A checkpoint named Doubt

So I've admittedly taken a few trips to doubtland this week. I looked around and saw a lot of reasons why I should just give up. I'm building a mental health app. What? Why? Well suffice to say I'm not even close to creating what I want yet. I've done a lot of research, talked to some initial contributors, started prototyping, and now I feel like I'm at an important checkpoint. Let's call it 'doubtpoint 1'. So if you're here with me, I've written up some things you can do before turning back in a hurry.

Accept, Ground, Align, and Commit. Let's go.

1. Accept. Accept that there are thoughts that are not good for you. As indiehackers or entrepeneurs in our attempts to scratch our own itch, our brains can often end up sabotaging us (personal story). The same brain that motivates us is the one beats us up over things we have no control of right this moment. When we choose to Accept, it's literally a key that unlocks a door to what's actually possible in a very practical sense because we're not avoiding or controlling, and that's a much better place to act from. So I implore you to accept where you are right now, even if you feel or think like sh*t. You're imperfect just like ~9billion other people. And that's a great thing. Still with me?

2. Grounding. For a minute imagine yourself at the top of a tree, in the middle of a hurricane. You've found yourself at the top in an attempt to improve or achieve something or another. It's human. But when we're responding to others' successes, how much someone's making, how smart others appear to be etc., we're caught up in this hurricane not realizing that we are in fact rooted in the ground. We always have a choice to climb back down for some R+R before climbing up again, fully recharged. Before we get grounded, find a place where you're not distracted for a few minutes and make your way through this checklist:
   [ ] SLOWLY take a few deep breaths.
   [ ] Place your feet firmly on the ground (preferably standing) and slowly stretch out and move your arms, your wrists, and your body
   [ ] What 4 things you see around you.
   [ ] What 3 or 4 things you can hear.
   [ ] What can you smell?
   [ ] Notice what you are doing.
   [ ] Pick up something (ideally something that brings you joy) and physically feel the detail and texture of it.

Feel a bit more grounded?

3. Align What's important to you right now? What do you value? This one's tricky because when we think about what's important we often think about goals, and things we want to achieve. But what we value are things that are not subject to the goals we have, but to our intention and orientation to those things. For example, I value being authentic and finishing what I start right now, as I write this post. Your values should support you and serve as guideposts to being your best self.

4. Commit We are finally ready to take meaningful action. When you have a sense of what's important to you right now you can focus and commit to actions that do a better job of achieving your goals. It could even be one thing. But whatever is, it'll be informed by what's actually important to you, instead of something you're reacting to, avoiding or controlling. Now go kick some ass.

I think I'm finally ready to head off to the next checkpoint. Doubtpoint 1 has served its purpose. I hope that you have taken this opportunity to accept where you are, get grounded and connect with what's important for you wherever you are.

PS. I'd love to know if this helped you!