Tim Ferriss

The Prescription for Self-Doubt: Watch This Video

Business icons, superstar professional athletes, billionaires — it doesn’t matter how rich or how accomplished — I’ve had them all tell me the same thing…

There are moments when you feel the world is too much. Days and even weeks when you want to (or perhaps do) pull up the covers and half-sleep in bed until nightfall, avoiding a feeling of hopelessness that seems insurmountable. Long-awaited deals fall through without warning, haters attack you without reason or fact, circumstances turn good decisions into awful realities — sometimes it just feels like the deck is stacked against you and there is nothing you can do about it.

I’ve felt the same on more than a few occasions, and more are coming.

Entrepreneurs in particular seem prone to feeling on top of the world one minute, only to feel crushed by it the next.

To this breed, I assure you all: in our species, it’s normal.

It’s an integral part of building anything remarkable, whether a business, a relationship, or a life. Expanding your sphere of comfort and abilities comes with a cost: repeated self-doubt.

I thank my mother for forwarding me the above video to put things in perspective. In your moments of self-doubt, I encourage you to watch it and meditate on all of the things you’ve done that you once considering impossible. The odds you’ve overcome, the critics you’ve proven wrong, and the small defeats that — through making you stronger and smarter — made huge victories possible later.

Get back up. Bigger and better things are waiting for you.

Related and suggested reading:

Harnessing Entrepreneurial Manic-Depression: Making the Rollercoaster Work for You

Depression: How You Label Determines How You Feel

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saxmachine05
saxmachine05
9 years ago

I’m with you Tim 🙂

Scott Fox
Scott Fox
9 years ago

Wow! Thanks Tim!

Solidworks
Solidworks
9 years ago

Damn I always cry on that one!

caribbeanprincess
caribbeanprincess
9 years ago

How inspiring!! Thank you!

Daniel C Folkers
Daniel C Folkers
9 years ago

Shoot, that was a remarkable message. Thank you (and thanks to your mother) for sharing.

Sam
Sam
7 years ago

…And he has a gorgeous wife and kids now! Life can be tough sometimes and we all have our challenges. Nick is an amazing leader and proves that we can overcome. Thanks for sharing.

sjrcollins
sjrcollins
6 years ago

Just wanted to say that is Tim! Since listening to you and jocko podcast I feel like anything possible and it’s always comforting to know that the people you admire have similar feelings that you have yourself. And for that just wanted to say that is again!!

mukeshrijhwani
mukeshrijhwani
5 years ago

love it


Coyote

A card game by Tim Ferriss and Exploding Kittens

COYOTE is an addictive card game of hilarity, high-fives, and havoc! Learn it in minutes, and each game lasts around 10 minutes.

For ages 10 and up (though I’ve seen six-year olds play) and three or more players, think of it as group rock, paper, scissors with many surprise twists, including the ability to sabotage other players. Viral videos of COYOTE have been watched more than 250 million times, and it’s just getting started.

Unleash your trickster spirit with a game that’s simple to learn, hard to master, and delightfully different every time you play. May the wit and wiles be with you!

Keep exploring.