The Little Engine That Almost Didn't
- Bryan Rudolph
- Aug 3
- 3 min read
Believe you can and you're halfway there. — Theodore Roosevelt
If self-doubt had a front porch, I suspect many of us would have rocking chairs reserved there.
We'd stop by every morning.
Someone would hand us a glass of sweet tea and say,
"So...tell me again why you probably shouldn't try."
We'd happily list our reasons.
"I'm too old."
"I'm too quiet."
"I'm too sensitive."
"I don't know enough."
By the second glass of tea, we'd have convinced ourselves we should probably just reorganize the pantry instead.
Again.
The funny thing about self-doubt is...
It almost never tells the truth.
It simply speaks with remarkable confidence.
As quietly ambitious women, we often believe confidence is something people receive before they begin.
But life doesn't usually work that way.
Confidence is less like a prize you win and more like a houseplant. #Commision Earned
It grows because you keep watering it.
Not because you stare at it and whisper,
"Please become magnificent by Tuesday."
Here are three gentle ways to grow a little more belief in yourself.
1. Borrow Confidence From Your Future Self
Imagine yourself one year from today.
She's a little wiser.
A little calmer.
She's learned a few things.
If she could visit you today, do you think she'd say,
"Play it safe. Don't even try."
Probably not.
She'd smile.
Pat you on the shoulder.
And remind you that she only exists because you took the first step.
Sometimes believing in yourself simply means believing in who you're becoming.
2. Stop Collecting Evidence Against Yourself
Have you noticed how quickly we remember every awkward conversation from the past decade?
Meanwhile...
We completely forget the compliments.
The wins.
The obstacles we've already overcome.
Our brains are like overly enthusiastic detectives who specialize exclusively in finding reasons we're not good enough.
Maybe it's time to fire that detective.
"I handled that."
"I learned from that."
"I survived something I once thought would break me."
Those stories are true, too.
3. Take One Tiny Brave Step
Belief doesn't usually arrive carrying balloons and confetti.
It shows up quietly.
Often disguised as one small decision.
Send the email.
Make the phone call.
Sign up for the class.
Raise your hand.
Or simply tell yourself,
"Maybe I can."
That tiny sentence has launched more dreams than we could ever count.
Theodore Roosevelt didn't say,
"Believe perfectly."
He simply encouraged us to believe.
That's good news for the rest of us.
Because belief doesn't have to be loud.
It doesn't have to be fearless.
It only has to be strong enough to help you take the next step.
So today...
Leave self-doubt rocking gently on its front porch.
You have somewhere else to be.
Your future is waiting.
And she's been cheering for you all along.
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