‘I‘m just not sure I’m going to able to do it…’ comes the slightly despairing voice through my earphones. ‘We never seem to be able to get through the red tape and get it done…’ [Cut to forlorn-looking client blinking at the screen].

In my coaching and consulting life, one thing comes up time and time again: belief.

Whether it’s the behaviour change that’s going to ignite our leadership or delivering that project that nails our goals – we don’t always believe it’s possible.

We find ourselves wavering from our desired course of action, not because we think it’s the wrong way to go. But because the scale of what it will take feels intimidating. And that’s when the doubt creeps in.

We focus on all the things that we don’t think we can do. Or the reason’s we couldn’t deliver it.

We start to sit low in our seat. Grind our teeth. Perhaps feel a teeny bit woozy… and we’re defeated before we even start.

You’ll have probably heard me bang on before about your instinct. I’ve told you to listen to it, because it’s the sum total of all your experiences. Therefore, worthy of some attention.

I mean, when was the last time you looked back and wished you hadn’t listened to it? Do you regret driving that big project forward that was critical to the business? Or trying a positive habit? Can’t think of anything immediately can you…?

So, when you have a clear idea of what you need to do. When you have a vision or a goal you want to achieve. And your instinct tells you it’s right…

Resist the urge to panic it away.

You can talk yourself into or out of anything

I’m a firm believer in that idiom.

So, if there’s something you want to do, why not talk yourself into it?

I know, I know. You’re going to tell me it’s not that easy.

But could it be?

Next time you’re thinking about all the reasons it won’t work. All the scary practical considerations. All the hurdles you have to clear…

I have one ask for you: don’t!

The blood, sweat and tears it takes to get anything worth having is not rationale not to do it.

• Use the practical considerations to help with the planning and to-do list.

• Use the possible problems as risks you need to head off in advance.

• Use the unknowns as opportunities to get new thinking involved – tap up your team and your confidantes. And do your research.

But don’t let it overwhelm you or convince you it’s not the right course.

Because you’ll never make the big leaps or achieve the career highs by boxing yourself into what’s easy to do or treading the path that’s clearly laid out.

I mean where’s the fun in that, right?