I thought I'd share my process for working with debilitating doubt.

I first did some online research which led to a book of academic papers: The Handbook of the Uncertain Self. In there was an article that reminded me of the REBT—Rational Emotive Behavorial Therapy—tactic of disputing the limiting belief.

I have listed to myself about 6 doubts. For each doubt there are 4 types of disputing: functional, logical, empirical, and philosophical. But each doubt doesn't have to be addressed by each type.

I found a form on the REBT site and filled it in.

What irrational Belief do I want to Dispute and surrender?
Answer: Succeeding at living on my own terms is overwhelming.


Why is this Belief inaccurate?
Answer: !. I have Mobius Mode to use now. 2. I track myself daily on 42 Goals. 3. When I see or feel a buildup of activity I can ease off. 4. I've successfully limited my colds, etc. for years. I can apply the same of similar strategy to this. 5. A lot of what I carry are worries, rehearsals, and reprocessing events. Letting those go will offer more room to live and be free.


Does any evidence exist for the truth of my Belief?
Answer: Some, I've been overwhelmed by good feelings, and crashed. I've been overwhelmed and kept going because I felt excited, and made mistakes.


What is the worst that could happen if I don't get what I think I must have (or do get what I think I mustn't have)?
Answer: Staying away from going for IT!, from risking being overwhelmed, means I'll always feel I cut my chances short. I will feel that I might at least had tried.


What good things could I make happen if I don't get what I think I must have (or do get what I think I mustn't have)?
Answer: I could seek out sponsors, I could borrow funds and pay back, keeping local and quiet later, I could hire help, I could put help on retainer to be there on call.
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The last step that the REBT site doesn't call out is Energy for Action. I feel it. A bit. but it's there.