Doubt: The Uninvited Guest on a Wet Monday Morning
It’s Monday morning. It’s grey, it’s wet, and it’s the kind of day that seems tailor-made to test your resolve. You’ve spent months—maybe years—planning this next move. The venture you’ve poured time, thought, and energy into. But here it is: doubt. Creeping in like an uninvited guest and planting itself firmly in your mind.
You feel it, don’t you? That little voice whispering, “What if you fail?” or worse, “What will people think?” It doesn’t take much: a passing comment from a well-meaning (but cynically practical) friend, a hesitation in someone’s voice when you share your plan, or simply the absence of cheerleaders when you need them most.
You’re the FNG. You’re the one embarking on a fresh new start. You’re the one daring to change. But even the most ambitious among us are not immune to the voice of doubt.
Why Does Doubt Hit So Hard?
Doubt shows up for many reasons:
- Realism in Disguise: Friends and colleagues think they’re being “practical” by pointing out all the things that could go wrong.
- Comparison: Scrolling social media can make anyone feel like their progress is slow, their ideas are stale, or their goals are out of reach.
- The Fear of Failure: Because what if it doesn’t work?
On wet Monday mornings, when the world feels heavier and your motivation lower than a puddle in the car park, doubt thrives. It feeds off hesitation, inertia, and the absence of confidence.
So, What Does the FNG Do?
Here’s the thing about doubt—it’s normal. It means you care. It means you’re stepping outside the well-trodden path to try something new. And if doubt’s presence is guaranteed, the FNG’s job is to decide what to do despite it.
- Adopt the ‘What the Hell’ Attitude
When doubt rears its head, there’s a quiet power in simply saying, “What the hell, I’m going to do it anyway.” The truth is, you’ve planned, you’ve thought, and you’ve prepared. You’ve done your homework. Doubt is the noise that fills the silence before you take action.
On a rainy Monday, don’t overthink it—act. Small steps forward silence the noise faster than anything else.
- Remember Why You Started
Take a minute to think back to the moment you decided to make this change. What was your why? Was it freedom, better health, more adventure, or finally living on your terms?
Write it down. Pin it to the wall. Burn it into your memory. Doubt might shake your confidence, but it can’t touch your purpose.
- Focus on the Fresh Start
Here’s the beauty of being the FNG: every day is a fresh start. Yesterday’s worries, mistakes, or hesitations? Learn from them, and move on. Today, you wake up and choose to keep moving forward.
Treat Mondays—not as hurdles—but as opportunities to reset, refocus, and crack on. After all, it’s just another day to prove to yourself that you can do this.
- Shut Out the Cynics
There will always be people who project their fears onto you. Their doubts say more about them than they do about you. Surround yourself with people who encourage, not discourage. And if those people are in short supply? Be your own cheerleader.
Set a small goal for the day, smash it, and build momentum from there.
- Action Kills Doubt
Paralysis is doubt’s best friend. When you stand still, doubt feels bigger, louder, and more convincing. But when you act—even if it’s a tiny step forward—you shrink its power.
Send that email. Make that call. Lace up your trainers and start moving.
The FNG’s Monday Manifesto
Doubt might knock on your door, but it doesn’t get to move in. Not today. Not on this wet, miserable Monday.
You’re the FNG. The fresh new guy. The person who’s choosing to start again—to build something better, healthier, and more meaningful. The one who dares to change, even when doubt tries to hold you back.
So, you feel the doubt. You hear it. And then?
You say, “What the hell, I’m doing it anyway.”
Every day is a fresh start. Today is yours. Keep going, FNG. The world might feel grey, but you’ve got a fire to light.
And once you do, even Mondays won’t stand a chance.
Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can be as simple as dedicating a few minutes each day to meditation or deep breathing exercises. The FNG suggests starting your day with a mindful moment, setting a positive tone for the hours ahead. Additionally, being present during everyday activities, such as eating or walking, can transform mundane moments into opportunities for reflection and gratitude.
Moreover, mindfulness fosters better relationships. By being more present and attentive, you can improve your communication with loved ones and friends. The FNG believes that cultivating mindfulness is a journey worth embarking on, leading to a more fulfilling and connected life.
