Everyone doubts (returning 6/30)

In response to a kid’s question about how to overcome self-doubt, Jonny Kim, who possess arguably one of the most impressive resumes on this planet as a Navy SEAL, doctor, aviator, and now astronaut, responded:

“Everyone on this stage has had self doubt *pointing to the other astronauts next to him*, it is very human to doubt yourself… everyone is capable of so much more than they think they are. When we showed up here, we all had our doubts but we knew we had each other, the support of our friends, our families, our teachers, and that’s why we’re standing before you today.”

If Jonny Kim has doubts, if his colleagues — all of whom were accepted into one of the most competitive programs in existence — have doubts, then I’d say it’s perfectly normal for you and me to have doubts.

Doubts are not a character blemish or a sign of impending failure, they’re just a normal part of existence.

They need not define you, nor do they necessarily have the power to pull your trajectory in life down.

You can transcend them like a car rolling over bumps in the road. It’s uncomfortable for a moment, but then you just — as is your right — keep going.