Have you ever felt trapped by self-doubt or overwhelmed by negative thoughts about yourself? In this episode of Shrink for the Shy Guy, Dr. Aziz explores how our minds play tricks on us, creating distorted beliefs that undermine our confidence. But what if you could flip the script? Learn why these mental patterns exist, how they hold you back, and what you can do to reclaim your confidence. Whether you’re navigating social anxiety, professional insecurity, or just want to feel more self-assured in your day-to-day life, this episode offers insights that will shift your perspective and help you step into your best self. Tune in now!

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Confidence can seem elusive at times, especially when you’re constantly battling inner doubts and self-criticism. But what if I told you that you can trick yourself into feeling high confidence? Now, I know this might sound strange at first. "Tricking yourself?" you might wonder. Isn't that just being fake? Well, let's take a deeper look at how this actually works—and how it can help you break free from the cycle of self-doubt.

The Power of "Tricking" Yourself

The concept of "tricking yourself" isn't about being dishonest or pretending to be something you're not. Instead, it's about flipping the negative, distorted thoughts you have about yourself and intentionally replacing them with a more positive, empowering narrative. Think of it as a fun little game, where you reprogram your brain to believe in your capabilities, even when your inner critic tells you otherwise.

If you’re skeptical about this approach, consider this: We’re already tricking ourselves every day. Most of us are walking around with an internal narrative that tells us we’re inadequate, unlikable, or just not good enough. These thoughts aren't grounded in reality—they're just distorted beliefs we’ve bought into. So why not "trick" yourself into the opposite?

Why We Do It: The Safety Police

There’s a part of us that keeps us safe from discomfort—the "safety police" inside. It wants to protect us from potential pain and failure, so it distorts our reality to prevent us from taking risks. This is why we might assume that we're awkward, unworthy, or destined to fail in social situations. The safety police uses this distorted thinking to keep us from putting ourselves out there. But by tricking ourselves into believing that we are worthy and capable, we bypass this fear and begin to act with confidence.

Real-Life Example: The Power of Perception

Let me share a story from one of my clients. He and his friends were at a club, dancing, and he felt extremely self-conscious. He imagined that everyone around him thought he was awkward and uncomfortable. But after the night ended, he casually asked someone he had danced with if they thought it was awkward. To his surprise, she said it was great! That moment clicked for him. All the negative thoughts he’d had were simply made-up stories, and once he let go of those fears, he could enjoy the moment without the burden of self-doubt.

This is how our minds work: we create stories, usually negative ones, about our abilities and how others perceive us. The trick is to flip the script and start making up positive, empowering stories instead.

How to Put It Into Action

Identify a Negative Story: Think about a situation where you typically feel insecure or self-conscious—maybe it’s speaking up at meetings, going on a date, or trying something new.

Flip the Script: Now, reframe that situation. Instead of imagining how awkward or unlikable you are, make up a story where everything goes smoothly. For example, instead of thinking, "I’ll probably mess this up," tell yourself, "I’m confident and capable. I’m going to do great!"

Practice It Regularly: The more you practice this technique, the easier it will become to automatically think in a positive, empowering way. Eventually, you’ll find that these new beliefs start to feel just as true as the old, negative ones.

The Takeaway: It’s All Made Up Anyway

Here’s the thing: We are always telling ourselves stories—about ourselves and the world around us. Most of the time, those stories are negative, but there’s no rule saying they have to be. You have the power to reframe your inner narrative and make up something that serves you, not something that holds you back.

So next time you’re faced with a situation that triggers your self-doubt, remember: It’s all made up anyway. Why not make up a story that helps you feel confident, capable, and worthy of success? You might be surprised at how powerful this simple shift in thinking can be.

You can start today. Trick yourself into believing that you are awesome—and watch how quickly your confidence follows.