Stop Judging your Ideas

The human brain's tendency to doubt itself, often referred to as self-doubt, is a natural cognitive mechanism that has evolved over time. It serves as a protective function, helping individuals assess risks and uncertainties in their actions and decisions. While this cognitive bias can be beneficial in some situations, it can also hinder personal growth, creativity, and confidence if left unchecked.

Several studies have shed light on the neurological basis of self-doubt and how it influences human behavior. A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience in 2016 by Kikunosuke Onozawa and his team explored the relationship between self-doubt and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a brain region associated with decision-making and cognitive control. The research revealed that the ACC becomes more active when individuals face uncertainty, leading to increased self-doubt as the brain tries to assess potential risks and rewards.

While self-doubt may have adaptive benefits in certain situations, excessive self-doubt can lead to a lack of self-confidence, reluctance to take risks, and missed opportunities for personal growth and development. It can also be a significant factor contributing to imposter syndrome, where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as frauds despite evidence of their competence.

5 actionable tips to combat self-doubt that I actively use:

• Create safe space: My family was very critical of me making it as an illustration artist along with a full-time job. While they supported me, it didn’t help that they didn’t believe in my potential. Talking to other creators and artists in the same space has helped me reach my potential and embrace my growth. Surround yourself with like-minded people.

• Mull over your criticism: just postpone your criticism, and allow the idea to marinate and evolve before evaluating its potential. Sometimes, what initially appears to be an impractical notion can be molded into something innovative and valuable with a fresh perspective.

• Reframe Failure as Learning: Understand that not every idea will be a smashing success, and that's okay. Every perceived failure provides valuable insights and lessons that contribute to the refinement of future ideas.

• Engage in brainstorming: Exploring as many different ideas and possibilities as possible before converging on a specific solution. This removes the fear of judgment and helps generate innovative concepts that you might not have considered otherwise.

• Seek Feedback Wisely: Surround yourself with individuals who support and encourage your creativity. Constructive feedback from others can help refine and strengthen your ideas, turning them into actionable concepts.