Fixing the Leaks: How to Stop Self-Doubt from Ruining Your Career

Fixing the Leaks: How to Stop Self-Doubt from Ruining Your Career

Imagine a pipe, strong and sturdy, built to carry water from one place to another. It’s doing its job well—until, over time, tiny leaks start to appear. At first, they’re barely noticeable. A small drip here, a slow trickle there. But as the leaks grow, the water pressure weakens, and instead of a powerful, steady flow, the pipe starts to fail.

This pipe? That’s your career. And the leaks? Those are the doubts, fears, and limiting beliefs that creep into your mind over time.

The Hidden Leaks in Your Mind

Maybe you’ve been told at some point in your life that you’re not good enough. Maybe you’ve convinced yourself that there’s always someone better, smarter, or more deserving of success. Perhaps you’ve fallen into the trap of believing that your circumstances are fixed, that where you are now is just where you were meant to be.

1. “I was destined to be in this situation.”

2. “It’s my fault the boss doesn’t like me.”

3. “I’m not as good at my job as others.”
   

These thoughts act like small holes in your pipe, slowly draining your confidence, holding you back from stepping up, asking for more, or going after what you truly deserve. And over time, without even realising it, you’ve accepted that this is just how things are.

But here’s the thing: you are not broken. Your pipe just needs a few repairs.

Patching the Leaks: Rewiring Your Thinking

Fixing a leaky pipe doesn’t happen all at once. You don’t just slap on some tape and hope for the best. You go leak by leak, sealing each one carefully until the water flows smoothly again. The same applies to your mindset.

Step by step, thought by thought, you can start to replace those old, unhelpful beliefs with something stronger:

1. Instead of "I'm not good enough," try "I have unique strengths that make me valuable."

2. Instead of "There are better people than me," try "There is no one who can do what I do, the way I do it."

3. Instead of "It’s my fault I’m stuck," try "I have the power to change my situation."
   

This process takes time. Some of these leaks have been there for years, built from childhood experiences, past failures, or moments of self-doubt that you never fully addressed. But if you start working on them now, one by one, the flow of confidence, self-belief, and success will return.

Let’s Build a Stronger Career—Together

At Inspired Recruitment, we don’t just place people in jobs—we help them fix their pipes. We help you see your strengths, not just your perceived weaknesses. We look at who you are, what you bring to the table, and what environment will allow you to thrive.

We help you patch the leaks—by giving you the tools, the confidence, and the right role where you’re set up for success.

Because once those leaks are sealed, you won’t just be surviving—you’ll be unstoppable.

It’s time to stop letting old thoughts hold you back. It’s time to get your career flowing the way it was meant to. And if you need a hand? We’re here to help.

Let’s get started.

 Mark Goode

CEO Inspired Recruitment

Mark Goode is the CEO of The Inspired Recruitment Group which originated with the inception of Inspired Selections a recruitment agency primarily focused on recruitment in the optical industry before branching out into audiology and pharmaceutical recruitment. New optical opportunities are featured daily here or if you're a business, looking for help with your recruitment needs, get in touch here