The Hidden Barriers of Self-Doubt
What is your self doubt truly costing you? What doors are you keeping closed because of self doubt?
In my latest podcast episode, I sat down with Vicky Shilling, a Self-Belief Business Coach, to uncover why so many women and solopreneurs get stuck. Spoiler alert: it’s often not a lack of ability or the need for another course or more education, but a lack of self-belief.
Vicky is passionate about helping entrepreneurs understand how self-doubt shows up in sneaky ways like procrastination, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. Through her coaching and personal experiences, she’s learned that most business owners don’t need more information—they need the confidence to act on what they already know.
Procrastination Isn’t Laziness—It’s Fear in Disguise
One of Vicky’s key insights is that procrastination isn’t about being lazy. Instead, it’s often rooted in fear—fear of failure, fear of judgment, or even fear of success. This fear keeps us from taking the bold steps we need to move forward. Vicky recently published the results of a survey she undertook called the State of Solopreneur Self-Belief Survey to quantify just how much self doubt is costing us in financial terms and in energy and opportunity.
Meet Your Inner Protector
Vicky introduces a powerful concept: the Inner Protector. The Inner Protector is that voice in your head urging you to play it safe, avoid risks, and stick to what you know. While it means well, it can hold you back from growth. We also talk about the Inner Mentor is the part of you that knows your potential and encourages you to take brave, bold steps.
The Five P’s of Resistance
In our conversation, Vicky outlines the five P’s of resistance—
Procrastination
Perfectionism
People Pleasing
Paralysis
Passive Behaviours
These behaviors often mask deeper fears and insecurities, but recognising them is the first step to overcoming them.
Why Women Struggle More with Self-Doubt
Vicky also touches on why women, in particular, face greater struggles with self-doubt. Societal expectations to be ‘nice’, accommodating, and perfect can amplify feelings of inadequacy. Breaking free from these pressures requires self-awareness, self-compassion, and, most importantly, self-belief.
Actionable Takeaways:
Understand that procrastination is fear, not laziness.
Recognise perfectionism as a form of resistance.
Engage with your Inner Mentor to foster self-belief.
Identify how societal expectations influence your self-doubt.
Prioritise self-awareness and self-care for long-term success.
If you’ve ever felt stuck despite having all the tools and knowledge, this episode will shift your perspective on what’s really holding you back. It’s time to move from self-doubt to self-belief and create the impact you’re meant to make.
Listen to the full episode for more insights and practical tips
