
Dr. Steele (third from left, back row, as you look at photo) with his practice team. Dr. Steele says that overcoming fear has been an essential key to his success as a practice owner.
Boosting self-confidence to achieve your goals.
By Kurt T. Steele, OD
July 17, 2024
I used to be one of the most timid, self-doubting people you ever met. Anyone could say anything, and it would instantly ruin my day.
As a fourth-year student at the Southern College of Optometry, a staff doctor chewed me out for not looking professional and messing up a case. That day, I made a conscious decision to not let that ruin my day: I refused to be a negative person anymore.
I vowed to become one of the most optimistic and positive people in the world. And I did it. To this day, I no longer let fear or negativity dictate my decisions.
As I reflect, my fear often stemmed from two sources. First, the feeling of not being good enough. Everyone around me always seemed to have their act together better than I did. But the truth is, we all have our battles, successes and failures.
Emphasize the Positive
Perhaps most importantly, avoid negativity at all costs. In my experience, negativity is the quickest way to derail success. I can handle mistakes, especially honest ones, but negativity breeds anxiety, stress, and brings everyone down. We must quickly remove ourselves from negative influences.
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Set Realistic Goals
So, how can we transform self-doubt into confidence and success? First, set realistic goals. Analyze your situation and identify areas for improvement. Make sure your goals are achievable, and celebrate those successes along the way.
Be Kind to Yourself
Practice self-compassion. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone fails, and you will too. Embrace those failures as learning experiences. More importantly, celebrate your wins, both personally and with your team.
Embrace Failure
Fear of failure is a major component of self-doubt. This fear can lead to missed opportunities, stagnation, lack of growth and low self-esteem. To counteract this, carve out time for self-reflection. Find a mentor or coach who has been there and done that to guide you toward success.
Remember, the only truly bad ideas are the ones we don’t try. Embrace failure, learn from it and celebrate your successes. By setting realistic goals, practicing self-compassion and embracing failure, you can conquer self-doubt and achieve your full potential.
Self-doubt is a natural part of the human experience, but it doesn’t have to control you. By understanding its roots, and implementing the strategies outlined in this article, you can quiet that inner critic and embrace your true potential. Remember, you are capable, you are worthy and you have the power to achieve your dreams.
The rewards for overcoming self-doubt are happiness and the ability to build the business of your dreams. In my case, it meant building a practice generating $3,600,000 in annual revenues with a net profitability of 28 percent.
Don’t let self-doubt dim your light. Step out of the shadows and into the sunshine of self-belief. Your journey toward a more confident, empowered you starts today.

Dr. Steele and his wife.
Kurt T. Steele, OD, is a partner of Vision Source of Newport in Newport, Tenn., and the founder of the coaching firm Legit Vision P.L.L.C. To contact him: idoc2316@gmail.com
