Header Image

Self Doubting's Purpose

September 14th, 2010

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."  Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970).

If you are a consumer of the countless American success formulas, you will know that the vast majority will educate you to remove not all your own doubts but any doubters that may be around you.  You must be certain of the path you have chosen and pursue it relentlessly lest you lose your momentum towards you goal of success.  Doubt is the enemy.

Now there is something I have learnt over my decades on this planet and that there is rarely a human trait or any other animal's for that matter that does not have an evolutionary reason for existence.  Just how many times must scientists state some trait has no value only for it to be retracted months or even years later before we get the hint?  It may not always be perfect, it may be troublesome, but a lot of nature's gifts are there for a reason.

Therefore, doubt must, no doubt, serve its purpose, so to speak.  All living creatures have an overarching purpose, to survive as long as possible in order to procreate as much as possible.  We may think we can overcome this principle with our will until such time as it is tested.  Doubt allows us to examine whatever evidence is before us to ensure that it makes sense and does not pose a danger to our survival.

Self-doubt is the having to examine your actions and your motivations.  Brushing it aside is a recipe for disaster because to be successful you must constantly review your environment and the effects of your last actions and review any assumptions you made about the direction you are traveling.

And so it is for yours truly.  Now that things have sort of slowed down a little and things have not been going according to plan, I find myself re-evaluating the big decision I made a few months.  What's different is that whereas in the past, I would be beating myself up and being miserable, I recognise what is happening and though a bit deflated, I am letting my thoughts sort themselves out for a while.

Until next time, may you find the balance.

[First published on my Talking2Myself blog on specified date]