Welcome to a new blog post from the Grundl Leadership Institute on the topic of distinctions. Today, I have brought along a distinction that has accompanied me throughout my life: doubt on the one hand and certainty on the other. If you look up the definition of doubt in Wikipedia, you will find words such as "ambivalent, torn, indecisive." But you will also find the word "concern."
GO FOR IT!
Doubts have accompanied me for as long as I can remember. Whenever decisions need to be made, they arise.
Am I making the right decision? Am I sure about this? These doubts sometimes become irrationally large and have actually led me to not make any decisions at all in the past. Which, as we know, is also a decision.
As I see it, the topic of doubt tends to be ignored or extremely downplayed in the market, especially when it comes to personal development. When I listen to some self-proclaimed experts, I hear phrases like "Go for it! You can do anything you want." These are interesting statements, and I often think about them. I always ask myself: these supposedly successful people who are living the life of their dreams and showing it to everyone else on Facebook or Instagram... Did they wake up one morning, get up, and simply start a business or a career without the slightest doubt? Didn't they also have concerns and secretly, deep down, wonder, "Is what I'm doing right?"
Winners don't doubt
I believe these people also have doubts. I read a book with an interesting title. Some of you may be familiar with it: "Winners don't doubt, and doubters don't win!"
An interesting statement. Personally, I think doubt is a good thing. Doubt helps us keep our feet on the ground. There is even a theory that says: without doubt, there is no insight. This means that if we don't despair over our doubts, we can actually work well with them. For example, or especially when it comes to making decisions. Because those who doubt, think. Those who doubt do not take everything for granted. Are you familiar with this feeling of nagging doubt? Do you know those sometimes sleepless nights before making a decision? Personally, I think they are good because they help me make better decisions.
When I started my own business in 2006 right after graduating, I had my doubts too. Of course I did, but I thought: What's the worst that could happen? I'm putting $40,000 of borrowed capital into my company, building it up, and even if it goes wrong... I'm young, I can pay it back somehow. Deep down, I had an inner certainty that countered my doubts. At the time, I said to my best friend: "I started my own business with €40,000 from the bank. Imagine I buy a car and drive it into a wall without insurance. Then I'll just have 40,000 euros in debt and have to pay it back somehow." That was my explanation at the time, perhaps a little naive, with which I justified my actions. In fact, I failed after two years.
So my doubts were justified. I hadn't looked into them closely enough. Never mind. The result was: failure – 40,000 euros in debt.
Doubtful certainty
Today, the debts have been repaid. I have a family, my own house, and I am the sales manager here at the institute. So somehow I managed it after all. On the other side of the doubts, there was this inner certainty. Something inside me knew that if it went wrong, I would have to bear the responsibility the consequences—and, in the worst case, make the best of it.
Even today. For example, when we commit to a sales target as a team at the beginning of the year, there is initially a lot of doubt. Because it's a big number. Sometimes that inner confidence comes shortly afterwards, sometimes only along the way. Then, when the first results become visible and are heading in the right direction. For me personally, these experiences are worth their weight in gold. They show that I can trust myself and my abilities. That I can build on this inner confidence. Despite the doubts that are always there in my mind.
Today, I understand this inner conflict, this apparent contradiction, these opposing poles of doubt and inner certainty better and better. How I can transform them, even dissolve them.
At the institute, we talk about doubtful certainty. What a powerful expression. How do these words make you feel—what do you think about this distinction?
And you?
When was the last time you had serious doubts and concerns? When were you sure that you could do it, that you could handle it?
I'm sure you, reading this right now, are familiar with this state of mind. This doubtful certainty. You know full well that you can rely on your abilities and the circumstances you create for yourself. When you have doubtful certainty, you know for sure that you can do it, that you will achieve your goal, that you will get the result you want. You don't know how, and it's not a question of if, but rather when.
I wish you this doubtful certainty for your next big or small decision. May you become the best person you can be! If you are interested in learning more about our distinctions, I recommend the new edition of the book:
Understanding does not mean agreeing!
It's teeming with distinctions! If you like these posts, you'll love this book. I look forward to your feedback and comments about your own experiences with the distinction between "doubt vs. certainty."
May these distinctions provide you with better guidance in life going forward, and may your life become your best teacher. All the best.
Yours, Jochen Hummel
