How many opportunities have passed you by, not because you were unqualified, but because you convinced yourself you were? Sometimes, the biggest obstacle standing between us and growth is not lack of skill, experience, or potential, but the quiet voice within telling us we are not enough. Before life even gives us an answer, we already tell ourselves “no.”
What you are about to read will have you asking yourself some questions that are below the surface. Promise yourself you will answer them as honestly as you can.
Let’s begin.
Have you ever come across a job advert for a really cool role? First, you smile and say aloud, “Sure, I can do this!” Your eyes move down to the job description, and you find yourself mentally checking the boxes of what is required for a successful candidate. But then you see one requirement, and you instantly disqualify yourself.
Your rationale is that you do not have what is required to succeed in the role. This is your cue to stop disqualifying yourself from opportunities.
Now, think about this for a moment. The application is left unsubmitted because you already determined the outcome and convinced yourself that you are not good enough or worthy of being hired for the role.
But the deeper question here is: Who told you that you are not good enough?
Personally, I have come to realise how easy it is to fall into this trap. So, I am here with a gentle reminder: do not disqualify yourself. You are gold.
Let me tell you a story.
A couple of years ago, I began The Big Little Things Podcast, and very often, I doubted my ability to sound polished. I felt insecure about my voice and had several thoughts that it might not be as audibly appealing as other podcasters’.
Still, I persisted.
I continued recording podcast episodes to pass on my message and inspire at least one person.
Thankfully, I did not give up. Over time, I began receiving feedback and testimonials from listeners about how relevant the episodes were to their growth.
But the icing on the cake came years later when I attended a Masterclass for Podcasters hosted by an amazing lady called Mercy. During a conversation, I mentioned that I had always felt my voice was not perfect. To my surprise, she said she had never thought that. She went on to praise my podcast and shared how it had inspired her to begin podcasting herself.
Imagine for a moment if I had never recorded that podcast. I would never have had the opportunity to inspire listeners or even those quietly watching me from a distance.
How many people may have somehow been shortchanged because you decided to disqualify yourself?
Oftentimes, you are focused on how imperfect or unqualified you are, yet outsiders are looking at how capable, gifted, or qualified you are at the very thing you do. Stop disqualifying yourself. There is gold on the inside of you. You carry greatness within you.
Make a Mindset Shift From Disqualifying Yourself
Perhaps you have already made a list of reasons why you do not qualify for a new relationship, job, business, or growth opportunity.
Perhaps you have experienced negative circumstances in the past — a failed relationship, a rejection email, moments where you were not appreciated, a disability, or even a business that did not do so well.
Think about it: what is your reason for disqualifying yourself?
Your ability to recognise and name the reason will keep you from sabotaging your own progress.
Is it fear of success? Fear of failure? Fear of looking inexperienced or like a novice?
Positioning yourself instead of disqualifying yourself begins with a mindset shift. You have to examine your current beliefs and see whether they align with God’s Word concerning you.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7
You need to shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset Most times, when you disqualify yourself, you are actually rejecting an opportunity to grow. If you only pursue opportunities that are completely within your reach or ones you are already perfectly qualified for, then you are not giving yourself enough room to grow.
Preparation Builds Confidence
Every time you prepare, you are positioning yourself for success. When you prepare yourself for opportunities, you become more confident stepping into rooms. The best kind of preparation is the one done before the opportunity presents itself.
Anticipate a Yes, Not Always a No
If you knew you would receive a positive response to a request, you would not hesitate to make it. But often, you assume you will receive a negative response, and that assumption affects your posture, confidence, and willingness to even try. Learn to treat “no” as part of the process and not a full stop. If you receive a no, then you also receive an opportunity to reflect, improve, and become better prepared for the next time.
See Yourself Differently
From today, put aside all the reasons that have held you back from putting your best foot forward. You need to change how you see yourself. When was the last time you paused to admire your own qualities and achievements? The more you put yourself out there, the more your confidence will grow.
One Final Reminder
One of the best gifts you can give yourself is the decision to keep learning and keep growing.
The fact that you are reading this already says something about you: you are a continuous learner, and that is a beautiful thing. The mindset of a learner acknowledges both what she knows and what she is yet to know. So, when you come across an opportunity that aligns with you, even if you do not meet every single requirement, allow yourself to reach for it.
Acknowledge the areas where you still need to grow, prepare yourself, keep learning, and most importantly, allow the judges to qualify you instead of disqualifying yourself first.
