S2 Ep2 | Understanding Self-Doubt and Its Manifestations with Vicky Shilling
Good Honest Talk Season 2
We often think that building a successful life, career or business is all about knowledge and being the best, finding the plan, building the most efficient systems. What if the real challenge is nothing to do with your ability at all? What if it’s self-belief?
In my latest podcast episode with Vicky Shilling, a Self-Belief Business Coach, we dive into the hidden barriers that hold us back, particularly as entrepreneurs.
Vicky shares how self-doubt shows up in our lives as procrastination, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. It’s not that we don’t know what to do—it’s that we don’t believe we can actually do it.
Procrastination is about Protection, Not Laziness
One of the most powerful takeaways from our conversation is that procrastination isn’t about laziness. It’s fear or protection wearing a different mask. Protection from failure, judgment, and even fear of success can all manifest as “I’ll do it tomorrow.”
Meet Your Inner Protector
Vicky introduces the concept of the Inner Protector, a voice that lives inside of us all. The Inner Protector wants to keep us safe, shielding us from risk and discomfort. But it’s working with this protector rather than fighting it that that leads to real growth.
“You don’t need more strategy. You need more self-belief.” - Vicky Shilling
Earlier this year, Vicky released the results of a survey she carried out to quantify what self doubt is actually costing us.
The results uncovered some surprising truths about how pervasive self-doubt is, its impact, and how solopreneurs are learning to overcome it.
The Five P’s of Resistance
We explored the five P’s of resistance:
Procrastination
Perfectionism
People-Pleasing
Paralysis
Passive behaviours
Recognising these patterns in your life is the first step toward shifting from self-doubt to self-belief.
“Motivation comes and goes, we're human beings." - Vicky Shilling
Why Women Face Unique Challenges
Vicky also highlights why women, in particular, struggle with self-belief. Societal pressures to be ‘nice,’ accommodating, and perfect can amplify self-doubt. Understanding these dynamics helps us break free from the invisible barriers holding us back.
What we discuss:
Why procrastination is fear in disguise
How perfectionism sabotages progress
Practical mindset shifts to overcome self-doubt
The importance of self-awareness for personal growth
How to engage with your Inner Mentor for lasting change
Vicky Shilling is a Self-Belief Business Coach, helping solopreneurs change their beliefs so they can make more sales and more impact.
She loves honest chat about self-doubt, the true feelings and emotions of running your business and sharing tips and tools to help solo business owners become True Experimenters when it comes to taking bold steps to do the work they love.