Overcome Self-Doubt and Procrastination

It’s funny. Today, I sat down at my desk to make a video about how much business owners in the UK can pay themselves through salary and dividends. I intended it to be a straightforward, practical guide. But, oddly enough, I couldn’t bring myself to hit the record button. I took a deep breath and wondered what was going on. Why was I feeling so unsure? It’s not just today; I’ve been feeling this way for a while.

Instead of the planned video, I felt driven to share this experience. Maybe making this video is what I need to find my courage and get back into the routine of recording videos regularly. Who knows? It’s kind of ironic, though. There’s a big sign behind me that says “Fearless.” You’d think being fearless would mean just hitting record and posting that video to YouTube, turning me into a successful business coach. Yet, I couldn’t do it. I just couldn’t hit the record button for that video.

How Does Self-Doubt Work?

It’s really interesting how self-doubt can creep in. I’m not sure what it’s all about. It’s not like I’m procrastinating. I’ve got the equipment—the camera, lighting, and microphone. I’ve made hundreds of videos over the years, both for Fearless Business and back when I ran my old agency. So, it’s not a question of whether I can do it. I think there’s something deeper going on inside.

This kind of struggle is something many business owners face. Right now, we have 130 members in The Fearless Crew, my group program. These are fantastic business owners from all sorts of backgrounds and cultures, with clients all around the world. As a coach, I encourage them to take on various tasks to boost their businesses—things like attracting more clients, raising their prices, marketing, having sales conversations, speaking engagements, writing blog posts, and more. Yet, just like me, many of them hit a wall. Even the ones who are experienced and have been at it for years can suddenly find themselves stuck.

Acknowledging Your Own Self-Doubt

For the past three years, I’ve been battling with self-doubt. I’m sharing this not for sympathy but because I know it might resonate with some of you. If you’ve ever faced self-doubt, drop a comment and share your experience. There might be someone who can help you work through it.

I’ve been running Fearless Business for seven years and have written several books, including two bestsellers. My book “Online Business Startup,” the red one, has sold around 15,000 copies worldwide over the past nine years. It was a bestseller on Amazon for three and a half years and even competed with Daniel Priestley’s books in the Small Business and Entrepreneurship category. I’ve built credibility, worked with hundreds of businesses, and maintained a six-figure income for seven years. I’ve achieved a lot, yet sometimes, I still struggle to press record on a video. It’s not about laziness or not knowing what to say—it feels like something is physically stopping me from hitting that button. It’s mentally exhausting.

What Triggers Self-Doubt?

Maybe it’s because I’ve made hundreds of videos over the past seven years. I’ve uploaded countless clips to my YouTube channel and shared content in my Facebook groups. Running my business remotely means I spend most of my time in my little studio here in Cals, even though I do see some clients in person. Maybe I’ve just reached a point where I’m feeling a bit burned out on making videos.

Here’s some radical honesty: I think my discouragement comes from feeling like I haven’t gotten the results I think I deserve for all the hard work I’ve put in. I know I’ve had a positive impact—people reach out to me daily to say how my content has helped them. It’s not just about money. When I look at my YouTube channel, I see I have 2,430 subscribers. I’m thankful for every single one and appreciate all the support. Still, part of me can’t help but compare and feel a bit disheartened.

Is it Normal to Have Self-Doubt?

You might judge me for this, and that’s okay. I’m the Fearless business coach, and I’m open to facing challenges. I see peers in my field who are doing similar work, and they have tens or even hundreds of thousands of subscribers. I admit I haven’t been as consistent lately, and I know my content hasn’t been top-notch recently. There was a time when I was pumping out a lot of content, but the results I hoped for didn’t come. That gap has really affected my motivation.

Making and uploading a video isn’t a huge effort, but I can’t help feeling I should have ten to twenty thousand subscribers by now. Maybe these thoughts seem selfish or just a sign of my own internal struggles.

It’s really tough when you put so much into a project and don’t get the results you were hoping for. I see other authors landing deals with big publishing houses while I’ve gone the self-publishing route. I’ve thought about traditional publishing, but past experiences with my books have left me feeling drained. I’m working on a new book, with about 28,000 to 30,000 words written and 8,000 more to go. Yet, I’m struggling to find the energy to finish it.

Does Everyone Have Self-Doubt?

I’m just like anyone else. Even though I’m the Fearless business coach, I’m still human and face the same challenges, thoughts, and feelings as other business owners. My strategy is to focus on doing the small tasks well each day. I take great pride in my work, and even if the results aren’t immediate, I believe in the long-term value of what I do. Since my family depends on my business income, every effort I make feels even more important.

One thing that’s helped me is taking pride in finishing even the smallest tasks daily. For example, making your bed might seem minor, but it sets a positive tone for the day. That small win builds momentum for the next task. Right now, I’m making this video, which isn’t the one I planned to create, but I’ll make sure to record the other video soon.

Sometimes, when I push others to create videos, podcasts, and similar content, I feel a bit out of sync. I think, “You haven’t put out a podcast or video in a while or written a book lately. Who are you to tell others to do this?” But I’ve gained so much from these activities over the past seven years. Right now, I’m just feeling a bit tired and unmotivated. I need a break, some space to recharge, and then I’ll get back to creating content like I used to.

Also Read: 5 Easy Daily Mindfulness Practices

How to Overcome Self-Doubt?

For me, keeping the quality of my content high is really important. If I put out something that’s not up to my standards, it bugs me. So, whenever I record a video, I want it to be just right. The tricky part is that I know how well these activities work. If you keep creating content—like 100 episodes of a podcast or regular YouTube videos—you’ll build up followers and clients. Writing books also helps attract clients. I’m committed to sharing these strategies with my clients because I know they work.

There’s a difference between being Robin White, the business coach, and Robin White, the content creator. If I can motivate and inspire others to improve their businesses and personal brands, that’s a win for me. If I have a rough day, that’s okay. Over the past couple of years, I’ve learned not to be too hard on myself. Many people might not see the struggles I’ve been through. I focus on doing small tasks well, and when I step up, I aim to make a real impact. Especially in high-stakes moments like coaching or speaking, I give it my all. As Gary Vaynerchuk puts it, “I show up with my game face on and deliver as much value as possible.” That’s what people pay for, and I love being a part of that. For other tasks, I’ve learned to be patient and wait for the right time to dive in.

What to Do When Self-Doubt Shows Up?

If you’re feeling self-doubt, low motivation, or struggling to follow advice from coaches, mentors, or online experts, it’s perfectly fine to take a break. Sometimes stepping back and recharging is exactly what you need.

Instead of pushing yourself to the point of burnout, try pausing for a bit. When you’re burnt out, you’re not helpful to anyone. Taking a short break can make a big difference. For example, I recently took a holiday, and it really refreshed me. I even had a couple of coaches cover for me while I was away. These breaks can help you come back with renewed energy and the quality you want to maintain.

That’s what I wanted to share. This is partly my own experience, but I hope by talking about it, others who might be feeling the same way will find it helpful. In this video, I’ve shared some strategies I use to manage self-doubt, my inner critic, and fluctuating motivation.

Does Self-Doubt Have Physical Symptoms?

Another thing I’ve been focusing on is my fitness. After catching COVID-19 in March 2020, my health took a hit, and then I had to have ankle surgery. Getting back into shape from being inactive for so long has been tough, but it’s taught me a lot about perseverance. Even if I can’t follow my physiotherapist’s advice perfectly, doing a little bit consistently is better than doing nothing at all.

I remember my first bike ride after the surgery. I could only manage seven miles, compared to the 40-50 miles I used to ride. But sometimes, starting small is necessary.

This experience has also influenced how I approach YouTube, videos, and speaking. I want to be more authentic and consistent with what I say and do. If I call myself an author, I should be writing books. If I say I’m a YouTuber, I should be making videos. If I’m a blogger, I should be blogging. It’s important to practice what I preach, especially when giving advice to others.