Regain Control of Your Thoughts and Build Self-Belief

Regain Control of Your Thoughts and Build Self-Belief

Emotions

Regain Control of Your Thoughts and Build Self-Belief

If you find yourself doubting your decisions at every turn and shying away from opportunities because you feel like you’re not good enough, it can seem like you’re holding yourself back from reaching your full potential. Learning how to foster positive self-belief is critical for shaking off your inner critic and climbing the ladder of success.

In this article, we’ll explore the psychology behind self-belief and how you can boost your confidence in yourself.

What is self-belief?

Self-belief is all about your ability to trust in your capabilities. If you’re faced with an obstacle or opportunity, how do you react? If you fear rising to the challenge because you worry about failure and judgement, you may be experiencing lower levels of self-belief.

Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy shows how our beliefs in our capabilities can have a direct impact on how well we function and how we respond to the events that affect our lives. Positive self-belief can lead to you feeling more motivated and improve your wellbeing. Rather than feeling undeserving, you’ll be able to relish in your personal achievements and feel accomplished. 

What’s holding you back?

According to the NHS, low self-esteem commonly starts in childhood, with the message of being ‘not good enough’ often having a greater impact than positive ones. Stress, illnesses and bereavement can also have a significant impact.

Dwindling self-belief can cause us to avoid:

  • Trying new things
  • Putting ourselves forward for new roles or promotions
  • Confronting challenging or difficult situations

Learning to regain control

Spiraling negative thoughts can lead to depression and make it harder to focus. It can also leave you more susceptible to using unhealthy habits as coping mechanisms, reinforcing your inner doubts and fears.

Here are three ways you can boost your self-belief:

  1. Remind yourself of positive affirmations, whether it’s writing them down in your journal (link to blog) or saying them to yourself outloud. You could choose one each week from this list to focus on.
  2. Push yourself to confront what you fear, for example sending in a proposal even if you feel you might be rejected because you’re not good enough. Putting yourself out there will make you realise that even if you get rejected, it’s not the end of the world. You can learn from the experience and you’ll get valuable feedback. 
  3. Use a mindful meditation (link to blog) to help calm your anxiety and stay in the present moment. . This can help you to distance yourself from negative thinking patterns and instead focus on the reality of the situation.

Rewiring your brain to stop these negative thought patterns isn’t always easy, but it’s possible. Taking steps to increase your confidence, build up your self-belief and regain control has many benefits for your work and personal life. You’ll be braver in seeking new career opportunities, develop deeper connections with your colleagues and hush your inner critic. 

Win your social anxiety battle

Are you constantly feeling like you’re being judged by the world and his wife? Would you like to learn how to overcome your social anxiety through easy-to-follow steps?

In this Wellbing Support course, you’ll learn new ways of regaining control over your thoughts, unlearn old thinking habits, and take a different perspective on life. In time, your self-belief will be back, enabling you to pursue more social opportunities and live life to the full.

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Paul – Lead Account Manager

Working alongside Dr Yates, Paul ensures that services are well organised, accessible and delivered with care.

Paul oversees client relationships and supports the smooth running and development of YPS, helping individuals, families and organisations feel confident and supported from first contact onwards.

Paul’s focus includes:

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Paul leads on client relationship management, service coordination and organisational development. Paul works closely with schools, families and partner organisations to ensure clarity of communication, timely delivery and high service standards.

He supports referral pathways, contractual arrangements and long-term partnership development, helping ensure services remain consistent, reliable and professionally delivered.

Outside of work, Paul’s main passion is Walking Football. He plays for East Devon, Devonshire County, and South West County. His biggest achievement is having trials with the Over 50s England Walking Football group in 2025. He also enjoys restoring and driving classic cars. 

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Joseph - Assistant Psychologist

BSc Hons in Tourism Management, Tourism, and Business Management, MSc Psychology Conversion, MSc Occupational Psychology

Working under the clinical supervision of Dr Yvonne Yates, Joseph supports the assessment and development of psychological services across the organisation.

Joseph’s work focuses on:

  • Supporting psychological assessment processes
  • Assisting in the preparation of structured reports
  • Contributing to the development of wellbeing and learning resources, and delivering training
  • Supporting data organisation and research-informed practice
  • Assisting with service delivery coordination

He has a strong interest in evidence-based psychology and values clarity, structure and ethical practice.

Outside of work, Joseph enjoys spending time with his springer spaniel, Willow, and going for long walks with her and the family. When he can, he hits the ski slopes on his snowboard, and he also likes ice-skating. 

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Dr Yates - CEO, Lead Psychologist

HCPC-Registered Educational Psychologist | Founder, YPS Psychology Ltd

Dr Yates has speciailist expertise in ADHD, depression, anxiety, learning differences (SpLD), and emotional wellbeing with children, young people, and adults.

She holds a Doctorate in Psychology (University of Manchester) and has extensive experience delivering:

• Educational psychology assessments, including ADHD and SpLD
• Mental health assessment and therapy
• Social skills and emotional regulation support

Dr Yates has worked in public organisations, including, schools, the NHS, and local authorities, and in private practice, for universities, colleges, and therapy healthcare bodies, such as, AXA PPP and Bupa. 

She is the author of Human Givens Therapy with Adolescents (Jessica Kingsley Publishers) and has published peer-reviewed research on adolescent wellbeing.

Her approach combines evidence-based psychology with practical, real-life strategies that help individuals feel calmer, more confident, and better equipped to succeed at school, university, and work.

Outside of work, Dr Yates is an avid crocheter and is also quite partial to silent discos. She looks forward to spending evenings by the fire, and watching movies with the family whilst creating her latest crochet piece.