitude for everything that presents and that there is enough for everybody.
Dwelling in a lack mentality, that being that there are limited opportunities, stories like ’the industry is saturated’, ’there are so many yoga teachers now how will I ever get work?’ means this will be your reality. All too often it can be very easy to compare ourselves to others, to look at other teachers instagram page or career and feel like you’re in competition, to feel jealous about other achievements. Comparison will feed self doubt.
I am here to tell you that there is room for everyone and there is room for you to do your thing in the yoga world. The yoga and wellness industry is booming and growing by the second and there are a lot of people out there that need the practices of yoga and you can share this with them and help with your heart lead teachings.
So coming together as a community and supporting each other, collaborating together, holding each other up is what its all about. We’re stronger in numbers and the more you support and are generous with others the more they will support and be generous to you.
So what ever your mindset is will be your reality and truth and its up to you what reality you want to create and manifest.
4. ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS NEW
We all start at the beginning when we’re learning new skills, and teaching yoga is no different. If you want to excel at anything in life it takes time, commitment and hard work so keep moving forward and speak kindly to yourself along the way.
Its not always going to be rainbows and unicorns. There will be hard moments and there will be amazing moments. Every moment will help you to move forward. So keep stepping up, keep your blinkers on and do the work and it will get easier.
5. GET SUPPORT
You shouldn’t be doing this on your own. Period!
Being a yoga teacher can be lonely but it doesn’t need to be. And especially being a new yoga teacher can be daunting, confusing and it can feel like you’re winging it constantly, but guess what…it doesn’t have to be that way.
Self doubt can grow when you don’t have a sounding board, constructive feedback, people cheering you on and some guidance on the way.
A big part of having a yoga career is growing your support network and being able to reach out and ask for guidance and help. Grow your network, seek out others that are doing the same thing as you, teacher friends, small biz owners, entrepreneurs. Family friends that can support you and seek out mentors and coaches. The people around you will want to support what you’re doing so reach out and ask for help.
Id love to know which tip you have found most useful and that you’re going to put into practice this week. Let me know by sending me a message on info@amymcdonaldyoga.co.uk. Id love to hear from you.