Mind Spark #32 - Reflections on an Unexpected Win: A Lesson in Self-Belief
- Shujian Zhang
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
On Monday morning this week, before heading to work, I stopped by the gym for a quick workout. As I was finishing, our coach, Mac, asked if I wanted to join the Dead Hang Challenge that Alexandria Real Estate Equities was hosting at all the RTP EXOS gyms for just one day. The winner would get a $50 Amazon gift card.
“Why not?” I thought. I went to give it a try, and managed to hang on to the bar for 2 minutes and 22 seconds. Mac has been cheering for me and helping me with timing. Once done, he seemed excited and said, “You are doing awesome! You might be a winner, you never know or at least be one of the top contenders,” while he wrote down my name and time on the glass wall of the gym.
Honestly, I didn’t think much of it. There are many strong people at the gym, so I assumed someone would easily beat my time. I shared it with my colleague after going to the office and telling them the same thing, "I don't think I can win".
On Thursday morning, I finally got back to the gym. As soon as Mac saw me, he grinned, called me into his office, and handed me a gift card. “Congratulations! You won,” he said.
“What? Really?” I was stunned. I rushed over to check the results board, and sure enough, my name was at the top. I had hung on the longest. It felt unreal. I took a photo of the board and the gift card and sent it to my wife, feeling both disbelief and excitement.
This small, unexpected win lingered in my mind. Why did I assume others would do better than I? And what could this small moment teach me about my mindset in life and work?
It wasn’t just modesty; it was self-doubt pretending to be real. Realizing this made me pause and reflect.
What this experience taught me
This small win wasn’t just about hanging from a bar. It reminded me that self-doubt can hold me back more than any real limitation.
Self-doubt quietly holds us back.
It makes us set lower goals, even when we’re capable of more. It might seem reasonable, but it keeps us from discovering our true strength.
We notice others’ strengths more than our own.
It's easy to think others are better and overlook what we do well. Most of the time, that belief isn’t accurate.
Everyone has their unique strength.
What matters is taking the time to discover it, nurture it, and use it to its fullest potential. At work, that means finding what you’re truly good at and what makes you lose track of time while doing it.
Confidence comes from taking action.
We don’t always have to feel ready; just give it a try. Taking that first step helps us build courage. As the saying goes, “Fortune favors the bold.”
Persistence reveals my true strength.
When we feel like we can’t go on, that’s often when we show ourself that we can.
Trust the process.
Results and recognition take time, but they always begin with showing up and giving our best effort.
A simple challenge turned into a reminder that self-doubt can be louder than reality. Real victories come from persistence and believing in ourselves, not just strength. When you feel uncertain, whether at the gym, at work, or anywhere, try to hold on a bit longer. The real win is overcoming the doubts that once held us back.
We succeed not by beating others, but by quieting our own doubts.
What do you think?
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